Cigar Review: Perdomo 2, Limited Edition 2008, Maduro (Yellow Label)

Epicure, 5.5" x 54 ring gauge, $6.25
Perdomo originally released the 2 (Squared) line several years ago and it was not a big hit so they pulled it off the market to concentrate on other lines. In 2008, they re-released the Squared with an entirely new blend of all Nicaraguan filler and binder, and either a Natural Cameroon wrapper (red label) or a Maduro Nicaraguan wrapper (yellow label). On a recent trip to Murfreesboro, I stopped at The Humidor (right next door to and owned by Liquid Smoke) and picked up one of each; first up is the yellow labeled maduro.

This cigar is a very dark brown color with what I like to call a "soft" box press--the corners are more or less rounded and the sides are not perfectly flat. There are no prominent veins apparent but the stick feels a little bumpy and a little spongy, especially as you get closer to the foot--something to watch out for while trying to burn this thing. The aroma from the body is barnyard, while the foot is more cocoa and coffee. The prelight draw is very easy and has that same cocoa and coffee mix so frequently found in good Nicaraguan smokes.

The lighting is easy and I was greeted by billowing clouds of smoke--one of the most satisfying volumes of smoke I have had lately. The immediately flavors were of black coffee and black pepper. And those flavors continue to dominate throughout the first third.

In the second third, the Squared suddenly took on a roated nut flavor and the black pepper became stronger, leaving the coffee note to play third fiddle. I had to correct the burn a couple times as the cigar wanted to canoe and it did seem to pick up speed in burning as well--seems like that spongy feel I had earlier was a sign that the cigar was a little under-filled.

The last portion of this cigar featured a coffee note that came roaring back, again accented by pepper. I did have to continue correcting the burn, though, and it became too hot to hold a couple of times. Overall a very tasty smoke with a few annoying construction issues. It was medium-to-full in body the entire time and I would recommend it for anyone who likes what Nicaraguan cigars bring to the table.

Body: 7/10
Strength: 6/10
Complexity: 9/10

AFP Scale:
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 1/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 8.5/10