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:
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.

Vitola: Corto
Size: 4.5×56
Country: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium
Cost: $2.75 per
Purchase: indulgecigars.com

The Cigar:
Contrary to the hours posted on their website, the great Wine Bar (with adjoined cigar room) on Broadway in Saratoga Springs is closed on Mondays and I’m left to smoke this funky looking Cupido Criollo on the back porch. The great repository of knowledge that is the World Wide Web tells me some idiots tried to sell knock-off copies of this perfecto roll at the last RTDA Trade Show before getting thrown out on their asses by the true owners. I love a smoke with a story.

Pre-Light:
Great floral and earth smell to the Cupido before lighting and although I’m historically not a fan of small cigars this one exhibits a very interesting and skillful rolling job.

First 3rd:
I thought this stick would be tough to light due to the small, tightly rolled foot, but I’ll admit I was wrong as it takes up strong after just one shot. Bit of a tight draw to start with and there is a very up-front coffee taste for the first couple puffs.

Second 3rd:
Once the ember has made its way around the shoulder of the “bulge” the taste becomes more dynamic, with a good mix of sweet and spice. Unfortunately I have also managed to open up a seam of wrapper leaf near the head of the cigar that is obnoxious to work around.

Finish/Final Thoughts:
As I make it toward the Valentine-inspired heart band, I take notice of the fact that ash has replaced tobacco in a perfect outline of the perfecto shape…badass! This is not a long cigar, so the ending draws are very warm and full of thick smoke, with hints of those floral scents from the pre-light now in the taste. Overall, I think I rushed the smoke and fought that open seam near the end, but at less than $3 this is a cool cigar to keep on hand.