Changing the band is always a risky move in my opinion and at the trade show Nick Perdomo was proudly showing off the new bands for the 20th Anniversary line. Based on pictures and video, the bands are truly amazing. However, the mindset of the consumer is that a new band equals a change to the cigar. Our friends at Hammer + Sickle went through that when they removed a secondary band that denoted Icon when they had to change the name and our friends at Diamond Crown are going through this as well as they added the word classic and changed the band.
Nick Perdomo says the blends will remain the same and we completely believe him when it comes to this as he is a man who would be proud at a blend change. The question is when the new bands roll out will the cynics agree with him. Since I can be more cynical than the average Joe I decided to review the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Connecticut today with the current band and we will review the new band when it comes out.
Cigar: Perdomo 20th Anniversary
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 56
Size: Epicure (Toro Gordo)
The Look: Like the rest of the Perdomo 20th Anniversary line the cigars come a beautiful dress boxes with the Perdomo 20th Logo across the top. The 20th Anniversary has white added to the background which carries over to the band. At first glance the band looks like it might be two separate bands, but there are one with the Perdomo logo, a white background under it and a red pseudo band that denotes 20th Anniversary. As far as the cigar itself, it features one of the most pristine Connecicut wrappers I have seen on a cigar. It’s golden in color, with no veins and a bit of oil to it. The cigar is firm to the touch, with no soft spots and a well packed foot making this an amazing looking stick.
The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar reminds me of a fig newton. There is the fig jelly and cookie component that makes up one of my favorite cookies that is easily identifiable on the cold draw. It’s wonderfully sweet and carries over to the foot of the cigar which also has the slightest hints of spice present as well. Once the cigar is lit the initial note is fresh baked bread.
As we continue into the first third of the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Connecticut Epicure the cigar continues to serve up notes of bread, especially a split top type of loaf that is loaded with butter. As the cigar progresses it gets toasty with a subtle out of wood notes that are especially noticeable on the retrohale that also serves up a molasses like sweetness.
As we enter the second third of the cigar some subtle notes of pepper make their way to their palate as the bread notes begin to take on a sourdough note and hints of butterscotch makes an appearance as well. The retrohale remains consistent with the first third consisting of a subtle spice, and molasses like sweetness while the aroma is woodsy.
As the last third of the cigar comes to a close the bread notes fade away leaving a cigar with a subtle pepper and an abundance of wood. There is still some sweetness on the retrohale right up to the point I put the cigar down.
The Finish: I read a comment from someone today on social media that said, “I never smoke Connecticut cigars.” It’s a statement I’ve heard from the social media crowd numerous times, but the fact is Connecticut shade grown cigars outsell other wrappers by a massive margin. If you allow me to get out my soapbox for a moment, staying away from a Connecticut wrapper means you don’t really understand cigars. If you listen on the Cigar Authority, I am the biggest fan of full bodied strong cigars, but I still smoke Connecticut wrappers more than any other cigar. I think if you smoke this cigar you will understand why I come back to Connecticut time and time again.
Score: 93
Price: $8.89 / $172.99
Perdomo 20 Connecticut
Perdomo 20 Connecticut Foot
Perdomo 20 Connecticut Burn
