Robusto, 5" x 54 ring gauge / $6.05, Burns
Right up front, I have to admit to not being a big fan of the "regular" Perdomo Reserve Champagne. I know some people love them, but the flavor just didn't hit it for me, so I never got past a single stick...and that is also the reason I haven't gotten to the Noir version before now. This is apparently a Nicaraguan Puro, utilizing a triple-fermented, Cuban-seed Maduro wrapper which has been aged an extra two years, part of that time in bourbon barrels. That aspect becomes very apparent when sniffing the wrapper, which has a rich vanilla note; the foot has more earth and coffee aroma. The cold draw had a very interesting interplay of sweet vanilla, coffee, cocoa powder, and a little pepper spice.
The first puffs exploded with strong earthy notes and undercurrents of dried fruit, black coffee, and bitter cocoa. I got just a tiny bit of red pepper on the retrohale, too. The aging in the bourbon barrels made this cigar start out almost like a flavored or infused cigar...and in a way, I suppose it is since it absorbed the remnants of whiskey that would have been in the oak of the old barrels...but if you thought of it as "flavored" this would be the most balanced flavored cigar out there, because there is still plenty of natural tobacco goodness, along with earth and spice that never seems to come through actual flavored cigars.
As the first third finished up and the second started, I got strong flavors of milk chocolate coming through the earth and coffee. As with most Perdomo Maduros, this one is very sweet, making fantastic use of the wrapper leafs character. After my reaction to the original Champagne, I was completely surprised by the Noir. I am assuming the same blend with just a different wrapper and who knew a wrapper could make this much difference? This one might have to make it to my regular rotation and I may have to come back and give this one a full review treatment sometime in the future.
Right up front, I have to admit to not being a big fan of the "regular" Perdomo Reserve Champagne. I know some people love them, but the flavor just didn't hit it for me, so I never got past a single stick...and that is also the reason I haven't gotten to the Noir version before now. This is apparently a Nicaraguan Puro, utilizing a triple-fermented, Cuban-seed Maduro wrapper which has been aged an extra two years, part of that time in bourbon barrels. That aspect becomes very apparent when sniffing the wrapper, which has a rich vanilla note; the foot has more earth and coffee aroma. The cold draw had a very interesting interplay of sweet vanilla, coffee, cocoa powder, and a little pepper spice.
The first puffs exploded with strong earthy notes and undercurrents of dried fruit, black coffee, and bitter cocoa. I got just a tiny bit of red pepper on the retrohale, too. The aging in the bourbon barrels made this cigar start out almost like a flavored or infused cigar...and in a way, I suppose it is since it absorbed the remnants of whiskey that would have been in the oak of the old barrels...but if you thought of it as "flavored" this would be the most balanced flavored cigar out there, because there is still plenty of natural tobacco goodness, along with earth and spice that never seems to come through actual flavored cigars.
As the first third finished up and the second started, I got strong flavors of milk chocolate coming through the earth and coffee. As with most Perdomo Maduros, this one is very sweet, making fantastic use of the wrapper leafs character. After my reaction to the original Champagne, I was completely surprised by the Noir. I am assuming the same blend with just a different wrapper and who knew a wrapper could make this much difference? This one might have to make it to my regular rotation and I may have to come back and give this one a full review treatment sometime in the future.
I have read good things about this stick I'm going to have to pick a few up to try, I'm a Perdomo fan so this maybe down my alley
ReplyDeleteI picked up one of these yesterday. I'm going to let it rest a little before takIng the test drive.
ReplyDelete