AshMap
Overview
In the pantheon of Nicaraguan cigars, few lines carry the weight of legacy quite like the Perdomo 100 Coronas. Conceived by Nick Perdomo to commemorate the company’s production of its 100-millionth cigar—a milestone that speaks volumes about consistency, trust, and market presence—this series debuted in the mid-2000s as both a celebration and a promise. The Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto is the fullest expression of that promise: a 7 x 54 vitola built around the company’s hallmark 5-year aging protocol, a standard that borders on obsessive in an industry where leaf is often turned over in half that time. The result is a cigar that enters the humidor with an aura of quiet authority, its Colorado Maduro wrapper nearly black, oiled like polished obsidian, with only the faintest veins to betray its handmade origin. From the first glance, this is a cigar that commands time, attention, and respect—and it rewards all three generously. The smoking experience unfolds like a well-paced novel. The cold draw hints at dark chocolate and espresso, a brief prelude to a first third that delivers rich, fudgy cocoa and roasted coffee with a backbone of earthy molasses and dried dark fruit. The middle third introduces complexity: toasted cedar, dark caramel, and a savory leather undercurrent, while a mild spice—black pepper and a whisper of cinnamon—rises through the retrohale without overwhelming the maduro’s inherent sweetness. By the final third, the cigar’s oils concentrate, delivering an intensifying body that brings forward baker’s chocolate, dark espresso, roasted nuts, and a long, earthy finish. The sweetness remains present throughout, measured and never cloying, a testament to the aging process that tames the tobacco’s edges without dulling its character. In a market where maduro cigars often sacrifice nuance for brute strength, the Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto manages something rarer: it harmonizes power with refinement. At a medium-full strength rating of 4/5, it is assertive but not punishing, and the construction—triple cap, even burn, solid ash, and a draw calibrated for generous smoke production—reflects Perdomo’s factory discipline in Estelí. This is a cigar that earns its premium tier status not through exclusivity or marketing, but through sheer performance. For the seasoned aficionado, it stands as one of the most undervalued maduro experiences in the sub-$20 category—a quietly brilliant example of what happens when a manufacturer refuses to rush nature. It belongs in rotation alongside far more expensive peers, offering a profile that challenges cigars twice its price. The Perdomo 100 Coronas line is not merely a milestone; it is a benchmark.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Maduro — Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-filler from Estelí and Jalapa valleys, aged a minimum of 5 years per Perdomo's house standard for the 10 |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua |
| Vitola / Shape | Gran Robusto |
| Size | 7 x 54 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $12–$16 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Minimum 5 years aging on all tobaccos per Perdomo 100 Coronas line specification |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with dark chocolate, espresso, and a whisper of molasses from the fermented maduro wrapper. Upon lighting, the first third delivers rich cocoa, roasted coffee bean, and a subtle earthiness with a touch of dried fruit — dark raisin or prune — characteristic of well-aged Nicaraguan leaf.
Second Third
The middle third is where this cigar finds its stride — complexity increases with notes of toasted cedar, dark caramel, and a savory leather undertone. A mild spice, likely black pepper and subtle cinnamon, creeps into the retrohale without overwhelming the sweetness of the maduro wrapper.
Final Third
The final third intensifies in body and strength as the oils concentrate toward the head. Rich dark espresso and baker's chocolate dominate, joined by a long, lingering finish of roasted nuts and dark earth. There is a pleasant low-level sweetness that persists throughout without turning cloying.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Perdomo's factory quality control is consistently reliable — the 100 Coronas Gran Robusto exhibits an even, slow burn with a tight, solid ash that holds well past an inch. The draw is typically spot-on for a 54-ring gauge: open enough for generous smoke production without being loose.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Nicaraguan rum such as Flor de Caña 18 Year or Ron Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva; alternatively a wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark 46 or W.L. Weller Special Reserve plays beautifully against the maduro's natural sweetness
Wine
An Argentinian Malbec from Mendoza — Achaval Ferrer or Zuccardi Valle de Uco — whose dark fruit and velvety tannins mirror the cigar's cocoa and leather profile
Non-Alcoholic
A double espresso or dark roast single-origin Colombian coffee, ideally with a touch of raw sugar to echo the maduro sweetness
Who Should Smoke This?
The Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto is for the aficionado who has moved beyond the novice stage and craves a maduro that balances depth, complexity, and approachability. It suits experienced smokers who appreciate a medium-full profile without overwhelming strength—those who want a cigar that evolves across three distinct acts. The 90-to-110-minute smoking time demands a relaxed evening or a weekend afternoon with no interruptions. It is ideal for a post-dinner patio session, paired with a fine aged rum or a wheated bourbon. Beginners with some prior experience may also enjoy it if they have a taste for rich, earthy flavors, though its length and strength may require a slower pace and a full stomach.
Bottom Line
The Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto delivers an extraordinary smoking experience that rivals cigars costing significantly more. With five-year-aged Nicaraguan tobaccos, flawless construction, and a deeply satisfying flavor evolution, it is an essential addition to any serious humidor.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Perdomo cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto a strong cigar?
It is medium-full in strength, rated 4 out of 5. It has a robust nicotine presence that builds through the final third, but the five-year aging smooths the experience, making it more refined than aggressive. Seasoned smokers will find it satisfying rather than punishing.
What does Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto taste like?
The flavor profile is rich and layered. The first third offers dark chocolate, espresso, molasses, and dried dark fruit. The middle third develops toasted cedar, dark caramel, leather, and mild black pepper and cinnamon on the retrohale. The final third intensifies with baker’s chocolate, dark espresso, roasted nuts, and deep earth, all held together by a pleasant, persistent sweetness.
How long does Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto take to smoke?
Given its 7 x 54 vitola, expect a smoking time of 90 to 110 minutes. This is a cigar best enjoyed without time constraints, ideally in a relaxed evening or weekend session.
What is the best pairing for Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto?
An aged Nicaraguan rum such as Flor de Caña 18 Year or Ron Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva enhances the maduro’s sweetness. A wheated bourbon like Maker’s Mark 46 or W.L. Weller Special Reserve also pairs beautifully. For wine, an Argentinian Malbec from Mendoza mirrors the cigar’s cocoa and leather notes. A double espresso or single-origin Colombian coffee with raw sugar is an excellent non-alcoholic choice.
Is Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto good for beginners?
It is not ideal for absolute beginners due to its medium-full strength and 90-minute-plus smoking time. However, smokers with some experience who enjoy rich, earthy, and sweet flavors may find it approachable if they smoke slowly and on a full stomach.
Where can I buy Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto?
This cigar is widely available from major online retailers such as Famous Smoke Shop, Cigar International, and Neptune Cigar, as well as at premium brick-and-mortar tobacconists that carry the Perdomo brand. Given its popularity, it is rarely short in supply.
What is the price of Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto?
The typical retail price ranges between $12 and $16 per cigar, placing it in the premium tier but offering exceptional value given the five-year-aged tobaccos and meticulous construction.
Is Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto worth aging?
The tobacco is already aged a minimum of five years at the time of rolling, so the cigar is ready to smoke upon purchase. Additional aging may soften the remaining edges and further integrate the flavors, but it is not necessary. A few more years in the humidor could reward the patient smoker with additional smoothness.
What wrapper does Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto use?
It uses a Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Maduro wrapper, specifically a Colorado Maduro shade—deep dark brown, nearly black, with a natural oily sheen and minimal veining. This wrapper undergoes a prolonged fermentation process to develop its rich sweetness and dark color.
Where is Perdomo 100 Coronas Maduro Gran Robusto made?
It is entirely handmade at Perdomo’s factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, using Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos sourced from the Estelí and Jalapa valleys. The triple cap finish and consistent construction are hallmarks of Perdomo’s quality standards.