601 Maduro Box Press Toro 6 1/4″ x 54

From 601, Erik Espinosa’s Nicaraguan line, the 601 Maduro Box Press Toro is a maduro-wrapped box-pressed toro, handmade in Nicaragua. The 601 name stands for June 1, a date tied to the start of the brand, and the line is known for full flavor.

It blends a Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler at a full body, leading with cocoa, espresso, black pepper, and a sweet, almost-syrupy dark earth. At 6 1/4 by 54, the box press gives it crisp edges and a slow, even burn.

Connecticut Broadleaf is stalk cut, meaning the whole plant is cut and hung rather than the leaves picked one by one, then fermented hard and long. That is where the dark color, the oil and the sweetness come from, and why so little of the crop makes wrapper grade.

Pairs well with bourbon, espresso, or porter.