To commemorate 20 years of business, Perdomo Cigars released the 20th Anniversary line in 2012 in Maduro and Sun Grown wrapper options. The line has since been extended to include a Connecticut Shade. Back in October, I reviewed the Maduro version (HERE) and found it to be a very good cigar for under $8.00. I am back at it to find out how the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown compares to its counterpart.

Manufactured at Tabacalera Perdomo in Nicaragua, the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown, like the Maduro, is a Nicaraguan puro utilizing tobacco grown on their own farms in Esteli, Condega, and Jalapa Valley. The wrapper is not only aged over 6 years, it is fermented for an additional 14 months in bourbon barrels. Available vitolas include: Corona Gorda (6 1/2 by 48) Robusto (5 by 56), Torpedo (6 1/2 by 54),  Epicure (6 by 56), Gordo (6 by 60), Pyramid (61/2 by 60), and Churchill (7 by 56).

You can purchase the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown from our good friends at Fox Cigar.

THE FACTS

Price: $8.25
Vitola: Semi Box-Pressed Robusto
Size: 5 by 56
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 5 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

Draped in a medium brown wrapper that has its fair share of veins and bumps. The flexes between my fingers as I inspect it for soft spots. The wrapper has a smooth feel and a nice oily sheen.

As I bring the cigar to my nose, I find chocolate covered cherries on the wrapper and big notes of chocolate on the foot. The chocolate and cherry, along with cedar, carry over to the dry draw that has the perfect amount of resistance. 

FIRST THIRD

Once lit, the smoke production on the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown is unbelievable. Thick clouds of smoke pour of the foot and copious amounts of smoke fill my mouth with each small draw.  A pepper spice is front and center followed by medium to full flavors of cedar, dirt, sweet chocolate, and yeast. The burn line is thin with only a minor wave as a white ash forms. Darker flavors of coffee and pepper are accentuated on the retro-hale as the chocolate lingers on the finish of the smoke.

MIDDLE THIRD

More savory flavors hit my palate as I transition into the second third of the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown. There is a combination of salt and pepper going on followed by dirt and chocolate. The flavors are balanced and easy on the palate and have settled into medium.  While the burn is not straight, it is far from causing any concern. 

FINAL THIRD

A small crack has formed near the burn line, but results in no future issue. The spice warmth has picked up, which hangs around for some time and the sweetness diminishes as the savory flavors gain even more ground. The burn is jagged, but,with so little left. a touch-up won’t be necessary. The draw seems to be a bit too free as I near the end of the cigar requiring some effort to pass a mouthful of smoke. 

WRAP-UP

The Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown is another solid cigar coming out of Tabacalera Perdomo. While I noted some similarities between the Sun Grown and Maduro, they remain easily distinguishable. I found the larger ring gauge comfortable in my mouth from the semi box-pressed format and my palate took a liking to the flavors the cigar presented, but only wish the sweetness stayed around until the end. And I have no complaints with the performance. With all that said, the Maduro version has the upper hand between the two as it offers a more complex smoking experience.