Background

I came across this stick at a local B&M sidewalk sale last weekend. With a MSRP of $18.00+ marked down to $4.00 and a ten years of age on them, you better believe I grabbed a few. Thanks Stogie Santa! Who’s Stogie Santa you ask? More on that during the podcast!

 

I could not find much online about the blend other than a lot of marketing hype. I know that sounds a bit negative but this is a bit of a pet peeve of mine. I really dislike when manufacturers use words like achievement, jewel, outstanding, and luxurious when I just want to know about the blend. One thing, you as the reader will learn about me, I don’t bullshit.

Anyways, here is what I know. The blend was produced to commemorate Nick Perdomo’s late grandfather, Silvio Perdomo. Perdomo began their aging process back in 1997 and I believe, based on what I was told by the B&M and found online, these were released around 2001. So they have been sitting for ten years in my B&M’s humidor. The tobacco is made up from viso, ligero, and seco Nicaraguan tobaccos.

Stogie Stats

Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan? Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan?
Filler: Nicaraguan Viso, Ligero, and Seco
Strength: Medium/Full
Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5 x 54
Age: About three years
MSRP: $18.00+

Review

The cigar is firm and the wrapper is veiny and oily. The pre-light draw and smell is full of dry grass and is a little astringent. After toasting the foot, I take the initial draw and I am hit with a lot of bitterness. At this point I am questioning my judgment on spending the $4.00. But the bitterness quickly disappears and the flavors balance out. Flavors begin with Nicaraguan sweetness, grass, and a lot of wood on the finish. As the first third continues, there is an occasional faint bitterness that comes and goes but it doesn’t stop me from enjoying the well balanced flavors.

 

The burn is slightly crooked but I force myself not to touch up since the draw is perfect. The flavor profile doesn’t change during the second third. The ash is white and holds for about an inch. I find myself really enjoying the cigar at this point and focusing on the large white clouds of smoke that are released with each draw.

Entering the last third I begin detecting hints of Nicaraguan Corojo. The sweetness is almost gone and the strength of the cigar has really picked up. I begin detecting some pepper and the finish is very dry. It borders on harshness but never crosses the line. Did I mention I am really enjoying the cigar? The last third ends with a cool and firm nub.

Conclusion

While I think this stogie certainly isn’t worth the MSRP, I also feel it is a steal at $4 a stick. Age probably did this stick some good.  It has a very unique flavor profile with the last third being the part I enjoyed the most. The profile is not something I would normally gravitate towards but I enjoyed it. I would rate it a 3 “The Fiver” on the Stogie Geeks Rating Scale but only at a reduced price. If you come across these at the MSRP, I would recommend waiting for a side walk sale.