La Tradicion Cabinet Series Perdomo Reserve

[jefslat]

I have decided to take on a bit of a challenge; as a predominanty Cuban cigar smoker, I am going to review a series of non-Cuban cigars, just to see if I have truly been spoiled beyond repair...

The Perdomo La Tradicion Cabinet Reserve "D" is a figurado, tapered on both ends, 54 ring by 6-3/4". This cigar had a smooth, medium brown wrapper (Cuban cafe) with some color variations and a smooth tapered head, which clipped with some very slight damage to the wrapper using my Xicar. It was firmly bunched without being hard. The pre-light draw was a bit easier than I'm accustomed to without being too loose.

Upon lighting, the cigar yielded a pleasant "round" aroma of tobacco. It continued to draw easily with good smoke on a double-draw. It burned evenly until about 1/2 inch in, where it began to burn unevenly down one side, requiring frequent touch-ups. It had a conical coal with a light grey ash.

The smoke gave a medium richness with a bit of a sweetness at the draw. Overall it was a bit one-dimensional with medium-bodied flavor. The one real downfall was a fairly bitter aftertaste that required a cola to break it off of the palate. My usual ice water would not have been enough.

Overall, the cigar had an agreeable character and medium body. The only real problem I had, except for the uneven burn, was the bitterness of the aftertaste. Still, overall a good cigar, and probably much better for the smoker not inured to the complexities of Cuban tobacco.

Overall score: 37/50