A few weeks ago on The Cigar Authority we spoke about cigars that come in under $5.00 and the Perla P does just that. However, today I opted to review the Toro, which is also known as the Perla G. I first became aware of these cigars in Miami, however this is my first time smoking one. We will label this cigar review, First Impressions.
According to the Perla Del Mar website the Perla G is “Smooth, silky smoke with the caramel and woody taste ever-present, and spice that includes a formidable taste you’ve become accustom too, with a Connecticut wrapper and foot aroma as an excellent mix of earth and well-fermented tobacco.”
Do we agree with that assessment…
Cigar: Perla del Mar
Size: 5.25 x 54 (Perla G)
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: Mild-medium
Source: Two Guys Smoke Shop
The Look: The Perla del Mar has a paper bag brown color wrapper and I’ll be honest this is what has kept me from smoking it in the past. I guess I profile my cigars, and that isn’t always a good thing. The band of the cigar has primary colors of blue and gold that always grab my eye when I see them on the shelves. In the hand the cigar feels smooth with the exception of a few veins under the underside of the cigar. The foot is well packed and the cigar if pretty hefty in the hand.
The Notes: The cold draw of the smoke has a sweetness to it and a smokiness while the foot of the cigar serves up a caramel like aroma. So far this cigar is nothing like the preconceived notion I had before hand. Once the cigar is lit, it is toasty with a slight buttery almond note.
The first third of the Perla del Mar continues to deliver notes of almonds and butter, but there is also a toasty goodness to the cigar which compliments the other flavors and as the first third comes to a close the notes of almonds become more pecan line.
The second third sees the buttery notes fade as the pecan note begins to take hold as the dominant flavor of the cigar. As we transition past the half way point of the cigar some warm caramel notes begin to develop and create a bit of a wow factor for me. The caramel remains with some continued nuttiness. As the cigar begins its transition into the final third…
A citrus note begins to develop as re remove the band and the toasty goodness experienced on the first third f the smoke returns giving this cigar an enjoyable finish. Other notes in the last third were nuts and wood.
The Burn: The burn line of the cigar is razor-thin and even throughout the smoking experience. I’ll be honest that I didn’t expect that based on my preconceived notions. The light color ash was a tad flaky but it held on for a few inches at a time and the draw of the cigar had just the right amount of resistance for my preference.
The Finish: Perla del Mar where have you been all my life. While this isn’t the best cigar I have ever smoked it turned out to be the best surprise. A mild to medium cigar with some complexity and flavor changes will have me coming back to this again. While the cigar looks like a plain Jane it was anything but and is a winner from the J.C. Newman family that I am sure gets overlooked way to often.
Score: 91
Price: $5.99
Perla del Mar
Perla del Mar Foot
