PERDOMO LOT 23

Nick Perdomo Perdomo Lot 23 Strength-Medium Origin-Nicaraguan Filler-Nicaraguan Binder-Nicaraguan Wrapper- Natural Cuban-seed

Sizes:
Gordito (Gordo) – 4.5” x 60
Punta Gorda – 5.0” x 60
Robusto – 5.0” x 50
Belicoso – 5.7” x 54
Toro – 6.0” x 50
Churchill – 7.0” x 50

Price: $5.00 - $7.00

Perdomo is one of my favorite lines of cigars. Often times those that are successful may not reveal the struggle they had to endure to get where they are. However, after reading the history and biography of the Perdomo family (pre/post Fidel Castro) you truly get an understanding of the pride, love, and heart that goes into this particular line of cigars. Nick Perdomo Jr. President, C.E.O. has taken a home-based business that started in his garage to an 88,000 square-foot facility with over 2,000 employees. All the tobacco used for this particular line was specifically grown by Perdomo on one Nicaraguan field called Lot 23. The field was cultivated in 2000 and six years later the tobacco was blended to produce this cigar (cigardon.com). Now, let’s get into the review...

I smoked the Belicoso for this review. The construction of this cigar is simplistic but beautiful. The wrapper is caramel brown and slightly oily. The veins are vey thick and prominent. It is firm with just enough give. You can’t help but notice the large band and the picture makes me wonder if this the lot used to grow the tobacco specifically for this line.

The pre-light aroma is that off coffee. The pre-light draw offered notes of spice, pepper, and coffee. As I begin to toast and take a few puffs, I am pleasantly surprised by the amount of pepper. I didn’t expect it because of the natural wrapper. However, after settling into the first third I’m getting a lot of creaminess that stays pretty consistent with a subtle hint of nuts.

Entering into the second third the pepper has settled down. Now greeted with notes of espresso, nuts, a hint of spice and the creaminess offers a very nice balance. The flavors are intertwined beautifully.

The final third introduces a very strong espresso flavor. The creaminess is ever present along with a hint of spice. The flavor is phenomenal!

Overall, this cigar was an amazing and delightful smoke! The pepper was strong but not over powering. The creaminess, spice, nuts, and espresso left my palate pleased and satisfied. The burn was even with no touch-ups needed. The draw was smooth and effortless. The smoke was thick and milky and the ash was tight and light gray in color. The Belicoso started out medium bodied and remained the same throughout. This cigar can be enjoyed anytime. So I invite you to try the Perdomo Lot 23 and see what your experience is. Keep it smokey familia :0===~~~ Reviewed by: Mz. Azucar Morena

LOU RODRIGUEZ MADURO

Lou Rodriguez Maduro
Strength-Medium to Full Origin-Nicaragua Filler-Proprietary Nicaraguan Blend Binder-Nicaragua Wrapper-San Andres

Sizes:
Bom-Bom-4 3/4x42 $?
Robusto-5x50 $8.50
Toro-6x50 $9.25
Churchill-7x50 $?
Gordito-6x60 $10.45

The Maduro Premiere Edition line comes in five sizes (listed previously). However, the Brick & Mortar (B&M) I purchased these cigars from, (Cigar Realm10393 Sliding Hill Rd, Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 496-6150) only carry the Robusto, Toro, and Gordito. I will provide a link to Lou Rodriguez’ website, which provides a lists of select B&M’ that carry his cigar at the end of the review.

I had the pleasure of meeting Lou Rodriguez at Cigar Realms one-year anniversary almost two years ago. He is quite simply down to earth and very personable. Did you also know that Lou Rodriguez is an emergency room physician (look closely at the band and you will see the Caduceus symbol)?

Now, for the review...

At first glance, the construction of this box pressed cigar is a beautiful, rich, dark brown. The veins are minimal and tight. The cigar has a nice thickness but soft to the touch. The beautiful black and gold band is very pleasing to the eye. Don’t forget to check out the Caduceus symbol.

The aroma prior to cutting offers notes of coffee and tobacco. I cut, toast, and take a few puffs, and I immediately taste pepper and spice. The pepper is prominent but not overpowering. The spice and additional notes of coffee, nuts, and a slight sweetness provides a beautiful balance. Continuing into the first half, the flavors are pretty consistent.

In the second half, the spice and pepper has taken a step back and notes of earth and nuttiness take the forefront. However, there is a slight sweetness hanging in the background.

The final half offered, notes of earth and coffee. The sweet note has subsided and the pepper and spice has reintroduced its self. I will admit that the flavors are strong and creamy but very well balanced.

Overall, I can’t say enough about this cigar. It was absolutely an AMAZING smoke! If you are a Maduro lover, trust me, you will not be disappointed. It is delicious, strong, bold, creamy, and full of flavor. The burn was flawless; smoke was thick and abundant. The draw was effortless, and the ash a beautiful silvery grey. This is more of a full-bodied cigar that can be enjoyed late afternoon or after dinner. So I invite you to try the Lou Rodriguez Maduro and see what your experience is.

Please check out his website to find a local retailer near you. http://www.lercigars.com/retailers Keep it smokey familia :0===~~~ Reviewed by: Mz. Azucar Morena