Size: 5×50
Country: Nicaraguan Puro
Wrapper: Semilla Habano
Binder: Semilla Habano
Filler: Semilla Habano
Strength: Mild-Medium
Cost: $5.29 per
Available at: indulgecigars.com

The Cigar: Available also in Corojo, the Perdomo Grand Cru Maduro Robusto is packaged in traditional 20 count boxes with an ugly brown band.  Perdomo promotes this line by stating that the wrapper, filler and binder are all, “Cuban-seed (Semilla Habano).  The best of the best yeild from our farms in 2004″.  Let’s find out.

The prelight aroma is both rich and sweet.  The pre-light draw is very easy and the cigar simply looks beautiful with its dark, oily, toothy wrapper.    Good looks are a trademark of Perdomo cigars, but the proof is in the puffing.

1st 3rd: So far, the Grand Cru has the easiest draw of any perdomo I’ve ever smoked.  There’s a base of coffee and caramel with a touch of cedar and a remarkably long, malty finish.  The white ash is speckled, which is no surprise when considering the tooth on the wrapper.

2nd 3rd: I’ve read a couple reviews on this cigar that ciriticized the burn, but so far, it’s burning and drawing perfectly.  The first ash makes it past the inch mark, which exceeded my expections because of the easy draw.  Cedar is really coming through now and a spicy kick is keeping me interested in this full bodied cigar.  The sweet smoke is also ruining the discipline that normally keeps me from puffing too fast, I need to slow down.

Final 3rd: Do not smoke the Grand Cru outdoors.  The aroma is zesty and tantilizing on the nose and really adds to the experience.  The final stretch is producing a flavor and scent of charred marshmallow on a stick over a campfire.   I know that line sounds like bullshit, but it really does.  The sweet, cedary spices last all the way to the end and grow slightly in their intensity.

The vedict: I really like this cigar.  The Grand Cru is a sweeter, spicier version of the Perdomo Habano Maduro.  An effortless burn and draw convinces me that Perdomo is finally starting to realize that a pretty cigar is no good unless smoke comes out of it.  I guess I’m still bitter from all the blood vessels I burst during the begining of the decade trying to produce smoke from a Perdomo Squared.  Let’s hope that chapter is finally starting to close.

Pairing: This went very nicely with a glass of Glenmorangie 10yr Single Malt Scotch.

Reviewer:
Luke Meyers is an avid cigar smoker, guitar player, and more than occasional bourbon drinker. When he’s not reviewing for IndulgeCigars he works as Marketing Manager for leading communications firm McMurry in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Size: 4.75×52
Country: Nicaragua
Strength: Mild-Medium
Cost: $5.03 per
Purchase: indulgecigars.com

The Cigar:

It’s Tuesday night again, which means two things: my weekly poker game at 7:30 AND, beforehand, I’m enjoying a meal and smoke in the comfy and tastefully appointed cigar room at The Wine Bar (http://www.thewinebarofsaratoga.com/) in Saratoga Springs. Tonight, I’m packing this hefty Perdomo Reserve which has the wrapper characteristics of the original Don Diego Playboy line, but smells just like champagne…heh, go figure

Pre-Light:
As mentioned, this Perdomo is worthy of its name, smelling and tasting a little bit like champagne even before lighting. Good looking wrapper except for a pencil-eraser sized green blemish on the shoulder of the cap. Otherwise, very smooth construction and tight foot.

First 3rd:
Sort of a grassy mellowness to the first couple puffs of this cigar, but it quickly settles into a creamy draw that produces enough smoke for me to apologize to the guy sitting across from me as it floats in his face. An even layer of white-gray ash starts forming solidly on the end.

Second 3rd:
I’m totally engrossed in this smoke by the halfway point – still pulling in gobs of buttery smoke on each draw and that champagne taste (no beer budget, this time) has intensified. I’m thinking a cup of coffee would overpower the flavor, so I order an Old Fashioned instead which was an EXCELLENT idea.

Last 3rd/Final Thoughts:
The finish of this Perdomo has me in a pleasant stupor – maybe it’s the great music they’re playing in the bar (M. Ward anyone?) or all the bourbon in that Old Fashioned, but I’ve totally lost track of time and end up running late to poker. I must admit I’m a huge fan of Nick Perdomo’s work by way of disclaimer, but this was an especially refreshing smoke and I’d recommend to anyone with a preference toward the mild varieties.

Reviewer bio:

Tim Castleman is living life one cigar at a time. With a drink in his hand, a cigar in his mouth, and wife who is sleeping he finds happiness. Best of all he celebrated the big 30 in Vegas recently and wanted to share the trip, and his cigars with everyone – but since you weren’t invited this is the best we could do.

Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5.5×54
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium-Full
Cost: $6.00 per
Purchase: indulgecigars.com

I made reservations at Mon Ami Gabi for my 30th Birthday Dinner. If you go to Las Vegas – eat at Mon Ami Gabi. It’s a little expensive but so worth it. Between the hand cut chips, the cheese plate and wine selection you owe it to yourself to at least have a glass of wine there. Yes even all you beer drinkers out there – live a little. And my personal recommendation is the Filet Mignon with wine reduction sauce. The best steak I’ve ever had in my life and this is coming from a guy who knows his steaks.

Where was I, oh yes the cigar. Since it was my 30th I wanted to enjoy a great cigar with a wonderful glass (that means bottle in French) of wine. I picked the new CAO Brazilla Boxed Pressed cigar. This is a great cigar with great construction and draw that CAO has become known for. Each puff gave me a ton of smoke that filled the air and my wine glass time and time again.

The first third produced a razor sharp burn and tons of flavor.  When I first started smoking cigars the Brazilla was too strong for my taste but now they just right. I’d put it on the stronger side of medium bodied but not so strong it will knock your socks off.  The flavor and smoke continue well into the second third of the cigar. I don’t notice any changes in the taste – just a consistent and enjoyable smoke.  Part of me is trying to compare this cigar to the 777 from last night but it isn’t possible. They are totally separate cigars and I enjoy both of them equally.

I have zero complaints about this cigar. I am usually not a boxed press cigar fan but these are so radically pressed that it looks like your smoking on a box of matches.  I put the cigar out with a third of it left. Just in time for a dessert of three different ice creams served on a hollowed out cream puff. I have to give this the second best cigar of the trip (behind the 777).  Tomorrow I have to catch a way to early flight back home to Texas but hopefully in honor of my 30th birthday I won’t get much sleep.