Perdomo Cigars – Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro

Just over a year ago, Perdomo Cigars showcased their Double Aged 12 Year Vintage line at the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show. The line features three wrapper options: Ecuadorian Connecticut, Nicaraguan Sun Grown, and Nicaraguan Maduro, which were scheduled for release in July, September, and December 2014, respectively. As the name implies, the tobaccos undergo 12 years of aging with the first ten years being bale aged and the last two years being aged in charred, white oak bourbon barrels.

According to Perdomo Cigars:

This unique double-aging process ensures the perfect color, texture, aroma, and flavor in these tobaccos, making each cigar a well-balanced and full-flavored smoking experience.

Produced in Esteli, Nicaragua at Tabacalera Perdomo, the Double Aged 12 Year Vintage is offered in five vitolas: Robutso (5 by 56), Epicure (6 by 56), Churchill (7 by 56), Gordo Extra (6 ½ by 60), and Salomon (6 ⅛ by 50/60). Prices range from $10 for the Robusto to $12 for the Salomon with a total production of 260,000 cigars per wrapper option.

Perdomo Cigars are available from our good friends at Famous Smoke Shop.

The Facts

Samples Provided by Famous Smoke Shop
MSRP: $10.00
Vitola: Robusto
Size: 5 by 56
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 35 Minutes
Drink: Water

Pre-light

The presentation of the Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro is impressive to say the least. The gold and red on the single, large band pops against the dark brown Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper leaf. The wrapper leaf is consistent in its almost oscuro appearance and appears quite oily as the light glistens off the leaf. The veins are rather small, while the bumps are abundant. An aroma of manure and unsweetened cocoa are found on the wrapper, with just a hint of pepper.

Bringing the foot of the cigar to my nose, an earthiness and cayenne pepper greet me. A shallow cut through the neatly applied double cap reveals a draw that has a tad more resistance than preferred. If the cigar doesn’t open up, I have a lot of cap left to clip away if needed. The dry draw is straightforward in its medium flavor of rich cedar and natural tobacco sweetness.

First Third

After patiently toasting the foot of this 56 ring gauge cigar to get an even light, the Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro is underway. An abundant amount of silky smooth smoke fills my mouth with each small draw. It appears that a second cut will be unnecessary. The flavors are already pushing medium/full with a pleasant amount of spice that is warming my mouth. Notes of sweet tobacco, grass, and earth make up the introductory profile of the Double Aged 12 Year Vintage. The finish contains dark flavors of black coffee and earth. The cigar is burning lopsided requiring a touch-up. About an inch in, the flavors transition with a dry pencil-shaving flavor arriving, along with more sweetness and richness.  

Middle Third

The pepper is playing a more dominant role in the profile, the sweetness seems to be tied with a cocoa flavors now, and the Double Aged 12 Year Vintage is gaining in richness and strength. While not overwhelming, the strength is putting me in a relaxed state of mind. The black coffee is holding strong on the finish, accompanied by sweet tobacco and a vegetal flavor. Even with the full, rich flavors, the smoke is easy on the palate.

Final Third

The flavors continually evolve in the Double Aged Maduro. The combination of coffee and cocoa are satisfying and rich. The pencil shaving flavor has transitioned to more of an oak. Burning down to the last two inches, a toasty quality joins in. From the beginning, the ash has been dark gray and flaky. The appearance of it is deceiving as the ash is difficult to knock off even after an inch of burn. 

Wrap-up

I have been on a roll of smoking fabulous cigars as of late from super-premium to budget friendly, and the Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro is another cigar to add to the growing list. Deep, satisfying, and rich flavors are showcased throughout the cigar, while easily noticeable change-ups are experienced in each third and sometime multiple times in each third. A satisfying amount of velvety smooth smoke poured out with each draw. However, a few points did get knocked off of my nonexistent scoring system due to few touch-ups needed. The Double Aged 12 Year Vintage by Perdomo Cigars is a worthy smoke. Taking price into consideration, a five-pack purchase would be my final recommendation of the Double Aged 12 Year Vintage.