The KC/DW Review Series

[King Catfish]

I had such a good time this afternoon reviewing the Don Lino that I decided to review another. This time I decided on a Perdomo Slow-Aged 826 in the Glorioso size (6x52). This one had been sitting in the humidor for a few months. I went back to the amber lager and Scotch to accompany this medium-to-full bodied cigar.

The cigar is garbed in a Connecticut natural wrapper with a slight sheen of oil. A bit of research told me that the filler consists of four different Nicaraguan tobaccos, including a ligero. The cigar had a light, neutral smell before lighting. Wrapper color was even and the texture fine and smooth with no visible veins. The cigar was firm and perfectly rolled. The band is understated and black, white, and gold in color, with old-style (1920s?) lettering.

I managed to crack the cap a bit when cutting, but it looked manageable. Upon being lit, the cigar delivered an admirable volume of smoke that was creamy, tasty and on the sweet side at first. Flavor was bold right away, and was somewhere between leather, wood, and coffee. The wrapper was pungent on the lips, and the smoke was tangy on the tongue. Draw was medium, but soon eased up.

The first third added an aftertaste of coffee that had been in the pot a bit too long, just a bit bitter. The ash was very white, and fell off after about an inch. (A later ash was much longer.) The wrapper persisted in its taste on the lips. Burn was a little uneven but managed to correct itself enough to avoid a touch-up light. The woody taste of the first few puffs disappeared, and the cigar settled into a (slightly) creamy, smooth neutral taste (with some marginal coffee overtones) that remained consistent. Smoke volume was very nice throughout. The rest of the cigar was more of the same. The crack expanded a bit at the nub but was not a huge problem.

I thought the first third went by a little quickly, so I started watching the clock and found myself mistaken. This is a nice, long smoke, in excess of an hour.

This is a good, workmanlike cigar; I would like to have it after a good cheeseburger with a stout or a dark lager. At approximately 2 dollars each, a five-pack or two of this one will be finding its way into my humidor at some point. These should be perfect for a barbecue or a game of horseshoes in the yard on a sunny day.

Score 16 (x5) = 80, adding a half-point for nice smoke volume, decent start, and good construction and losing two and a half points for being one-dimensional, failing to evolve, and lacking any distinguishing character for a final score of 78.

[DeeDubya]

Today is my birthday. It's 9am and I have just finished my first cigar after a traditional Sunday morning bacon, eggs and biscuits breakfast. I need plenty energy to help this old man catch up with KC's relentless persuit of the "perfect cigar". I fully intend to take advantage of this rainy day so I'm starting early.

I have not tried a Plasensia in a few years since my first encounter was less than rewarding.

"Plasencia Reserva Organica Robusto cigars are handmade in Nicaragua from 100% *Certified Organic* tobaccos grown just as the Nicarao Indians did 500 years ago. Aged over 3 years, these unique, smooth-smoking cigars are mild to medium in body with a marvelously pure and natural tobacco flavor."

As quoted from a Famous ad line, I will agree with all said. For me it was mild, perfect for a morning smoke. I carefully clipped the cap and found the "dry" draw to be perfect. Toasting produced a very pleasant, well yes "toast" aroma that did hint of the mild, creamy, buttery (could be butter from my biscuit) taste to follow. A well rolled, smooth (nearly perfect) wrapper. Satin shine, veins hardly visible.

The first third brought no surprises but did have a little earthiness that I think is a result of the aging process. The ash was again "nearly perfect" white with a few dark flecks and held firm. Around half-way the flavors started to intensify but with no significant or predominant spiciness. It was indeed, pure tobacco flavor. Kind of nice for a change. It burned evenly throughout. Toward the end, I could detect a little wood, maybe because it does come in a cedar wrap that imparts a little "special" flavor that improves natural tobacco taste.
I will say that for me this is very close to a perfect morning cigar. Mild, easy draw, no lingering aftertaste.
On a scale of 1-10 I will give this Plasecnia a 9.4.
I will next select a mid-day cigar. Signing off now to rest up for the Spurs-Rockets game.

[King Catfish]

Happy birthday! Nice review.

[DeeDubya]

Round 2. Finished my lunch while the Spurs finished the Rockets and picked out an Upmann for a change.

This is an "Old World" Cuban style cigar with natural wrapper. I would say a very good roll and consistanty firm head to foot. After clipping the cap I noticed a very easy draw that would normally indicate a looser roll but not so. After toasting (no special aromas) I started what turned out to be a very decent cigar. I would classify it as medium to heavy (duh, Old World Cuban) body and slightly peppery bite. The leathery dry looking Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper was a bit salty but as it progressed maybe savory would better describe it. I noticed a tendancy to lick my lips after each puff. Tasty!

The first half was somewhat spicy, mostly pepper, aromatic. Very firm grey ash. The filler is a combo of Nicaraguan, Peruvian and Dominican tobaccos so I would venture to guess that each cigar might have a distinct flavor all it's own depending which was the predominant leaf.
The second half announced it's character as the robust flavors collected and continued to grow stronger. I think I made a good choice for a mid-day smoke. I definitely plan to keep a few of these in my humi. After about 45 minutes it was unfortunately too short to smoke.

On a scale of 1-10 I rate this cigar 9.5

Tonight it's a mexican style shrimp cocktail, black angus ribeye, fully dressed baked potato with Jacob's Shiraz-Cabernet. So, after dinner I will pour another glass and light up an Oliva Master Blends 3 5x50. I'll let you know how it was if I still have enough energy to type.

[DeeDubya]

Round 3. KO'd

I did smoke the MB3 but actually wasted a good cigar. At least I think it was good. All I can say for sure is that it burned even, had a good ash and made plenty smoke.

The Shiraz-Cabernet was great with the rigeye but not a good choice with the cigar. I would have to say that this cigar had good legs, tasted primarily of black currents with overtones of blackberry, mint and vanilla.

Oh well $12 bucks for nada. I'll try another on a better day, with a glass of port or scotch.

[DeeDubya]

KC just endowed me with some more awesome sticks to review. Now he's already done the Don Lino Africa Duma, so I'll just smoke, enjoy, and compare my notes with his review. But, I've got an Oliveros LTD, Indian Tabac Super Fuerte Maduro, Comacho 1962 and a hugh Oliveros Padrino Italiana (I didn't know ring guage went to 70).
Thanks KC, I'll do my best. Tough Job having to smoke all these cigars.

[DeeDubya]

This is a box-pressed cigar, somewhat light but firm with a Costa Rican maduro wrapper. The wrapper is not quite as oily as I like to see in a Maduro but otherwise smooth roll and no blemishes.
For me, toasting maduros always offers up a little surprise as they seem to resist the flame at first and then emit a slight tary odor along with all the goodness of a rich tobacco flavor.
The draw was very easy and I thought it would burn like a fuse but lasted about 40 minutes. It burned fairly even for the first half and then started to run untill finally the ash was pointing toward India. I detected a little almond, coffee, well balanced, full bodied but no bite. Pretty good flavor but decidedly different. I think it has Honduran fillers so maybe it's all the Costa Rican wrapper that gives that distinct taste.
All together it was not a bad smoke, but with all the choices these days, I don't think it will be using any space in my humi.
Thanks again KC for something different to review.
On a scale of 1-10 I will give it a 7.