Peterson

[TommyBB]

Guys, talk to me a bit. Over the years, I've not seen a whole lot of mention of Peterson on this board. I know the pipe guys talk about their pipes and tobacco blends, but I, for one, have not seen much discussion in here about their cigars. Perhaps it's that I never had one, and my perception was that they could not be all that good since they are not in the trends as much as other cigar brands.

Well, I have to say that my perceptions were off-target, and I also have to say that it is both good and bad. It's bad because I've waited far too long to smoke the one I had in my humidor, a gift from someone I disremember, now. It's bad because I only had this one.

It's good, because I've discovered in this first specimen....and I know how almost all of us feel about reviews or impressions based only on one example...that the are quite complex and tasty. This one has been in my not-quite-well-maintained humi a long time, at least five years or longer. There was some discoloration of the cellophane. The cigar was a bit hard to the touch.

However, this thing burned razor thing and almost arrow straight, a corona gorda, but not too girthy. It was, as I said, complex and tasty. For most of its duration, it tasted just a slight bit sweet, woody and cedary. As I re-lit after doing a chore, or two, that slowly gave way near the end, to a creamy, leather character. This thing put off a wonderful amount of smoke, clouding my reading as I would exhale.

This was the black banded cigar, the Peterson Gran Reserva, and according to Peterson's website, it's the toro.

Made in Honduras using a blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran tobaccos, Peterson Cigars are full of taste and flavour. The Cameroon wrapper is slightly sweet yet spicy enough to give the cigar a balanced character from start to finish. The medium body is consistent and satisfying. Gran Reserva are available in five traditional sizes Corona, Robusto, Toro, Belicoso and Churchill

That Cameroon wrapper was a lovely sight, to behold, too.


Now the problem....no one has them online. I just did a cursory search of Mike's Cigars, from their banner ad, then J*R Cigars, Cigars International, Cigars.com, Smoke Inn, Holt's, Famous, Li'l Brown Smoke Shack, and even Shopzilla. Nothing, no one has the brand.

Anyone else try these and like them? Saw a link in a search engine search, from cA giving them an 87, but another cA link says these came out in 2004, from Ashton's northern Honduras factory that also made (at that time) La Aroma de Cuba.

Here's another review from CigarFan, dated July 13, 2006. He lists us in his lists of "Cigar Sites we Like" so perhaps a hit, or two is in order. He clarifies that they're from the Flor de Copan factory.

[Ted]

I too found this brand too late to enjoy. As I recall I smoked my one sample back in early 2010 (snagged from an earlier box pass) and was quite impressed. Excellent flavors and construction.

In doing some research then I found they had already been discontinued for quite some time (2008?). They were still available directly from the Petersen Co in Dublin, but for outrageous prices ($25/ea). This may still be the case.

[TommyBB]

It says "in stock" for 25 pounds. That's like, what? $37.50.

[hermit]

I have a few Petes and I like University Flake,
but I had no idea they made cigars.

[KatDad]

Originally Posted by hermit

but I had no idea they made cigars.

Same here. I was aware of their pipes but had no idea they sold cigars.
Dang, a Honduran Nicaraguan blend with a Cameroon wrapper would have been right up my alley.

[Danno114]

Went through a few boxes back in the day. I was disappointed when they were discontinued

[BigJohn]

Tommy -
I think I may have been the guy who gave that cigar to you, some time back. I bought a box from Cigars International perhaps 4 or 5 years ago, and a couple fivers of the robusto size. I think i have one or 2 robusto left...

yes, nice cigar, and yes, 'discontinued'... *sigh*

[TommyBB]

I've learned that it was a collaboration with Ashton, and as y'all say, they are discontinued.
And, John, thank you for the cigar, you provided me with a nice smoking evening.

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by TommyBB

I've learned that it was a collaboration with Ashton, and as y'all say, they are discontinued.
And, John, thank you for the cigar, you provided me with a nice smoking evening.

I belive it was the evening you met with my wife and I, at that bar with the outdoor deck. Still remember that evening, my friend. and if it was indeed I that gifted you that cigar, you've just gifted back in the most spectacular way by enjoying it!

[TommyBB]

You realize that's been four years? We were meeting there to plan our 25th high school reunion in 2009.