I have for you again another cigar that premiered at this year’s IPCPR. This time, we’re taking a look at the new offering from Perdomo, named the Patriarch. In keeping with the name, this cigar is dedicated to the late Nicholas Perdomo Senior, the original patriarch of the brand. In fact, the word is that the cigars are based on Perdomo Senior’s favorite blends of tobacco. The cigar is a Nicaraguan puro, comprised of leaves from Esteli, Condega and Jalapa.
The really interesting story is how I came by this cigar. I didn’t pick it up at the show (though I did get a picture of me with Nick Perdomo), I actually got it from a rep. A rep for another cigar company! Of course, he couldn’t exactly get away with smoking a Perdomo cigar while he made his rounds, so he donated said stick to science. And by science, I mean for me to review. Close enough. That must mean it’s time for some science.
But before we put on our lab coats, a quick note. Generally I try to smoke several cigars for a review, in this case, I was only able to get my hands on one in time. Let’s hope that this smoke is a good representative of the line!
Cigar Stats:
Size: 6 1/2 x 54
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Smoking Time: 2 1/2 hours
Beverage: Water
Price: ~$9.00
The Pre-Smoke
For a special, commemorative cigar, it has a pretty understated, unpretentious appearance. It does have dual bands, but they are very small, clean and functional. The band near the head tells you that yes, this is a Perdomo cigar. The foot band tells you the name of the cigar. Very practical, but not unattractive.
Looking the cigar over, I found it slightly lumpy but visually smooth and pretty oily. I didn’t notice any imperfections anywhere, or any soft spots. All in all, a pretty good looking, well packed cigar.
The scent of the wrapper was a very strong compost with some chocolate notes. I also tested the scent at the foot and found it to be composty as well, but with some hay, and even more interesting, some berry. The cold taste was all sweet chocolate.
The Burn
After a thorough toasting of the foot, it wasn’t more than a puff or two that I noticed this cigar was starting to burn unevenly. As it turns out, this was a sign of things to come, as the cigar very rarely maintained an even burn line the entire time I smoked it. Even frequent touch ups couldn’t keep it even for long, at least not until the final third. And the cigar did require a couple of relights in the second third, which did have the side effect of evening things out a bit.
On the bright side, the ash was pretty solid. I got a nice length of light ash that held on for a respectable inch and a half. It wasn’t the most attractive ash though. It seemed to form large cracks around every quarter of an inch.
Another positive is that this cigar is a slow burner, which I rather enjoyed.
The Flavor
Though this the corojo cigar it had a lot of flavor elements that had me wondering if it was the maduro. Right of the bat I got a great combination of cocoa, nuts with a bit of earth, and of course, a sweet, mildly spicy corojo flavor. The first third also developed some great creamy coffee and caramel flavors.
Just before the second third began, the cigar took on some cedar and by this point the corojo I tasted in the first third was all but gone. The second third was began with a lot great, creamy, almost peanutbuttery flavors with occasional honey sweetness. Toward the end of this third, the flavors moved more toward dark chocolate, earth and a little bit of leather.
The final third surprised me by returning to a more rich, less dark chocolate, a reappearance of coffee and some very tasty caramel. There was also some rich tobacco and leather flavors in this third.
The Price
I think a lot of people will find the price of this cigar a little high for a day to day smoke. The good news is that the smaller vitolas retail for a more affordable $6.00.
The Verdict
Overall, I’d say this was a solid, enjoyable smoke. The burn was less than stellar, but turned out to be not much more than a minor irritation. It’s definitely not something that would prevent me from smoking more Patriarchs in the future. In fact, I think It’s very likely I will sample some of the other vitolas in the future. The flavor profile was very enjoyable, and definitely kept my interest the entire time. My understanding is that this cigar is now available (though I haven’t seen them yet in my local shops), and I would encourage you to pick a couple up and give them a shot.
Liked It: Yes
Buy It Again: Probably
Recommend It: Yes, it’s worthing trying out.
Tower of Burn
Here for your viewing pleasure is my trademark Tower of Burn.
Great review. Glad to hear it was a good smoke, I like all of perdomos other cigars so I cant wait to try these.
Where’s the video? I voted for it because I was promised a video. 😐
Great review Brian. 😀
Thanks guys!
Sorry Ratters,
I have a slight problem right now. Two of my main sources of lighting are out right now. Last night I realized there was just no way a video was gonna happen. I’ll try and make it up to you this weekend!
I kinda like the bands actually…they are almost humble looking for the Patriarch name.
I’m dying to get my hands on these. I tried the new blend of the Perdomo Squared Red label and enjoyed it.
Definitely interested in trying these. Just finished the paperwork with Perdomo to carry their cigars in the shop, and I’m excited to get a box of these in the store.
Agreed Jon W.,
Though I do actually enjoy the incredibly ornate bands on some Perdomo cigars (the Habano especially), I like the humble understated approach. In a way, I think it honors both the cigar and Nick, Sr. more this way.
I think you’ll like ’em C.J.
Mount Chuck,
This have been released, so hopefully you’ll be getting them soon!
I’m going to have to track down one of the Maduros. As a fan of Corojo and Maduro in general, it will be interesting to see which I like more. It could go either way!
Liked the review, but honestly this cigar is not worth the asking price. And to top it off its backordered on the internet.
Luckily its available locally for almost half what the big internet retailers are selling it for. Give me a break this is not a 9 buck cigar, sorry Nick, lower the price.
I have a local B&M that Has EVERYTHING the only cigar I wish to try they don’t have is the Tatuaje Black. But other than that they have everything in almost all vitolas Needless to say its a HUGE humidor.
So as I was getting some of my usual’s (Tat Reds, and Camancho Corojo’s) I decided to try a new Corojo and picked up a Patriarch in a Carona size. It has a light Corojo wrapper it was VERY smooth and the review was pretty much the same. Uneven burn Slow burner holds almost 2 in ash although in the smaller ring it is less flaky and longer. I like cigars with foot bands as it keeps the foot nice and crisp. In all I found this to be an average cigar (I am no a huge Perdomo Fan so I may be a bit biased)
Personally I don’t think I will be buying more I really like the Camancho Corojo’s and being about the same price in my area (California) both brands are about the same price so I will stick with my Camancho Corojo’s for now (I really think its due to the fact that the Camancho is all Corojo filler and I don’t know if this is the same for the Perdomo.
In all Its a good cigar but it wont become one of my new favorites but i bet it will be for some others. Personally I also think that it is overpriced for what it is it is the same price as the Camacho which is a Much higher quality cigar. a corona cost me 9 bucks and I think it should have been $6-$7 maybe even $8 but not $9 I think the Churchills should be about $10 or $11 and then the rest should follow the same price downgrade. (its all about the Perdomo Name that brings the price tag. IMO)
Forgot to add one thing The best part of the cigar or the “Sweet Spot” is right before you start hitting the last third making me think a Lonsdale or possibly a Churchill would be nice.
This was a great smoke. Mine burned evenly, however required a relight about 2/3 thru. Solid taste. I do recommend.
This cigar is the Bomb…. I have not tried the Camacho Corojo but based on what I’ve read thus far, I might give it a shot… For those looking to purchase single sticks from a great online shop with free shipping, try Tampahumidor.com. They may not have the most extensive selection but i really like that the shipping is free and the send humi pillows with every purchase….
Happy Smoking….
I use to smoke the Habano series. Unfortunately, they began canoeing more than a flotilla of Mohawk Indians. I believe Perdomo has a problem with bad rollers. The only cigar from Perdomo I find constructed
well is the Silvios, expensive but a great stick.
The cigar was transported to a trade show, bustled around, handed out at said trade show, carried around in a pocket for a while, handed to another person, and finally reviewed. If a cigar demonstrates solid construction after all of that I would be impressed. I have reviewed cigars before that had been pocketed and changed hands two or three times. I try to make a point of not counting any ‘construction issues’ against it too heavily as that cigar has been though quite a lot.
Zach,
You make a good point, and while I don’t recall all the details, I don’t think the cigar actually came from IPCPR. It was passed given to one rep from another at an event some time later. But it was a sample a rep carried around. Ordinarily I give a stick like this some time in the humidor before a review, but I may not have in this case. (I don’t remember, it was years ago.) If so, yeah, the comments on the construction may not have been completely fair. On the other hand, my verdict was positive, I still like them and I have smoked more since then, so there’s that.
Hi
I am smoking the corojo Patriarch right now and must say the cigar is burning evenly with a nice grey/white ash. It is not my first Patriarch and so far I have not seen the issues described here with this cigar.
In the past I have noticed a number of burn issues with Perdomo cigars though the latest offerings (within the last few years or so)suffer fewer problems than the past;so much so that I believe many prejudices about Perdomo cigars are fading from view. I smoke many different cigars. Perdomo is becoming a go to company and is worth another chance to those who might think otherwise. Also Nick helps keep the price point more comfortable in cigar tax heavy states like Mass. so the price point is not bad from my perspective.