Let's cut straight to this 7x54 double corona beast from Foundation Cigar Company. Priced at $16.20 per stick in 10-count boxes, this Nicaraguan puro comes dressed in a slick Dark Sumatra Ecuador wrapper that actually conceals Connecticut Broadleaf binder - a clever twist most would miss. The cold draw gives earthy sweetness that doesn't prepare you for what's coming.
First Third: Immediate dark cocoa hits with black coffee bitterness. The Connecticut Broadleaf binder sneaks in molasses sweetness that cuts through like honey in espresso. Ash holds firm despite the 54 ring gauge.
Middle Third: Jalapa tobacco flexes its floral muscles - think dried violets dipped in bakers chocolate. The Estelí filler brings pepper that's more tingle than punch. Retrohale reveals roasted cashews.
Final Third: Where the Maduro magic happens. Stewed plums emerge but stay dry, avoiding cloying sweetness. Final inch gets earthy with damp soil notes, though combustion stays cool thanks to expert rolling.
The box-pressed shape helps manage the large 54 ring gauge. Triple cap stays intact despite 2-hour smoke time. Burn line wavered slightly in final third but self-corrected. Smoke output leans moderate - no cloud chasing here.
At $16/stick, it undercuts many Nicaraguan premiums by 20-30%. The real play? Aging potential. The Broadleaf binder develops licorice notes after 6+ months humidor time. Buy two boxes - smoke one now, forget the other exists for a year.
