AshMap
Overview
The Perdomo Lot 23 Toro is a quiet rebellion against the tyranny of the $20 cigar. It arrives in a satin-sheathed Colorado wrapper that catches the light like a well-oiled walnut, promising nothing it can't deliver. This is the smoke that Nick Perdomo built to prove that patience—two years of aging before the roll, another stretch in the box—can be bottled at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage. Light it, and the first draw is a handshake: toasted cedar, a creaminess that coats the tongue like fresh butter, and a dry cocoa that lingers like a memory of dessert. The retrohale offers a gentle white pepper, a nudge rather than a slap, while roasted almond and a faint floral whisper—think orange blossom at a distance—keep the opening third lively. This is not a cigar that shouts; it introduces itself with the confidence of a man who knows his worth.
By the second third, the narrative deepens. The cream recedes, replaced by a more assertive architecture: baking spice—cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg—layered over leather that's supple, not stiff. Espresso arrives, dark and unsweetened, grounding the profile in earthiness that's more dark soil after rain than heavy mud. Dried herbs—thyme, maybe oregano—add a savory counterpoint, while the pepper on the retrohale firms up from a whisper to a firm hand on the shoulder. The strength, still medium, begins to flex its muscles, but never strains. This is the heart of the cigar, where the Jalapa binder and the Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa fillers find their harmony—a chorus of Nicaraguan terroir that tastes like the country itself: volcanic, resilient, and unpretentious.
The final third is a graceful descent. Dark chocolate emerges, not the milk variety but the 70% cacao kind that leaves a slight bitterness on the palate. Toasty oak—think the inside of a bourbon barrel after the spirit's been drawn—adds warmth, while the sweetness that opened the smoke fades like a sunset, leaving a clean, dry finish. The strength ticks up to medium-plus, a final reminder that this blend has backbone, but the pepper softens into a gentle tingle. The ash holds firm, a gray-white pillar that drops at the inch-and-a-half mark with a clean snap. The burn is even, the draw slightly loose but never airy—a construction that speaks to the discipline of La Zona, Perdomo's Estelí factory, where every roll is a testament to the house standard. This is a cigar that rewards attention but doesn't demand it; it's equally at home in a quiet evening with a book or a Tuesday afternoon after a long lunch. The Lot 23 is not a novelty or a limited release—it's a workhorse with pedigree, a reminder that value and quality are not mutually exclusive. It's the cigar you reach for when you want to remember why you fell in love with smoking in the first place.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Sun Grown (Connecticut Shade variant also produced) — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan (Jalapa) |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-filler blend — Jalapa, Estelí, and Condega aged tobaccos |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua |
| Vitola / Shape | Toro |
| Size | 6 x 54 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $8–$12 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of 2 years prior to rolling; box-aged post-rolling |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
Opens with toasted cedar and medium-bodied creaminess underpinned by dry cocoa and mild white pepper on the retrohale. The draw is immediately accessible with a pleasant nutty sweetness — think roasted almond and a light floral note.
Second Third
Transitions into a more defined profile of baking spice, leather, and espresso. The pepper firms up modestly on the retrohale while a subtle earthiness — dark soil and dried herbs — adds backbone without heaviness.
Final Third
The finish gains complexity with dark chocolate and a toasty oak note. Strength ticks up marginally into medium-plus territory. Sweetness fades gracefully, leaving a clean, dry finish with lingering cedar and mocha.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistent with Perdomo's factory discipline — the burn is even with a firm, gray-white ash that holds 1 to 1.5 inches reliably. Draw is slightly loose to ideal, never plugged, making it approachable even for newer smokers.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Nicaraguan rum — Flor de Caña 12 or Ron Abuelo 12 Años — mirrors the sweetness and Nicaraguan terroir beautifully. Also works well with a lightly peated Scotch like Glenmorangie 10.
Wine
A fruit-forward Malbec from Mendoza (Zuccardi Valle de Uco) or a light Tempranillo — something with dark fruit and moderate tannins to complement the cocoa notes without overwhelming the medium-bodied profile.
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Nicaraguan single-origin pour-over — shade-grown Jinotega or Matagalpa beans — echoes the cigar's terroir in cup form.
Who Should Smoke This?
Meet Daniel, a 34-year-old marketing manager who's been smoking for five years but still flinches at triple-digit box prices. He's a Tuesday-night smoker, the kind who pours a Flor de Caña 12 over a single ice cube and sits on his apartment balcony, watching the city lights blur. He's tried the hyped releases—the Padróns, the OpusX—but he's tired of cigars that demand reverence when he just wants to decompress. Daniel loves medium-bodied Nicaraguans with a touch of sweetness, like the Oliva Serie V, but he's looking for something that doesn't make him ration his stash. The Perdomo Lot 23 Toro is his answer: it gives him the complexity he craves—the cedar, the cocoa, the espresso—without the ceremony. He lights it after a long day of meetings, and for 70 minutes, the world shrinks to the ember's glow. This cigar doesn't ask him to be a connoisseur; it just asks him to breathe.
Bottom Line
The Perdomo Lot 23 Toro is a masterclass in accessible excellence—a medium-bodied Nicaraguan that delivers aged complexity at a price that feels like a secret. Buy a box; you'll smoke them faster than you expect.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Perdomo cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Toro a strong cigar?
No, it's rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. You'll feel a gentle warmth on the palate and a slight nicotine buzz by the final third, but it never overwhelms. It's a cigar you can smoke on an empty stomach without regret, though a meal beforehand is always a good idea.
What does Perdomo Lot 23 Toro taste like?
The flavor journey opens with toasted cedar, cream, dry cocoa, and a hint of roasted almond with white pepper on the retrohale. The middle third shifts to baking spice, leather, espresso, and dark soil with dried herbs. The finale brings dark chocolate, toasty oak, and a clean mocha finish as the sweetness fades.
How long does Perdomo Lot 23 Toro take to smoke?
As a Toro (6 x 54), expect a smoking time of 60 to 75 minutes, depending on your pace. If you're a slow smoker who savors each puff, you might stretch it to 80 minutes. It's a perfect lunch-break length or an after-dinner companion.
What is the best pairing for Perdomo Lot 23 Toro?
Aged Nicaraguan rum like Flor de Caña 12 or Ron Abuelo 12 Años is the ideal match—the rum's caramel sweetness and oak notes mirror the cigar's cocoa and cedar, while its warmth complements the medium body. For a non-alcoholic option, try a medium-roast pour-over from Jinotega or Matagalpa to echo the terroir in cup form.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Toro good for beginners?
Yes, with caveats. At Medium strength and a price of $8–$12, it's approachable for newcomers who've smoked a few cigars and want to explore Nicaraguan character without getting knocked out. The draw is slightly loose to ideal, making it easy to puff, and the flavors are recognizable—cedar, cocoa, coffee—rather than challenging. However, if you're brand new to cigars, you might prefer starting with a milder Connecticut shade wrapper to ease in.
Where can I buy Perdomo Lot 23 Toro?
You'll find it at most well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists, especially those that carry Perdomo's full line. Online retailers like Cigar.com, Famous Smoke Shop, and Atlantic Cigar also stock it, often with box discounts. Given its everyday tier, it's rarely a limited release, so availability is consistent.
What is the price of Perdomo Lot 23 Toro?
A single cigar typically runs $8–$12, depending on your local taxes and retailer. Boxes of 20 often bring the per-stick cost down to around $7–$9, making it a solid value for the aging and construction quality.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Toro worth aging?
Yes, but it's already aged. The tobaccos are aged a minimum of 2 years before rolling, and the cigars are box-aged post-rolling, so they're ready to smoke upon purchase. Further aging in your humidor for 6–12 months can round off the pepper and deepen the cocoa, but don't expect a dramatic transformation—this is a cigar that's meant to be enjoyed now, not hoarded for a decade.
What wrapper does Perdomo Lot 23 Toro use?
The Perdomo Lot 23 Toro uses a Nicaraguan Sun Grown wrapper (a Connecticut Shade variant is also produced). The Sun Grown wrapper is a Colorado shade—medium brown with a satin sheen—and contributes notes of cedar, cocoa, and a subtle sweetness, while adding a touch more body than a Connecticut shade would.
Where is Perdomo Lot 23 Toro made?
It's hand-rolled at Perdomo's own factory, La Zona, in Estelí, Nicaragua. This is the heart of the company's production, where they control every step from tobacco aging to rolling, ensuring the consistency that makes the Lot 23 a reliable everyday smoke.