The Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne Maduro Epicure stands out with its box-pressed 6"x54 frame, priced at $219.38 for a box of 25. This Nicaraguan puro features a bourbon barrel-aged Maduro wrapper that's been through the Perdomo family's secret "Champagne" aging process. The medium-full bodied smoke delivers consistent draws with decent smoke output - I found it burns cleaner than most Maduros in its class.
The initial puffs reveal heavy oak notes with molasses sweetness. Some peppery spice hits the back of the throat but settles quickly. Smoke production surprised me - thicker than typical box-pressed cigars, requiring slower pacing.
Dark chocolate emerges at the halfway point, mixing with espresso bitterness. The earthy base intensifies but stays smooth. Burn line stayed sharp without needing corrections in my testing.
Leather and roasted nut flavors dominate the last inch. Some tarry buildup occurs but less harsh than expected. I recommend purging at 60% mark for cleaner finish.
The oily wrapper held up beautifully during testing. All samples maintained firm ash past 1.5" mark. Storage matters - cigars kept at 65% RH performed significantly better in burn consistency.
Priced slightly higher than standard Maduros but justifies through consistent construction. Better aged 6+ months - the barrel-aging process integrates better over time. Not beginner-friendly due to nicotine strength.
