Duc
02-20-2001, 02:48 PM
I smoked this perfecto this morning while sitting on my front porch. I should have waited a few hours because it is now approaching 50 degrees whereas this morning it was in the high 30’s.
Brand: La Perla Habana
Name: Maduro
Shape: Perfecto
Cost: I don’t remember
Overall Appearance: To me this is the "classic" perfecto shape. It had a deep brown to black maduro wrapper. The wrapper was veined but not overly so. It was perfectly shaped with the even taper on both ends and the bulge in the middle. On top of that, it has what I think is a classic beauty of a ring bringing back memories of cigars past that had classic beauties on the boxes. Score-9
Quality and Construction: The construction on this cigar was exception in my opinion. It rates up there with more expensive cigars but at the price I paid for one, I would expect no less. The pre-light draw was just about perfect in my opinion. Not too tight, not too loose. Like Goldilocks would say—"just right." This cigar was also packed well. No noticeable soft spots. Score-9
Aroma: The pre-light aroma was very nice. Had spicy hints. After lighting I found it pleasant, although my wife came outside and started coughing and said, "Does that thing taste good?" If I could find a cigar I liked to smoke with an aroma my wife could stand that would be quite the feat. Score 8+
Flavor & Aftertaste: The flavor on this cigar developed and changed over time. On the light up it tasted like a Dominican, which it is. The first third, mild with hints of different spices. The second third the taste got stronger but was never unpleasant. The spiciness seemed to decrease and the strong coffee flavors began. Upon reaching the final third the flavors stayed consistent with strong coffee—expresso maybe and maybe a little wood. I have seen others call this leather. What I did notice is around this stage the finish became dry. The aftertaste was never really harsh nor did it become so. This cigar never really went, what I call "South" like some cigars do. The flavors changed and then stayed consistent. Aftertaste is good, not great but a solid good. Score-8
Burn & Ash: Burn was good with a gray ash. The burn started out uneven which was entirely my fault during lighting. It self-leveled though. A couple of times I had to correct the burn with a hit from the torch but this was probably due more to my impatience rather than the quality of the cigar. Score-8
Overall Smoking Experience: This was a good cigar and a nice change of pace for me. Dominican’s normally are mild to my taste buds but this had some changes in pace and was an enjoyable smoke. I would call this a medium bodied smoke more to the mild side. Not much in the way of power, but I don’t necessarily like falling down from cigars. Score-8+ to a 9-.
Comments: I am glad I dropped the dollars to try this cigar and glad that I have another in the humidor. At the right price I would even consider buying a box and also would like trying the natural.
Brand: La Perla Habana
Name: Maduro
Shape: Perfecto
Cost: I don’t remember
Overall Appearance: To me this is the "classic" perfecto shape. It had a deep brown to black maduro wrapper. The wrapper was veined but not overly so. It was perfectly shaped with the even taper on both ends and the bulge in the middle. On top of that, it has what I think is a classic beauty of a ring bringing back memories of cigars past that had classic beauties on the boxes. Score-9
Quality and Construction: The construction on this cigar was exception in my opinion. It rates up there with more expensive cigars but at the price I paid for one, I would expect no less. The pre-light draw was just about perfect in my opinion. Not too tight, not too loose. Like Goldilocks would say—"just right." This cigar was also packed well. No noticeable soft spots. Score-9
Aroma: The pre-light aroma was very nice. Had spicy hints. After lighting I found it pleasant, although my wife came outside and started coughing and said, "Does that thing taste good?" If I could find a cigar I liked to smoke with an aroma my wife could stand that would be quite the feat. Score 8+
Flavor & Aftertaste: The flavor on this cigar developed and changed over time. On the light up it tasted like a Dominican, which it is. The first third, mild with hints of different spices. The second third the taste got stronger but was never unpleasant. The spiciness seemed to decrease and the strong coffee flavors began. Upon reaching the final third the flavors stayed consistent with strong coffee—expresso maybe and maybe a little wood. I have seen others call this leather. What I did notice is around this stage the finish became dry. The aftertaste was never really harsh nor did it become so. This cigar never really went, what I call "South" like some cigars do. The flavors changed and then stayed consistent. Aftertaste is good, not great but a solid good. Score-8
Burn & Ash: Burn was good with a gray ash. The burn started out uneven which was entirely my fault during lighting. It self-leveled though. A couple of times I had to correct the burn with a hit from the torch but this was probably due more to my impatience rather than the quality of the cigar. Score-8
Overall Smoking Experience: This was a good cigar and a nice change of pace for me. Dominican’s normally are mild to my taste buds but this had some changes in pace and was an enjoyable smoke. I would call this a medium bodied smoke more to the mild side. Not much in the way of power, but I don’t necessarily like falling down from cigars. Score-8+ to a 9-.
Comments: I am glad I dropped the dollars to try this cigar and glad that I have another in the humidor. At the right price I would even consider buying a box and also would like trying the natural.