This special edition Toro Gordo (6¼"x54) from VegaFina celebrates the 2021 Chinese Zodiac with Nicaraguan Habano wrapper hugging Dominican-Nicaraguan fillers. Priced at $237.60 per box of 16 sticks, it's chunkier than your regular Toro with that 54 ring gauge demanding at least 90 minutes of smoking time. The smooth draw reveals why Grupo de Maestros blenders earned their stripes.
Toasted cashews and cedar jump out through creamy smoke. The draw feels almost effortless, though nicotine-sensitive smokers might already notice slight tingle on the tongue. Burn line stays razor-sharp despite the thick ring gauge.
Caramelized sugar notes emerge alongside black pepper that's more sneeze-inducing than actually spicy. Retrohale brings out baking spices - think nutmeg with a cinnamon kick. Ash holds strong for 1.5" before dropping.
Earthiness ramps up with espresso grounds and damp soil. Some gurgling appears past the halfway mark, requiring a purge. Strength builds to medium-plus, leaving that familiar nicotine hug in the chest.
Rolled in La Romana using Yamasá valley tobaccos cured in Caribbean sea winds. That silky wrapper? Grown under Ecuadorian cloud cover using Cuban seed stock. The double fermentation process minimizes bite while locking in sugars.
