Let's talk about this intriguing figurado from the Dominican Republic. The H. Upmann Hispaniola Belicoso collab with Jose Méndez rocks a 6x50 torpedo shape packed with Andullo and Pilotico tobaccos. That Sumatra wrapper glistens like a fresh candy apple - mine arrived in perfect condition after 6 weeks in the humidor. At $8.69 per stick, it's positioned as an affordable luxury in the medium-full strength category.
The cold draw gives wet earth and molasses. Initial puffs deliver white pepper spice that settles into roasted cashews. Smoke output surprised me - medium volume but super creamy texture. Burn line stayed razor-sharp without corrections.
Dominican twang kicks in hard here. Swirling flavors of dark roast coffee and burnt caramel dominate, with occasional floral notes appearing between draws. Ash held firm for nearly two inches. Watch that nicotine buildup though - I felt the strength creeping up by midpoint.
Leather and mineral notes emerge as the smoke turns denser. Retrohale reveals baking spices I'd associate with good Dominican rum. Temperature stayed cool thanks to the expert roll, but tar accumulation became noticeable in the last inch. Cut it 15 minutes earlier than your usual Belicoso.
This joint venture nails the Dominican terroir expression. The Sumatra wrapper adds just enough sweetness to balance the earthy fillers. While not as complex as $15+ premiums, it outperforms most cigars in its price bracket. Pair with an iced café cubano to amplify those roasted coffee notes. First-time Andullo tobacco smokers might need 2-3 sticks to fully appreciate the blend's uniqueness.
