So I thought I had already posted this review, but apparently technology was smarter than I was this time.  In any case, this was suppose to be posted about a month & half ago.  My apologies…

R-

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So here I am, in our nation’s capital, on the bank of the Potomic river, across from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The fish are jumping, ducks float lazily by, a couple people are taking a picture of the sun setting in the distance and I’m lighting up a fine cigar!

This isn’t the best cigar I’ve ever had, but right now I really don’t care. Life is calm for a moment, and I’m going to enjoy it…

Until next time… and there will be a next time!

R-

I have never had a 5 Vegas cigar, but my chops were moist with anticipation as I approached the grainy and dark wrapper of this macho maduro. I imagine that smoking this cigar is a lot like driving up to the local exclusive golf resort in a Ferrari F 355 to play a round of links—I have never driven one of those, but I have driven one of these babies: the 5 Vegas Cask Strength. All that to say that it’s robust, powerful, and packs a fine punch. It’s like being hit by Ali, only with silk gloves. I’m guessing that’s what it’s like in the aforementioned Ferrari.

As previously mentioned, the wrapper leaf was heavily textured, beefy, and easily cut in preparation for the torch. It lit easily and burned evenly, providing a good hour of slow, easy draw with notes of leather and spice. It paired well with Fonseca Bin No. 27 Porto, and when I switched to Laphroaig about midway through, it was like that Italian power plant finally hitting its stride, coming up on the cams, and launching me forward in wide-eyed appreciation.

This is a fine cigar, one that challenges my preferences for Perdomo. And that’s saying a lot. This is one for the books, friends. Pairs well with all the above, plus conversation on Top Gear, the British, and the idiocratic state of our politics. Cheers.

My first (fine) cigar was a Padron Delicias Maduro, we were having our second house built so I took the opportunity to smoke it in the house, something I new would never happen once all the windows and doors were in place!  I only bring this up because this is the first maduro wrapper I’ve smoked for several years.  I seem to have a reverse story to most since I started out only smoking cigars with a nice dark wrapper and over the course of years gradually moved to the milder natural wrappers, go figure…

Anyway, I have recently become extremely fond of Perdomo’s offerings, especially their Perdomo 2 limited Editions.  When I saw they had one with a maduro wrapper I just had to buy it and I’m certainly glad that I did. 

It offered up the same easy light and smooth draw that every Perdomo I’ve ever had, had.  In fact, it made for such a relaxing afternoon smoke that I plan to buy more of these maduro’s just to have on hand for that perfect afternoon when it presents itself again!  Now as far as maduro’s I’ve smoked go, this one was definitely on the mellow side of bold.  As such, I would say anyone ready to move to something with a bit more substance to it would do well to start here.

The only complaint I thought I had was when I noticed that it was burning a little uneven.  I say I thought I would have a complaint because upon closer inspection, I realized that I had not been rotating my cigar as I smoked it.  I currently happen to be in, “Ooooooook lahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plains…”, and this combined with my lack of rotation created the perfect environment for a run on one side.  As soon as I made a 180° correction this amazing cigar promptly corrected it’s faulty burn without so much as a, “how do you do?” It was truly spectacular.

Ultimately a nice glass of Port would have paired exceptionally well with this stick, alas, I had none.  I see this as a testament to this cigar’s ability to stand strong and make for a wonderful afternoon of peace and tranquility. I loved it!

Until next time… and there will be a next time!

R-

Oh what a B-A-Yootiful day for a smoke! It turns out that big scary bright ball in the sky is actually the sun. It kinda freaked me out at first since I hadn’t seen it in so long!

Anyhoo, every cigar I’ve ever smoked was a blend of tobaccos from various regions. Mixed together lovingly by expert hands for that perfect flavor & body that can only be achieved from the influences drawn via differing soil types, climates & other environmental factors. Not so today (actually yesterday since I forgot to post this)…

Today’s smoke was woven together using tobaccos from a single region, no hyphenated influences here no sir, strictly Nicaraguan. And just like 100% Kona coffee, it held its own! Now let’s be clear here, I can’t tell you anything about where in Nicaragua this tobacco was grown, only that it was grown basically in one single area and that I was happy to have smoked it.

It had a very loose draw that I typically would have wanted a scosh tighter, but only a scosh. Personally, if the draw isn’t perfect, then I opt for having it a little loose so no real issue here, just an observation. It felt really good as I held it and it lit easily. I was surprised by its smoothness, for whatever reason I was expecting a little more harshness to it.

I really only had one issue with it that I considered a negative, and that was at about the three quarters point in its burn. It’s like there was knot in the leaves and it just sort of went out on me. Now I’ve heard that if you’re a ‘sophisticated’ cigar smoker, you’ll never re-light once it’s gone out. Well I say screw that, I’d been really enjoying myself and wasn’t about to throw the rest of it away based on elite notions of propriety.

Once I got past the ‘knot’ it continued to smoke great and kept its mellow to medium bodied flavors right to the nub. And that’s where I smoked it down to! I will definitely partake of this cigar again and look forward to it. I don’t remember exactly what I paid for it but it seems like it was $6 to $7, which seems fair considering its great taste and good one hour burn. The momentary extinguish notwithstanding.

Until next time, and there will be a next time…

R-

Having a love for both coffee and cigars, I was immediately intrigued when my local tobbaconist suggested I pair this El Triunfador with a full bodied dark coffee. Now I’m not normally a fan of small ring gaged cigars, but he went on to offer that from his knowledge there are only two shops where you can buy this particular smoke this side of the Mississippi. So what’s a guy to do… get one, that’s what!

I was pleasantly surprised by the full flavor this bad boy had to offer. And yes, it paired well with my quad shot Americano. The draw was tight but not impossible, although it tightened as I progressed. There was good flavor right from the start and remained constant for the duration, about 40 minutes, and it never became harsh like some cigars do. It also tried to go out on me a couple times, which I dislike.

All in all, it was very enjoyable! Will I buy another one? Probably not. Not because it wasn’t good, more because it just felt… well, I guess it just didn’t feel like a value to me. It had a price tag of about $10 and for me, that’s just too much for what I got in return. But here’s to stepping out & trying new things, I’m glad I did and now my experience has been broadened for the better!

Until next time… and there will be a next time!

R-