Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Review
9/28/2014
Cigar: Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne
Size: Robusto, 5.0”x54
MSRP: $6.76
Strength: Mild-Medium
Wrapper: Connecticut
Origin: Nicaragua
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Prelight: The wrapper on the 10th Anny Champagne is virtually veinless and as smooth and soft as silk. It gives off a mild woody aroma. The foot also smells of wood – cedar perhaps – but is much more potent than the wrapper. I use a small punch, but the draw is still pretty loose. The cold draw flavor matches the aroma: woody.
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1/3: The cigar starts off with a nice hit of spiciness, but tastes predominantly woody. Quickly, nuts and cream round out the flavors of the first third. The smoke output is nice, the burn is straight and the ash is dense. The cigar is burning nice and cool, allowing the full flavors of nuts, wood and cream to come through. I almost forget about the loose draw, the rest of the cigar is so good.
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2/3: The flavors ramp up in the second third, adding black pepper to the mix as well. I get nervous that the ash is going to make a mess, so I go to knock it off…and it doesn’t want to go anywhere. I force the issue, but I think it could have lasted well past the halfway point if I left it. The nuts begin to fade and the woodiness picks up as the second third comes to an end.
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3/3: The pepper in the second third has diminished, and the flavor profile is mainly wood and cream at this point. It is very full in body though, and is frankly delicious. I take the cigar as far as my fingers will allow, and I swear I tasted hints of root beer at the nub.
Overall: Perdomo has redeemed itself after my disappointing Habano Maduro with this cigar. The construction was perfect (save for the looser-than-preferred draw), allowing a perfect burn line, cool smoke, and strong ash. The flavors weren’t what I would call complex, but they were delicious. This is a cigar I would definitely recommend.
