GTO Pain Killer Maduro Box Press Toro 11/13/16

Appearance 

The wrapper is dark and a bit mottled with tight seams and a couple prominent veins. It has a nice soft box press and a light oil sheen. The bunch is well packed with no spongy areas.

Aroma 

Dark chocolate, earthy with a hint of spice on the wrapper. Chocolatey, earthy, fruity with a hint of spice at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Earthy, dark chocolate, dried fruit, molasses and a very faint hint of spice.

1st

Initial draws bring notes of earthy, sweet dark chocolate and a very faint hint of cinnamon spice. The draw starts out a bit snug. The burn has a slight wave. The ash is medium gray and fairly tight with a few flakes. The fruity note is there but in the background. There is also a chewy seared beef type of flavor present in the profile. The draw has opened up nicely late in the 1st/3rd. 

2nd

Just into the 2nd/3rd the chewy meaty flavor fades and the fruity flavor moves up a tic. The spice has finally become more prominent. Smoke production is in the high range. Several draws later the meaty, earthy note returns(not a bad thing). Strength has been mostly medium till the mid point of the cigar when it went to medium+. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, chewy meat, cocoa powder, fruit and cinnamon spice. Draw is perfect and the burn which has been wavy from the beginning has almost fully self corrected. 

Final/3rd

About a 1/2" into the final/3rd the spice moves from cinnamon to warm cinnamon then to crushed red pepper. The burn is razor sharp. The strength finishes at a strong medium+. The well balanced flavor profile 

remains consistent through the final/3rd.

Overall the GTO Pain Killer Maduro provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A very well balanced, flavorful and somewhat complex flavor profile. 

Thanks to Oscar @GTOCigars for the samples for review.