Vega Real Diplomaticos Tubos deliver old-school charm in aluminum armor. These 6x44 Coronas from the Dominican Republic pack mineral-rich El Cibao valley tobacco under a Cameroon cloak. The retro tube packaging hides a 1914-recipe smoke that punches above its price point - think espresso grounds meets sun-baked leather.
Cold draw tastes like walnut skin. Initial smoke coats the tongue with bitter cocoa powder and black pepper. The Cameroon wrapper shows its teeth - dry earth undertones emerge through roasted coffee aromas.
Strength escalates around the band. Mineral notes turn metallic while baking spices (clove/nutmeg) fight through the dense smoke. Ash holds firm but demands frequent taps - construction's decent but not flawless.
Last inch brings unsweetened dark chocolate dominance. Retrohale stings with white pepper while a curious saline tang lingers on lips. Stopped at 45-minute mark when tar buildup turned intrusive.
Rolled at La Tabacalera factory using 108-year-old tube packaging tech. Combines shade-grown volado leaves with sun-cured Dominican ligero. First introduced when American cigarmakers migrated to DR during Cuban embargos.
