Reader Request Cigar Review: The Perdomo Lot 23

Hi guys, Cigar Czar here today with the Perdomo Lot 23 Belicoso. This was requested for review from reader Chris McCoy. This cigar was created initially as an experiment from Perdomo, they started a new crop, which they entitled Lot 23, which was grown specifically to be fermented longer. When the crop was harvested, however, they discovered that the leaf did not blend well with foreign wrappers, instead they found that it worked much better with leaf that came from the same plot of land. This became the puro Nicaraguan cigar, Perdomo Lot 23.

Looking at this cigar is what you’d expect from a cigar. The outer wrapper was a standard, even brown with not much vein save for one or two big veins. It was well wrapped, nice and even, after punching with my Cigar Spike™, I found it had a nice draw, not too hard, not too light. Lighting was pretty easy and the burn remained fairly consistent and even. The ash was unremarkable, a mottled light gray, although it did cling for almost half the cigar.

Flavor on the other hand, started out almost as a spiced apple flavor with a hint of cedar and anise. This was the only flavor that remained throughout almost the entire cigar, until about the 2/3 mark, where the flavor became a little more complex with the cedar becoming a bit more pronounced, otherwise not offering much else in flavor.

Overall this was an enjoyable cigar, good construction notes with a good consistent flavor. The only thing I would say about this cigar is that it needed more complexity or maturity in the flavor. What flavor was the there was thoroughly tasty. Thanks to Chris McCoy for recommending this cigar for review!