Montecristo Espada Oscuro Guard 6″ * 50

Montecristo Espada arrived in 2014 as the first Nicaraguan puro to carry the Montecristo name, blended by the Grupo de Maestros and rolled by the Plasencia family in Estélí. Oscuro is the dark chapter of that story. It keeps the Nicaraguan core but swaps in an aged Habano Rosado Oscuro wrapper drawn from Plasencia’s own leaf library, a lot small enough that the line has stayed a three-size release.

The Guard is the toro, 6 by 50, and the size the line is usually judged on. The extra inch over the Ricasso buys room: it opens on cedar and cocoa, works through black pepper and espresso in the middle third, then settles into a sweet earth and leather finish that runs long past the band.

Strength is full, body medium-plus. The burn is slow and cool for a 50 ring, which is Plasencia construction doing its job. Budget ninety minutes.

Pairs well with black coffee, an aged rum, or a porter.