Let's dive into the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Connecticut Epicure - a 6x56 Toro that's been making waves as the "Bourbon Barrel Beauty." Priced at $226.80 for 24 cigars, this Nicaraguan puro features an 8-year-aged Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper that spent extra months soaking up bourbon barrel magic. The real showstopper? That creamy draw that hits like melted butter on warm toast.
The cold draw serves sweet hay and vanilla. Upon lighting, heavy cream dominates with toasted cashews underneath. Cedar notes emerge at the 1/2" burn mark, accompanied by faint white pepper on retrohale. Smoke output measures medium, with razor-sharp burn requiring zero touch-ups.
Creaminess dials back to 70% as baked bread and honey take center stage. The wrapper's bourbon barrel treatment shines through - think soaked oak staves rather than actual whiskey flavors. Ash holds firm at 1.5" before dropping. Watch for occasional tar buildup near the cap if smoked too fast.
At the 45-minute mark, roasted almonds and saddle leather appear. The Nicaraguan filler shows its teeth with increased pepper presence - not harsh, but noticeable compared to earlier segments. Body creeps into medium territory while maintaining Connecticut's signature smoothness.
The bourbon-aged Ecuadorian wrapper gets paired with Nicaraguan binder from Jalapa's sweet leaf and filler blending Estelí's strength with Condega's balance. All tobaccos aged minimum 8 years before rolling at Perdomo's Estelí factory. The barrel aging adds depth without overpowering Connecticut's natural sweetness.
