Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro

Binder & Filler: Nicaraguan

Size: Piramide 6 x 52

Price: Around $8.00

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The dark wrapper had virtually no flaws, just a visible seam or two. It had an earthy smell, while the foot was more of a straight up natural tobacco. The cigar was solidly packed, with some minor soft and hard spots. Nothing was drastic enough to be of concern. The draw had slight resistance. The pre-light flavor was a musty, earthy flavor.

The ash held for just over an inch, and the burn required a couple small corrections.

Flavor:

The first third: Pepper. Nice pepper with a zing. It didn’t take long for black coffee to join in. The aftertaste hung around for awhile, and kept that peppery tingle.

The pepper calmed just a bit in the second third. It became more of a sweet dry cocoa mixed with pepper. Coffee was up next. Eventually everything evened out and had equal strength. Like before, the aftertaste left a spicy tingle on the tongue and lips. Everything just came together in this third.

The last third kept the same core flavors – peppery sweet spice, cocoa, and black coffee. What changed was the delivery. Strength increased, and everything just tasted richer than before.

Conclusion:

This was a good, solid medium bodied cigar. The flavor profile was pretty simple and straight forward, but well refined. Construction was great as well, which is what we’ve come to expect from anything out of the My Father factories. What about the price? It’s a little on the high end, but the cigar does deliver. You’ll have to judge for yourself. I liked it!

Wrapper: Habano Nicaraguan

Binder & Filler: Nicaraguan

Size: XO 6 x 60

Price: Around $6.00

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The wrapper was a little blotchy and veiny looking, but nothing of concern. It had a cedar and hay smell, while the foot was earthy. The cigar was pretty well packed, and had minor hard and soft spots. Again, nothing of concern. The draw had slight resistance, and had a woody and musty flavor.

The ash held for about two inches, and the burn required a few minor corrections.

Flavor:

The first third: The main flavor was peppery spice and wood. The smoke feel was slightly creamy with earthy notes.

The second third changed just a bit. The dominant flavors were wood and earthiness. Next up was creaminess with an easy sweet spice. The aftertaste had that same sweet tingle with some earthiness.

The last third was basically an exact repeat of the second third. The only difference was a slight floral component. It was very subtle and hard to pick up.

Conclusion:

This was an OK medium bodied cigar. The flavor profile was pretty one dimensional and definitely had no wow factor at all. For such a simple cigar, I would have to pair it with coffee or something that would make it a little more exciting. Basically, it was just another cigar…

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado

Binder & Filler: Nicaraguan

Size: Toro 6 x 50

Price: $7.98

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The wrapper was oily and shiny, real shiny. No flaws were noticed, just some medium sized veins here and there. The smell of the wrapper reminded me of hay. The foot had more of an earthy, spicy odor. The cigar was evenly packed, and was rock solid. Despite this, the draw was good, with slight resistance. The pre-light flavor was hard to pin down. I’d say it was leathery and earthy.

The ash held for around an inch, and the burn required only one minor correction.

Flavor:

The first third opened up with a woody flavor. It wasn’t the usual cedar though. Retrohaling revealed a nice peppery spice that had a tinge of sweetness. The aftertaste was earthy with hay. Simple but good.

The peppery spice mellowed out a bit in the second third. Woodiness remained, but fell to the background. It was mostly noticeable in the aftertaste. The smoke took on a creamy feel, mixed with a sweet spice. At times, I could swear there was a floral component, but it was illusive and I never pinned it down. Overall the flavor profile seemed much more refined than in the first third.

The last third saw an uptick of the sweet spice. It reminded me of tingly cinnamon and pepper. As a result, the aftertaste was very sweet and clung to the mouth and lips. There still was a woody and earthy component, as well as that elusive floral note.

Conclusion:

This was a very good medium to full bodied cigar. It had a nice build of flavors, body, and strength. The flavors were simple, yet there were complexities that were challenging at times. There is nothing to complain about. I could smoke more of these, and would recommend them.

It’s been awhile since I’ve done any sort of video cigar review. My pal Anthony had the idea that I switch it up a bit and do a review with him. I was all for it, especially since he has been out of the loop for quite some time too. His palate is far above average, and I looked forward to the awkwardness that may arise doing my first review with just him and I.

The Perdomo Champagne Noir is a nice medium to full bodied cigar. It has a straight forward flavor profile, which isn’t a bad thing. Coffee, rich cocoa, woodiness, and a peppery zing make this slow burner a joy to smoke.

As you would expect, Anthony and I pick this thing apart, and it is documented in this 17 minute video review. We also have some random banter and awkwardness. Yes, very awkward.

MP3 Audio only <-Right Click, Save As

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Macuro

Binder & Filler: Nicaragua

Size: #10 Belicoso 6 x 52

Price: Around $6.80

Pre-Smoke & Construction:

The dark wrapper was oily and had some small water spots. It had a fairly strong barnyard odor, and the foot was more sweet and a little earthy. The cigar was packed evenly and was hard as a rock, except towards the torpedo head. The draw was on the snug side, but fell within my tolerance. The pre-light flavor was earthy, sweet, and woody.

The burn required one small correction, and the ash held for just about an inch.

Flavor:

The initial puffs of the first third were thick and almost musty. The flavor profile really shined through when retrohaling. Pepper was up there, and once or twice, I over did it and my eyes teared up. This isn’t to say it was harsh, it just isn’t a beginner cigar. The musty flavor turned in to more of a bitter sweetness, along with a sweet spice and coffee. Woodiness was up next, with a touch of earthiness.

The second third went well. Like before, the smoke was thick and clung to the mouth and lips. The mustiness was more like espresso. Sweet bitterness was there and reminded me of dark chocolate. The pepper calmed down a little, but kept a fair amount of zing. I still had to pay attention when retrohaling.

The last third changed a little. The main flavor was strong black coffee with a nice bitter finish. Dark chocolaty sweetness followed, along with a sweet tingly cinnamon spice. The peppery spice didn’t go anywhere and regained some of it’s punch.

Conclusion:

This was a damn good full bodied cigar. It isn’t for the faint of heart though. The bold flavors, and the balance of body and strength made this a joy to smoke. What more can I say? I will definitely smoke more of these!