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PRE LIGHT; The habano sun grown Ecuadorian  wrapper has a rustic look and an oily sheen. The vitola is well packed and firm to the touch. there’s an aroma of cedar emanating from this toro.This edition is the much-anticipated follow-up to the 1991 ESV. It didn’t disappoint.

FIRST THIRD; I was greeted with a strong sweet cedar burst.With this came  notes of spice flavor and leather.this smoke had a lot going on during the first third of this stick.The aging and melding of the filler was evident as the flavors popped on my palate.

SECOND THIRD; Through out this smoke the draw was easy and full.Plumes of grey/white smoke wafted into the air and lingered thick and sweet.the flavors gave way to a creamy spice and rich cedar. A nutty hint would surface from time to time.The ash was thick,tight,and banded.

LAST THIRD; The bodie of this vitola,wich had begun to build in the second half,continued to climb.The nutty hints continued and the sweet taste of cedar reappeared dancing on my tongue. the long finish was of black tobacco and cedar.

THE FINISH; it’s seldom that a Perdomo cigar will disapoint.This new ESV selection has lived up to its 1991 predecessor(IMO).One of the neat things about this blend is being able to purchase samplers with two of the same size and wrapper.It’s likely I may do another with a different wrapper to see the difference in taste,but I  suggest you give it a try too. After all part of the enjoyment of cigars is experimenting.Nick lets you do this and in turn showcase tabclarea perdomo. This sungrown toro is going into my rotation. you can find out more about this cigar herehttp://perdomocigars.com/  I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I do writing it and reviewing it.ALL THE BEST. SMOKINJOE.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Size: Corona Gorda 5×40

Pre Light

The El Rico Habano (the original version) was blended by Ernesto Perez Carrillo Sr. and was originally blended in 1970. They stopped production in 1994 due to a tobacco shortage but were relaunched by his son EP Carrillo Jr. in 2001. The ones I am smoking for this review are from the pre 1994 run but I’m not exactly sure what year. It is a full bodied stick with a light caramel colored wrapper that has a sweet barnyard aroma. The wrapper is aged and rustic looking with minimal veins. After snipping the cap the draw is free and has an earthy and slight pepper flavor to it.

1^st Third

After lighting up the El Rico I am quickly hit with some pepper but it fades just as fast as it appeared. I am then met with a rich cocoa flavor to go along with the slight pepper that still hanging around. The burn is pretty even and the ash is a dark grey and seems to be holding on strong.

2^nd Third

And I am back! The middle portion of this cigar is around the same as the first with the slight pepper and cocoa but I was pleasantly met with an underlying leather aftertaste. The burn has been excellent with tons of smoke coming off both ends of the cigar.

Final Third

I have reached the end of my cigar and I am not a happy man. Not because it was a bad experience but because I am regretting the not having another to smoke. The last inch or so the pepper kicked back up with a slight wood flavor coming and going at times. Didn’t have to relight or touch up the cigar once even though it was slightly windy out.

Overall

I really enjoyed this cigar even though it wasn’t overly complex the flavors were still there. I am interested in trying the new run to see how they measure up to the old ones. Anyone who has tried them please let me know how your experience was.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Super Bowl Sunday and stayed safe.

Keep em burnin’

Griff

Wrapper: Habano

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Dominican/Nicaragua

SIZE; 5×50

PRE LIGHT; the parejo shaped robusto sized Excelsior has a smooth habano wrapper that is flawless and milk chocolate in color.There is a good heft to this cigar and the entubar rolling metheod is evident at the foot.I recieved this cigar from one of our advertisers,EAST COAST CIGARS, who recently began to stock this brand.

FIRST HALF;on lighting the foot there is a pleasant medium flavor of spice and sweet tobacco. about an Inch into this smoke I noticed a slight ramping up of flavors with an introduction of  pepper and toast.This ramping up of flavor continued into the second half.  over all this smoke was creamy with plumes of smoke. the ash was tight and clinged to the half way mark.

SECOND HALF;This vitola began a steady increase in flavor,the spice giving way to pepper and strong but sweet tobacco flavor.During this second half, the flavors played about from full to medium in flavor; while retaining a medium body through out.I  really enjoyed this smoke.The construction and draw were flawless.

THE WRAPP UP: The CREMO line of cigars have just recently began to roll out nationwide. I think this blend would be perfect with a double espresso Or strong robust flavored coffee due to its creamy flavor and notes of spice and pepper. At this time local distribution is on going.However East Coast cigars has them in stock w free shipping. (their link is to right). I like to mix up my cigars in both flavor and bodie.(who eats same thing every day and every meal) And this blend fits the bill nicely. More info on the line can be found herehttp://www.cremocigars.com/  I think this blend knocks it out of park.-ALL THE BEST SMOKINJOE