Abe Flores. owner and Master Blender of PDR has reblended and redesigned the PDR 1878 line. Additionally the cigar has a new name as well, PDR 1878 Recordando a Santiago. The name translates to “Remembering Santiago,” the city in the Dominican Republic where so many cigar factories including PDR Cigars is headquartered. The new eye-catching boxes features artwork that is synonymous with the Dominican Republic and was designed by artist Fabian Barrantes.
Cigar Review: PDR 1878 Recordando a Santiago
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown Claro
Binder: Dominican Criollo 98
Filler: Dominican Corojo Seco & Ligero
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Size: Toro
The Look: As mentioned the box features colorful eye catching artwork include the Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración as well as a red Cadillac. It is said that the cigars will be limited to 5,000 boxes per year and will only be made until travel returns to normal to the country. Inside the box of 20 cigars, the Sun Grown wrapper has a nice amount of oils visible and a pigtail cap along with a closed foot. There are two bands one of blue, black, white and silver denotes the line and a secondary sheath at the foot of the cigar with an oversized PDR logo.
The Notes: The cold draw of the PDR 1878 Recordando a Santiago has a subtle sweetness that reminds me of grape bubble yum, along with a touch of sesame seeds. The foot of the cigar with the closed wrapper is leathery with a touch of sweetness. Once the cigar is quickly lit the initial notes from the wrapper is wheat toast with a hint of rye.
As we move into the first third the bread like notes continue for about a half inch before they abruptly stop. The cigar at that point becomes smooth and creamy with a touch of cream, nuts, and warm baking spices while the finish sees lingering leather. The retrohale is smooth with a touch of cocoa and cream.
The second third sees continues notes of cream with the addition of toasted caramel and a touch of wheat. The finish of the cigar continues to see cocoa with a lingering leather. The retrohale sees brown sugar and nuttiness with some toasted caramel which enhances that on the palate.
The last third sees the leather notes become the focal point but there is a nice underlying mocha sweetness with a touch of rye toast. The retrohale sees the addition some pepper although its mild with some earth and cedar.
The Finish: When my co-worker came back from the PCA Trade show he gave a PDR and I will admit I made an audible grown. He assured me the blend changed and I should give it a try with an open mind. From the first light it was obvious this cigar was different then my memory of the 1878 line which wasn’t very good one. As I got lost in the cigar, my first words were, when are these coming in. I smoked a few once the order arrived and it lived up to bar set by the sample. The new packaging will call your eye to the box on the shelf, but the blend will keep you coming back.
Score: 93
Price: $8.39 / $146.99
PDR 1878 Recordando a Santiago Sun Grown
PDR 1878 Recordando a Santiago Sun Grown Foot
PDR 1878 Recordando a Santiago Sun Grown Burn
