Cigar Reviewed: Perla del Mar Maduro

Smoked at: Norman, OK

Appearance: Very dark brown box press. The wrapper did have some very minor bruising, but nothing to complain about. The wrapper had almost no hint of oil, and a almost zero shine. The initial aroma reminded me of raisins or prunes for some reason, which made me nervous to give it a try.

First third: The cigar light very quickly and burned evenly and easily - no resistance on the draw. Immediately you get notes of coffee, cocoa, and some kind of spice - maybe clove? nutmeg? And the pepper gives you a roundhouse kick to the face. Immediately a strong cigar. This stick also generates a very good amount of smoke, and the construction was out of this world. The ash just would not fall. I smoked the whole thing and only had 4 chunks of ash. On the nose, you get some cedar and maybe a hint of sweet leather.

The 2nd third was more like a chocolate graham cracker taste and the aroma was definitely more chocolate and coffee. Maybe a hint of candied sugar. The spice and pepper were gone, this was a dessert cigar at this point. I did have to touch up the burn here, but not dramatically. The amount of smoke generated is still absolutely phenomenal.

Final third continued with some of the cracker and chocolate with the pepper making a very subtle return with some hints of dark chocolate or coffee - a little bitter and some of the sweetness and faded. The intensity as well as dialed way back from a full-strength to more of a medium-full, but still plenty of flavor and smoke.

Overall, the smoke and construction of this thing is an absolute joy. Only had to touch up the cigar once, and the draw was smooth throughout with virtually zero resistance. The only thing that I wish was different, was the spice/pepper being carried throughout. The cigar definitely becomes sweeter in the 2nd third but makes a slight comeback in the final third. Definitely a box-worthy cigar!