The Vega Real Emperadores hits different - this 5.5" x50 Dominican robusto comes packed in retro-worthy aluminum tubes like they've done since 1914. At $6.29 per stick in 20-count boxes, it's what I'd call "accessible luxury" with that African Cameroon wrapper hugging a gutsy blend of sun/shade-grown Dominican fillers. The tube keeps the oily corona gorda perfect for spontaneous smoking.
Cold draw membawa cedar manis. Penyalaan mengungkapkan kopi panggang gelap di depan - pikirkan tembakan espresso Kuba daripada Starbucks caramel macchiato. Casing Cameroon menambah cukup lada putih untuk menyeimbangkan musk 3 bulan tembakau tua. Garis pembakaran tetap lurus seperti pisau jika Anda tidak terburu-buru.
Sekarangisi filler benih Kuba flex otot. Rempah-rempah panggang (pala + kayu manis) bergulung menjadi gelombang coklat pahit. Retrohale sedikit menyengat - ini bukan tongkat pemula. Abu bertahan kuat untuk potongan 1,5". Pasangkan dengan kopi hitam atau root beer untuk menjinakkan intensitas.
Nicotine kick arrives at 45-minute mark. Leather and mineral notes dominate as wrapper sugars burn off. Some stemmy harshness creeps in past band removal - better to quit at 1.5" nub than power through. Leaves lingering black pepper tingle on the lips.
The oily Cameroon wrapper develops plum-like fruity notes after 6+ months at 65% RH. Let them rest - fresh boxes smoke hot and one-dimensional. Tube keeps humidity stable but check for mold if storing long-term.
