Profile
The Room101 Big Payback Extra Fuerte 70s is a bold addition to Matt Booth's celebrated Big Payback collection, introduced in 2026. Designed for enthusiasts who appreciate substantial ring gauges and commanding tobacco blends, this oversized cigar delivers a rich, full-bodied experience while maintaining the approachable character of the Big Payback family.
Handcrafted in Honduras, the Extra Fuerte combines tobaccos from four countries to create a powerful yet balanced smoking experience. Its massive 70-ring gauge encourages a cooler, slower burn, allowing its layers of spice, earth, cocoa, and natural tobacco sweetness to develop gradually.
The Experience
Size: 7 × 70, Gigante
Strength/Body: Medium-Full to Full
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan Estelí
Filler: Honduras, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Factory/Origin: Honduran American Tobacco S.A. (HATSA), Honduras
First Third
The opening delivers a pronounced combination of black pepper, earthy tobacco, and warm spice. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper contributes a lively peppery character, while the multinational filler blend introduces subtle natural sweetness. As the cigar settles, hints of cocoa emerge beneath its earthy foundation.
Second Third
Moving into the middle portion, the profile becomes increasingly rounded and complex. Dark cocoa, leather, and roasted tobacco take center stage, supported by a lingering peppery finish. Subtle sweetness helps balance the cigar's strength, creating an enjoyable contrast between rich earthiness and gentle spice.
Final Third
The final portion intensifies with deeper earth, dark chocolate, leather, and concentrated tobacco flavors. Black pepper becomes more pronounced, while a restrained sweetness remains in the background. The cigar finishes with a robust, lingering character suited to experienced smokers who appreciate stronger blends.
Flavor progression is a synthesis of published tasting impressions, not a verified uniform third-by-third tasting.
Construction & Burn
The Extra Fuerte features a substantial, handmade construction designed to accommodate its impressive 70-ring gauge. Its large diameter can encourage a cooler smoking experience with generous smoke production.
Published smoking impressions describe an easy draw and abundant smoke, although occasional burn corrections may be necessary. Given its considerable size, this cigar is best enjoyed slowly, allowing sufficient time for the blend to develop without overheating.
Overall Experience
The Room101 Big Payback Extra Fuerte delivers an assertive combination of strength, size, and flavor. Its earthy foundation, peppery character, and developing cocoa notes create a satisfying smoking experience for enthusiasts seeking a substantial cigar.
Despite its imposing dimensions, the blend offers enough balance and natural sweetness to prevent the profile from becoming entirely dominated by spice.
Why It Stands Out
The Extra Fuerte distinguishes itself through its impressive 7 × 70 format and carefully selected multinational tobacco blend. Unlike cigars that rely exclusively on strength, this release combines boldness with complementary layers of earth, cocoa, leather, and spice.
Its introduction expands the Big Payback collection with a stronger expression specifically designed for enthusiasts who appreciate oversized vitolas and extended smoking sessions.
Pairing Suggestions
Espresso: A double espresso complements the cigar's earthy and cocoa characteristics while providing a concentrated roasted-coffee contrast.
Red Wine: A full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec offers dark-fruit richness and structured tannins that can stand alongside the cigar's robust profile.
Port Wine: A ruby or tawny Port provides sweetness and depth, helping soften the cigar's peppery intensity while highlighting its chocolate undertones.
Dark Roast Coffee: A rich, low-acidity coffee complements the tobacco's roasted and earthy qualities without overpowering its natural flavors.
Burnt Leaf Insight
The Room101 Big Payback Extra Fuerte is an excellent choice for cigar enthusiasts who believe that a larger ring gauge should deliver more than simply additional smoking time.
Its combination of Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan Estelí binder, and three-country filler blend creates a distinctive balance between strength and complexity.
For smokers who enjoy substantial cigars with pronounced pepper, earth, and cocoa, the Extra Fuerte offers an engaging experience that rewards patience.
A commanding cigar built for those who appreciate bold tobacco, generous dimensions, and the pleasure of an unhurried smoke.
