Perdomo Special Craft Series Amber

Originally released in 2015; The Perdomo Special Craft Series is a series of cigars that was blended to pair specifically with beer. Following the business model of Perdomo, the cigar was released in three wrappers Connecticut (Pilsner), Maduro (Stout) and today’s review Amber (Sungrown).

The cigar which we review today is part of the Sponsor’s Deal on The Cigar Authority where each week we will offer a special sampler of cigars that are advertisers on the weekly podcast.

Cigar Review: Perdomo Special Craft Series Amber
Size: Robusto (5.5 x 54)
Wrapper: Nicaragua Sun Grown (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaragua (Condega)
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli)
Strength: Medium

The Look: The Perdomo Special Craft Series comes in dress boxes of 24 cigars. Inside, the cigar is wrapped in a sheath that represents the type of beer one should pair the cigar with, which in this case is an amber. Once the large band is removed a secondary smaller band is underneath and denotes the brand name and the fact it is Hand Crafted for Beer Enthusiasts. The Sun Grown wrapper has some tooth to it with a few veins present. Rolled to perfection the cigar reveals no soft spots and a well packed foot.

The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar has notes of earth that reminds me of the morning dew and a touch of barnyard. The aroma off the foot of the cigar serves up notes of both nuts and a touch of cedar.

Once the cigar is cut and lit the smoke takes on a totally different profile than the cold draw experience. The first third sees notes of caramel and a touch of floral elements on the palate. Through the nose there is a subtle pepper and as the first third comes to a close a note begins to develop that is reminiscent of a streak on the BBQ.

Entering the second third, that meat like note that appeared on the first third becomes dominant until the half way point of the cigar when it disappears completely. The cigar at this point begins to develop a subtle sweetness of dark chocolate with some nuttiness and subtle honey. Through the nose the cigar becomes slightly floral with hints of pepper.

Moving into the final third of the Perdomo Special Craft the cigar begins to take on a note of rye and wheat with nuttiness on the finish. The complex smoke serves up some more notes of wheat on the retrohale with some pepper as well on this medium strength stick.

The Burn: The Perdomo Special Craft burns slow and true. The razor-sharp thin combustion line reveals a white ash that holds for nearly the first half of the cigar with no flake. The draw was perfect offering up the right amount of resistance and the cigar remained lit from first light to last puff.

The Finish: I am not a beer drinker, so when these cigars first came out I wasn’t sure if they were for me since I wouldn’t be pairing them up with anything. However, as you can expect from Perdomo, the cigar was extremely enjoyable without the pairing. Deep complex flavors made this smoke extremely enjoyable any worthy of the purchase.

Score: 93
Price: $7.29 / $151.99