Stogie Reviews: Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Robusto
15 Dec 2008
You won’t find much information online about this relatively obscure cigar. Perdomo’s extensive website doesn’t even mention the blend, and my emails to the company have gone unanswered so far. All this is a shame, especially since I was pretty pleased with the three Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Robustos that I smoked for this review.
Here’s what I do know: The line features a Cuban-seed binder and filler from Nicaragua and a triple-fermented Connecticut shade wrapper. As with many anniversary cigars, this one was created to celebrate Tabacalera Perdomo’s ten years in the business.
The five inch by 54 ring gauge Robusto looks like many Connecticut shade smokes, albeit save for the orange-yellow cellophane in which it is wrapped. The wrapper leaf is oily, light, and clean, and the stick is firm and tightly packed with an overall feel of quality. The unique band is as huge as it is ornate.
Now for those of you who consider yourselves too macho for Connecticut shade tobacco, don’t write off the Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne just yet—this unassuming stick packs a lot more flavor than you’d think. While the main profile of sweet hay and grass is predictable, it is partnered with heavier, more unexpected notes of pepper, smoky wood, and cereals.
I don’t want to give you the impression this Perdomo rivals a 601 Oscuro. It doesn’t. But it incorporates more complexity and flavor than many Connecticuts, even after the taste settles down after the midway point.
While the construction isn’t impeccable, it’s better than most cigars that sell for around $130 per box of 25. The white ash is a little too flakey as it layers gorgeously atop the fairly straight burn. The draw is deliberate but easy. Despite some reviews I’ve read, I had no trouble keeping my three samples lit.
My overall verdict is that this is a solid, multifaceted smoke with more taste than meets the eyes. Don’t pass up the Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Robusto as a delicious early evening cocktail smoke. I give it three and a half stogies out of five.
[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here. Cigars for this review were provided by Cigars Direct. You can purchase Perdomo cigars from Cigars Direct here.]
photo credit: Stogie Guys
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Never heard of these, but I've always liked the non-10th Anniversary line of the Reserve.
I had many reasons not to like this cigar – Perdomo and Ct. shade wrapper. But I did. While not as full bodied as I would have preferred, it is great for what it is. What is lacks in strength, is more than made up with flavor. If you are looking for a morning or early afternoon cigar, you will be quite satisfied.
I’d been a huge fan of the Perdomo La Tradicion Champagne line and I’d been meaning to try these so when an on line special 5-pk 10th Anniversary Champagne Epicures for $17.95 can up I got 15 of sticks and free shipping and tossed them in the humidor. I smoked a couple just last week. The good news is my experience has been very similar to Patrick A.’s in this review. The sad news is the original Perdomo La Tradicion Champagne line offered better flavor, quality and construction.
3.5 smokes? C'mon guys. This is my fav go to smoke. Its light, creamy and very flavorful. I think its worth at least 4 smokes.
I did something I have been know to do in the past and that's start to smoke and untried brand and then read the review midway to compare notes. I decided to light up after dinner and take my time and enjoy the quiet rain while sitting on my front porch. This stick is indeed deceptively more complex than I anticipated. The burn was straight and consistent. I'm normally a big fan of legiro packed smokes and thought I would be disappointed by this cigar but just the opposite. The review given here was spot on.
What a great smoke. For those that sick a nose up to anything but maduro u will find this smoke a wonderful complex change of pace. Enjoy!
Wow, I too thought that the Conn wrapper spelled lightweight…Not a lightweight smoke at all The Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne really delivers some complexity with controlled strength. Nice, recommended as a cigar you won't think you've smoked a hundred times before…Unique and tasty.
Okay. I'll admit this was my first cigar I've ever tried. I got it on recommendation from the cigar shop close to me. Wow! I admit initial fear of something without a filter, but this was the best dang smoke I've ever had! Light and creamy. Better than most pipe tobaccos I've tried before.