cuppajack
New Member
4 ¾ X 52
Camrroon/Nicaraguan/Nicaraguan
Things are heating back up in Los Angeles, and as I wanted to burn one on my lunch break I had to head up to the near by Culver City Park which occupies a big (for LA) hill with a pretty stunning view of the Northern LA Basin. The ample breeze cooled things off enough to really enjoy my lunchtime smoke, another from the CI 8-cigar sampler that is so infamous around these parts.
I knew practically nothing about the cigar before smoking, and had never had a Perdomo before. I'm a sucker for any make of Figurado and the size and shape of this little-guy intrigued me enough to select it today. A robusto-sized perfecto of Nicaraguan filler wrapped in a Cameroon leaf I was hoping the "F" would be flavorful lunchtime snack. As such, I must admit that I rushed through the prelight sequence as I was pressed for time on my lunch break and I wasn't expecting to write a review of this. So my notes are spotty, (well there are no notes actually,) but the smoked left enough of an impression on me to reconstruct the experience.
My initial impressions were the cigar was very solidly constructed with a somewhat ugly wrapper including lots of spots and one gnarly vein. Pre-light draw seemed very smooth w/ a hint of resistance and provided a very tobacco-y flavor. The stick took to the flame in an instant and I was immediately surprised by a pronounced peppery almond flavor in the first few puffs.
The first ½ inch was potent and full-flavored. I had anticipated a mellow bodied smoked from the Cameroon wrapper, one that I would puff on while enjoying the view and my book. Thoughts that this would be a "throw away" went out the window as I got into the widest part of the cigar. The initial punch and pepper of the smoke quickly gave way to a more medium flavored section that was, while perhaps a bit one dimensional, very enjoyable. Burning through the middle section the flavors were predominantly woody with a very faint hint of chocolate on a few puffs.
The wind was blowing pretty good, but the little champ held a very even burn and dropped a slightly loose grey ash. Rounding into the narrowing last 1/3 I was pretty amazed when the woody flavors started to blend into the unmistakable flavor of a café au lait. It was like puffing on a potent cup of joe cut with a good does of heavy cream. Unfortunately this was gone almost as quickly as it showed up and I was left wishing the whole stick had tasted like that. But the home stretch still has some life in it and provided a return towards the initial pepper-and-almond flavors, though not as pronounced as I had tasted in the opening. The finish caramel and cream and it was remarkable brief for a cigar with such "heavy" flavors.
The wind started to get the better of the figurado and there was a bit of tunneling; also, I overheated things a little in my rush to finish it and get back to work (I hate rushing cigars,) so I called it a day and packed-out.
It occurred to me that I don't think I've ever smoked a Nicaraguan-filler cigar with a Cameroon wrapper and it was a very interesting contrast in flavors. The Perdomo Cameroon Serie F was a surprisingly nice little smoke, and what it lacked in complexity was made up for by its excellent construction and its pronounced flavor notes. I don't have a yard, but if I did I would certainly reach for one of these when working in it.
As an aside this was the 4th of the CI sampler of 8 that I've either smoked or gifted to a friend to smoke and all were given very good reviews. Given this, and the great value of the deal from CI I highly recommend pulling the trigger if you haven't already.
Camrroon/Nicaraguan/Nicaraguan
Things are heating back up in Los Angeles, and as I wanted to burn one on my lunch break I had to head up to the near by Culver City Park which occupies a big (for LA) hill with a pretty stunning view of the Northern LA Basin. The ample breeze cooled things off enough to really enjoy my lunchtime smoke, another from the CI 8-cigar sampler that is so infamous around these parts.
I knew practically nothing about the cigar before smoking, and had never had a Perdomo before. I'm a sucker for any make of Figurado and the size and shape of this little-guy intrigued me enough to select it today. A robusto-sized perfecto of Nicaraguan filler wrapped in a Cameroon leaf I was hoping the "F" would be flavorful lunchtime snack. As such, I must admit that I rushed through the prelight sequence as I was pressed for time on my lunch break and I wasn't expecting to write a review of this. So my notes are spotty, (well there are no notes actually,) but the smoked left enough of an impression on me to reconstruct the experience.
My initial impressions were the cigar was very solidly constructed with a somewhat ugly wrapper including lots of spots and one gnarly vein. Pre-light draw seemed very smooth w/ a hint of resistance and provided a very tobacco-y flavor. The stick took to the flame in an instant and I was immediately surprised by a pronounced peppery almond flavor in the first few puffs.
The first ½ inch was potent and full-flavored. I had anticipated a mellow bodied smoked from the Cameroon wrapper, one that I would puff on while enjoying the view and my book. Thoughts that this would be a "throw away" went out the window as I got into the widest part of the cigar. The initial punch and pepper of the smoke quickly gave way to a more medium flavored section that was, while perhaps a bit one dimensional, very enjoyable. Burning through the middle section the flavors were predominantly woody with a very faint hint of chocolate on a few puffs.
The wind was blowing pretty good, but the little champ held a very even burn and dropped a slightly loose grey ash. Rounding into the narrowing last 1/3 I was pretty amazed when the woody flavors started to blend into the unmistakable flavor of a café au lait. It was like puffing on a potent cup of joe cut with a good does of heavy cream. Unfortunately this was gone almost as quickly as it showed up and I was left wishing the whole stick had tasted like that. But the home stretch still has some life in it and provided a return towards the initial pepper-and-almond flavors, though not as pronounced as I had tasted in the opening. The finish caramel and cream and it was remarkable brief for a cigar with such "heavy" flavors.
The wind started to get the better of the figurado and there was a bit of tunneling; also, I overheated things a little in my rush to finish it and get back to work (I hate rushing cigars,) so I called it a day and packed-out.
It occurred to me that I don't think I've ever smoked a Nicaraguan-filler cigar with a Cameroon wrapper and it was a very interesting contrast in flavors. The Perdomo Cameroon Serie F was a surprisingly nice little smoke, and what it lacked in complexity was made up for by its excellent construction and its pronounced flavor notes. I don't have a yard, but if I did I would certainly reach for one of these when working in it.
As an aside this was the 4th of the CI sampler of 8 that I've either smoked or gifted to a friend to smoke and all were given very good reviews. Given this, and the great value of the deal from CI I highly recommend pulling the trigger if you haven't already.
