Pier 28 Maduro Corona 3/25/18

 Appearance
The dark chocolate colored wrapper has a couple of veins but I wouldn’t call them prominent. Their is a satiny finish to the wrapper with a nice oily sheen. The seams are tightly wrapped and their is a little
tooth. The filler bunch is well packed but has a soft spot up at the head.

Aroma
Chocolate, cedar and leather on the wrapper. Chocolate, cedar at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Chocolate, earth, dried fruit, spice.

1st
The initial draws are very earthy and chocolatey with some black pepper spice. The dried fruit from the Prelight Draw joins in right away too. The draw is perfect. Burn is spot on as well. The ash is medium gray and stacked. There are some distinct black tea notes joining the profile. The smoke production is at the high end of medium. Strength starts at medium. Ash holds firm til removal.

2nd
The profile so far is very well balanced. Strength moves to medium+. The black pepper is beginning to dominate the profile. Late in the 2nd/3rd the Draw gets a bit snug.

Final/3rd
The black pepper is still dominating the profile. Strength is at med/full. Draw opened just before I nubbed it.

Overall
The Pier 28 Maduro Corona provides a somewhat enjoyable smoking experience. A tasty profile for the 1st half of the cigar got overrun by heavy black pepper.