Here is a second installment from 1999 reviews. Mind you, these were all blind reviews. What I mean is, each cigar came as a sample of 3 -4 sticks in a baggie. Each was marked very simply, as you see below (A size #59, Robusto #61, etc...). You were to smoke all the samples before reviewing, not knowing what it was you were smoking.
As for this stick, is it even made today, much less, does this review stack up?
Nick Perdomo is the consummate gentleman, as I had opportunity to spend an evening with him at a "Big Smoke" in NYC. Loved most of his creations.
A size #59
La Tradicion Perdomo Reserve "A"
1) Aesthetics:
A light chocolate wrapper with a flat (vs. oily) finish. a box-pressed cigar is always a treat and this 9+ inch stick was as close to perfectly square as it could be, even the corners were more sharp than rounded. It is surprising that the wrappers didn't tear to get this way. I pulled one out at a party for one NFC Playoff game, the wide-eyed looks and exclamations of, "look at the size of that stogie" were good for a chuckle. Score for aesthetics: 4.8
2) Pre-light Construction:
One of the samples had a soft spot near the foot, but when you have a cigar this length, that is understandable. These are very firm smokes and appear densely packed. An interesting spiciness was prevalent in the pre-light aroma of this cigar. Score for Pre-light construction: 4.7
3) Post-light Construction/How it smoked:
Surprise, this long firm cigar drew surprisingly well, because of its length, you got big mouthfuls of cool smoke. One sample did run a bit, but a touch-up with the torch kept it honest. A firm, grey-white, slightly flaky ash held for a good two inches. Score for post-light construction: 4.5
4) Flavor and strength:
This was a very complex and flavorful cigar - it had a spicy sweet overall character with a wonderful tobacco flavor that gave forth hints of maple and burnt chocolate. The complexion of this medium to full-bodied cigar remained pretty muclh the same, but it built in intensity - it only got better. Score for flavor and strength: 4.9
5) Aftertaste/Finish:
Pleasantly, it finished mildly - nothing bitter or harsh about it. There were hints of sweet-spice that lingered for a bit on the palate. Score for aftertaste: 4.6
6) Aroma: This cigar staged an assault on my olfactory senses and they surrendered willingly. Again, the sweet smell of tobacco filled the air with spicy overtones. Score for aroma: 4.9
7) General Comments:
What an interesting smoke. This is a good 2+ hours excusion in the pursuit of cigar pleasure. I enjoyed this cigar from the very beginning, but it's best half was the last half, it got only better. If you can find these, pick them up for that long stretch of free time. Here is a great excuse to slow down, take some time, and enjoy the pleasurable things in life. Overall score for the cigar: 4.7
8) Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Of course, this is a cigar whose length demands a long time frame needed to really sit back and enjoy it. I would suggest picking up a couple and demanding that time and doing so. Life is too short to hurry through. This is the new Perdomo "A" size, isn't it? His classic wrapper and box-pressed like the others in the line I have tried?
As for this stick, is it even made today, much less, does this review stack up?
Nick Perdomo is the consummate gentleman, as I had opportunity to spend an evening with him at a "Big Smoke" in NYC. Loved most of his creations.
A size #59
La Tradicion Perdomo Reserve "A"
1) Aesthetics:
A light chocolate wrapper with a flat (vs. oily) finish. a box-pressed cigar is always a treat and this 9+ inch stick was as close to perfectly square as it could be, even the corners were more sharp than rounded. It is surprising that the wrappers didn't tear to get this way. I pulled one out at a party for one NFC Playoff game, the wide-eyed looks and exclamations of, "look at the size of that stogie" were good for a chuckle. Score for aesthetics: 4.8
2) Pre-light Construction:
One of the samples had a soft spot near the foot, but when you have a cigar this length, that is understandable. These are very firm smokes and appear densely packed. An interesting spiciness was prevalent in the pre-light aroma of this cigar. Score for Pre-light construction: 4.7
3) Post-light Construction/How it smoked:
Surprise, this long firm cigar drew surprisingly well, because of its length, you got big mouthfuls of cool smoke. One sample did run a bit, but a touch-up with the torch kept it honest. A firm, grey-white, slightly flaky ash held for a good two inches. Score for post-light construction: 4.5
4) Flavor and strength:
This was a very complex and flavorful cigar - it had a spicy sweet overall character with a wonderful tobacco flavor that gave forth hints of maple and burnt chocolate. The complexion of this medium to full-bodied cigar remained pretty muclh the same, but it built in intensity - it only got better. Score for flavor and strength: 4.9
5) Aftertaste/Finish:
Pleasantly, it finished mildly - nothing bitter or harsh about it. There were hints of sweet-spice that lingered for a bit on the palate. Score for aftertaste: 4.6
6) Aroma: This cigar staged an assault on my olfactory senses and they surrendered willingly. Again, the sweet smell of tobacco filled the air with spicy overtones. Score for aroma: 4.9
7) General Comments:
What an interesting smoke. This is a good 2+ hours excusion in the pursuit of cigar pleasure. I enjoyed this cigar from the very beginning, but it's best half was the last half, it got only better. If you can find these, pick them up for that long stretch of free time. Here is a great excuse to slow down, take some time, and enjoy the pleasurable things in life. Overall score for the cigar: 4.7
8) Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Of course, this is a cigar whose length demands a long time frame needed to really sit back and enjoy it. I would suggest picking up a couple and demanding that time and doing so. Life is too short to hurry through. This is the new Perdomo "A" size, isn't it? His classic wrapper and box-pressed like the others in the line I have tried?