Perdomo Habano Toro

Score: 9.3

By Gary Korb

One of the most beautifully detailed cigar bands graces one of the most beautiful looking cigars. A nice FAT cigar too. The Perdomo Habano Maduro has a deep dark chocolate color with a slightly reddish patina. The Maduro wrapper leaf is grown and cured in Nicaragua, making it a true Nicaraguan puro.

The pre-lit taste was sweet and earthy with a wisp of Scotch whiskey. The draw was perfect, too. The cigar lit evenly across the foot. Thick, creamy smoke emerged from the head as the room filled with a sweet aroma. The flavor was primarily woody and sweet with a trace of spiciness on the finish. Passing the smoke through my nose I also caught a hint of licorice.

The smoke was extremely smooth and full-flavored without the heaviness of a full-bodied cigar. The ash burned a little off in the early stages, which may have been because I clipped the head a little too shallow. I opened the cigar up a little and it began to even out. I love rich, creamy, sweet-smelling cigars, and this baby's got it.

This cigar was also so aromatic I enjoyed it as much just letting the smoke waft up toward me from the ashtray, as I did when I puffed on it. I just let this honey do her thing, while I sat back and watched a good part of the time. But each puff was consistently rich, flavorful, and the cigar never turned bitter or spicy.

I love it when a new cigar lives up to its advertising, and the Perdomo Habano Maduro strikes a perfect balance of fine construction, proportion, flavor and aroma. I nubbed it down to the bone. A definite "must-try" that even newer cigar smokers will be able to handle with ease.

Appearance: 9
Construction: 9
Burn: 9
Draw: 10
Aroma: 10
Flavor: 9
Final Score: 9.3