Let's talk about the Quesada 40th Anniversary Toro Real - this 6"x65 behemoth comes in boxes of 20 with San Andrés wrapper hugging Dominican/Nicaraguan guts. Priced around $212/box, it's that special occasion smoke with herbal aromatics evolving into chocolate and licorice notes. Perfect for when you want something that starts smooth but packs flavor punches as you work through the 90-minute session.
First Third: That initial draw serves up sweet cedar and black tea notes, minimal pepper. Burns like it's on rails - tight ash holds for 2+ inches. Watch the double-belly shape though, needs solid toasting to prevent canoeing.
Midway Point: Dominican earthiness kicks in hard here. Coffee grounds mixed with raisin sweetness, retrohale gives cinnamon tingle. Not as intense as Padrón Anniversary series, but better balance than many DR puros.
Final Stretch: Leather and cashew butter dominate. Retrohale gets spicy - think ancho chili powder rather than black pepper. Nub burns warm but stays smooth if you pace it. Pro tip: Pair with espresso to enhance the cocoa undertones.
The box-pressed center isn't just aesthetic - helps maintain even combustion despite the 65 ring gauge. Wrapper shows minimal veins but has slight tooth. Found 65% RH works best for storage - keeps the San Andrés leaf from getting bitter in final third.
