Laranja Reserva Azulejo Toro 6″ x 52

The Laranja Reserva Azulejo Toro is the blue label in Espinosa’s Laranja family. Laranja is Portuguese for orange, and azulejo is the painted blue tile you see across Portugal and Brazil, which is where the band’s colour comes from.

An Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper covers a Brazilian Arapiraca binder and Nicaraguan filler. Espinosa calls it medium plus to full, and it smokes that way: pepper and spice up front, earth and cocoa underneath, with enough sweetness to keep it balanced. At 6 by 52 the box press gives it flat sides and a slow, even burn.

Arapiraca is grown in Alagoas in northeastern Brazil, and it is a thick, dark leaf with a natural sweetness. Azulejo was the first Espinosa blend to use it as a binder, which is where the sweet edge under the pepper comes from.

Pairs well with bourbon, coffee, or stout.