San Pedro de Macoris Sungrown (Corona)

Intro / Pre-Smoke Judgement:

Picked this up a couple weeks ago, because I've never heard of or seen this brand anywhere. I didn't do any research prior to smoking, so I'm going in totally blind - just the way I like it. It was about $5, which kinda places it in the MSRP budget range, and I've recently been wow'd by a lot of sticks near this price point.

Initial Puffs:

Pretty damn good. Pretty damn peppery off the bat, and feels good on the retrohale. On, probably the second or third puff - popcorn pops in my nose, and is another goody in my nose. On the next puff, it seemed like a slightly buttery or savory popcorn. So far - peppery and nice popcorn. I'd buy this again for five bucks, no problem.

Afterwards:

Became rough very quickly. Figured maybe it was the pace. Still rough. I had a cinnamon nicotine pouch in prior to smoking, but any possible residual didn't interfere with the initial puffs. Now, I'm getting a fake sugar taste on the residual- so I think it may be due to the pouch, but I'm against those thoughts. I give it longer to rest - comes up bland. I ash it, and wait - uninteresting dry tobacco. Purged - comes back a little better. Flame purged - fully comes back. Cycle continues. Horrible residual. Tossed around 15 minutes in.

Trial By Smoke Judgement:

I don't like working. I don't like tobacco that makes me work. Had it come back and stayed - I would've thought - maybe it's me. BUT, my Bums, I think this is another stick to avoid. $5 MSRP, and I'm sure you can get em cheaper - but I'm not looking. Had it, got a nice couple puffs off the bat, and learned first-hand about the brand.

Not recommended - not even to the Budget Bums.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0727d57445.jpg

At least the band is cool looking.