Let's talk about the Perdomo Double Aged 12-Year Vintage Sun Grown Epicure - a Nicaraguan powerhouse that'll make your palate sit up straight. This 6x56 toro-sized stogie comes in boxes of 24, carrying a mid-range price tag of $232.20 that positions it as a special occasion smoke rather than daily driver. The real flex here? That Ecuadorian Sumatra sun-grown wrapper leaf that's been through Perdomo's signature double-aging process - 10 years in bales followed by 2 years in bourbon barrels. Makes you wonder if the tobacco gets retirement benefits after this marathon aging.
The cold draw punches you with black pepper and damp earth notes - like sniffing a freshly opened bag of potting soil. Initial combustion releases cedar shavings and espresso bitterness, though the retrohale surprises with caramelized banana undertones. Smoke output feels restrained, making you work for those flavor pockets.
At the 2" mark, the cigar finds its rhythm. The pepper backs off to reveal roasted hazelnuts and leather-bound book aromas. Watch for the occasional cinnamon zing on the retrohale - subtle but persistent like a metronome. Burn line stays razor-sharp, ash holding firm in 1" chunks. This is where that 12-year aging shows its worth, smoothing out what could otherwise be harsh transitions.
Approaching the band, the body shifts gears. Dark chocolate bitterness takes center stage with anise undertones. Construction holds steady but nicotine accumulation becomes noticeable - keep sugar packets handy. Savory smokers will appreciate the umami finish reminiscent of porcini mushrooms, though casual enthusiasts might tap out before the nub.
Rolled in Perdomo's Esteli factory using tobaccos from their Nicaraguan farms. The double-aging process starts with bale fermentation in tropical heat, then moves to white oak bourbon barrels - no half measures here. This meticulous process explains the wrapper's oily sheen that glints like liquid mercury under good lighting.
