Perdomo ESV 1991 Regente (5x54)

This is a well aged cigar from my collection and it has been sitting for about 3 years before I decide to give it a go. The wrapper is a nice blond Connecticut that has gained a silky layer of plume after all these years. I inspect the rest of the cigar and find no issues with it. The pre light aroma is a bit dusty, but there are some hints of light wood and tobacco here. The pre light draw is thin, but shows some floral essence and some spice.

The cigar opens with some flat notes of light wood and spice, I am very disappointed with the opening salvo from this cigar. The overall smoke lacks complexity and depth, while not maintaining any balance at all. At the back of the palate there is some sort of acidic burn going on and it makes me contemplate laying the cigar down. The burn and draw are both excellent, at this point I wish the draw wasn't.

The first half of the cigar improves dramatically from the opening moments, thank the cigar gods! The profile shifts into a very interesting mix of graham cracker and light nutty tones, the sweetness here is splendid, it really is not my thing in a cigar, but serves as an interesting change of pace. At the back of the palate there is a very nuanced, yet balanced, presentation of light spice and cedar that makes the overall effect of the profile intriguing. The burn and draw are solid to this point, nothing spectacular, but nothing is wrong either.

The final half of the cigar deteriorates for me, and I am happy that this bi-polar cigar experience is winding down. The profile has become lackluster and shows some dusty, papery flavors that have a bitter tone to them. At the back of the palate there are some cedar notes trying to show through, but there is a bitter, aspirin like quality in this segment of the smoke. The draw and burn remain solid throughout.

The finish was short and acrid.

Appearance- 93 a very nice looking smoke
Taste- 78 just too all over the place for me, very unfortunate
Construction- 88 slightly above average
Strength- 85 a very non-descript medium
Overall- 85, very average saved by the middle portion of the smoke and appearance

Perdomo 91 ESV Regente Maduro

This is a beautiful cigar. The wrapper is a deep, earth brown reminiscent of ground coffee beans. There is one prominent vein, but overall the cigar looks inviting. An inspection and light probing show a cigar that is supple and appropriately sturdy. The pre light aroma is awash with barnyard odors, usually a sign of great things to come. The pre light draw is light and has notes of cocoa and rich tobacco.

The cigar opens with a bit of a tight draw, but the flavors are rich and full. There are notes of rich tobacco, cocoa and roasted nuts with a complimentary creaminess in the smoke. The burn has taken off well and is razor sharp during the first inch. The cigar stays in this manner until almost the halfway point.

Just before the halfway point this cigar begins to mellow out (a little disconcerting for me initially and I look for cigars to strengthen at this point) with a pleasant cedar flavor with undertones of cocoa and coffee. The complexity is just short of being profound for a cigar that is actually mellowing as I smoke it further. The burn and construction have stayed true all the way to the two thirds mark.

The final third intensifies slightly and I am noting an earthy essence paired with notes of coffee and light woody flavors. The burn and draw are still excellent.

The finish is long a pleasing with notes of coffee, cedar and light earth mingling on the palate.

Appearance- 92 an excellent looking smoke
Taste- 91 surprisingly complex
Construction- 94 I encountered no issues
Strength- 90 an excellent medium smoke that could use some more kick
Overall- 91.75