AshMap
Overview
The Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale is a quiet argument for patience in an industry that often rewards volume. It arrives in cellophane, unassuming, a 6.5 x 44 ribbon of Colorado-hued tobacco that feels more like a secret than a flagship. But the moment the triple cap meets the cutter, the story shifts. This is not a cigar that shouts; it persuades. The cold draw offers a whisper of sweet hay and raisin, a prelude to the measured, deliberate unfolding that follows. It is a smoke built on the back of five-year-aged Nicaraguan leaf, and that maturity is not a marketing bullet point — it is the very texture of the smoke itself, a calm, settled confidence that never rushes its arc.
The first third opens with a clean, almost architectural precision: toasted cedar and a soft, dairy-like creaminess that coats the palate without clinging. There is a faint, nutty undertone — think blanched almond rather than roasted peanut — and a white pepper tingle on the retrohale that announces the tobacco's Estelí roots without ever turning aggressive. The draw is effortless, a smooth, unhurried pull that produces generous clouds of smoke from the first light. This is a cigar that invites you to settle in, to let the minutes pass without checking a watch. The burn line is razor-straight, a testament to the factory's obsessive construction standards, and the ash holds a firm, salt-and-pepper column that feels almost architectural.
As the middle third takes hold, the profile deepens with a satisfying gravity. The cedar recedes, replaced by a roasted coffee note that is more French press than espresso shot — rich, slightly oily, and grounded. Dried earth emerges, not as dust but as the scent of a sun-baked field after rain, and a subtle leather undertone adds a savory counterpoint. Then comes the pivot: a gentle sweetness, reminiscent of light caramel or wildflower honey, that weaves through the earthiness, balancing the blend with a deft, almost invisible hand. The creaminess from the opening evolves into a fuller, more rounded mouthfeel, coating the palate with a weight that feels substantial yet never heavy. This is the heart of the cigar, where the aged tobaccos from Jalapa and Condega reveal their complexity in a slow, layered conversation.
The final third tightens the narrative. The woody dryness returns, more pronounced now, with a lingering espresso-like bitterness that is more satisfying than sharp. The white pepper re-emerges on the retrohale, a familiar echo, and a faint dark cocoa note threads through the finish, adding a final, bittersweet flourish. The cigar closes with a clarity that belies its price point — no harshness, no unraveling, just a smooth, deliberate descent into a long, contemplative finish. It is a performance that feels rehearsed yet spontaneous, a blend that knows exactly what it is and delivers it with unerring consistency. For a cigar that costs less than a craft cocktail in most cities, the Lot 23 Lonsdale offers a masterclass in balance, proving that everyday can also mean exceptional.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Natural — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-fillers from Estelí, Jalapa, and Condega, aged a minimum of 5 years |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua |
| Vitola / Shape | Lonsdale |
| Size | 6.5 x 44 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $8–$12 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Minimum 5 years of aging on all tobaccos before rolling; the Lot 23 line was developed to honor Nick Perdomo's 23 years |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening presents a clean, welcoming combination of toasted cedar and mild creaminess with a faint nuttiness. A hint of white pepper on the retrohale signals the Nicaraguan provenance without overwhelming the palate. The draw is consistently smooth and the smoke production generous from the first light.
Second Third
The middle third deepens into notes of roasted coffee, dried earth, and a subtle leather undertone. A gentle sweetness — reminiscent of light caramel or honey — begins to emerge, balancing the earthier qualities nicely. The creaminess from the first third evolves into a fuller, more rounded mouthfeel.
Final Third
The final third brings a more pronounced woody dryness and a lingering espresso-like bitterness. Subtle spice returns on the retrohale, and a faint dark cocoa note threads through the finish. The cigar closes with good complexity for its price point, remaining smooth rather than sharp.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistently excellent — a hallmark of the Perdomo factory — with an even burn line requiring minimal touchups, a firm but not tight draw, and a solid salt-and-pepper ash that holds 1.5 inches before requiring attention.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A lightly aged bourbon such as Buffalo Trace or Elijah Craig Small Batch; the vanilla and oak notes in the spirit mirror the cigar's creaminess and cedar
Wine
A medium-bodied Malbec from Mendoza — the dark fruit and soft tannins complement the coffee and earth notes without dominating
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Colombian drip coffee or a flat white — the mild-medium body of the Lonsdale stands up to coffee without needing anything heavier
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the smoker who has graduated from flavored leaf and is ready to understand what 'terroir' actually means, but isn't ready to mortgage their monthly budget for a box of Padróns. Picture a Tuesday evening, 7:45 PM, after a long day of spreadsheets and conference calls. You pour two fingers of Buffalo Trace over a single large ice cube, settle into a worn leather chair on the porch, and light this Lonsdale. You are not looking for a nicotine punch or a theatrical smoke show; you are looking for a companion that will match your pace, offer quiet complexity, and let you decompress without demanding your full attention. You already enjoy the earthy notes of a good Connecticut broadleaf or the spice of a Jalapa-grown leaf, but you want something that feels more refined, more settled. This cigar gives you that — a 60-minute meditation that rewards your patience with a slow, evolving arc of coffee, cedar, and honey. It is the smoke you reach for when you want to feel like a connoisseur, not a novice, and you want to do it without breaking the bank.
Bottom Line
The Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale is a masterclass in value, delivering five-year-aged Nicaraguan complexity at a price that feels almost like a misprint. It is the everyday cigar that serious smokers will reach for when they want maturity without the ceremony. Buy a box; you will smoke them faster than you expect.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Perdomo Lot 23 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means you will feel a gentle, warming presence in the chest and a mild nicotine buzz that is noticeable but never overwhelming. It is a cigar you can smoke on an empty stomach without feeling dizzy, and it will not overpower your palate, making it suitable for a relaxed afternoon or a post-dinner session.
What does Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale taste like?
The flavor arc is a progression: it opens with toasted cedar, mild creaminess, and a faint almond-like nuttiness with a white pepper tingle on the retrohale. The middle third deepens into roasted coffee, dried earth, and a subtle leather undertone, balanced by a light caramel or honey sweetness. The final third brings a pronounced woody dryness, a lingering espresso-like bitterness, and a faint dark cocoa note on the finish.
How long does Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale take to smoke?
Given its Lonsdale vitola and dimensions of 6.5 x 44, you should expect a smoking time of roughly 60 to 75 minutes. The ring gauge is slender enough to concentrate the flavors, but the length provides a leisurely, unhurried experience that allows the blend's three distinct thirds to fully develop.
What is the best pairing for Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale?
A lightly aged bourbon such as Buffalo Trace or Elijah Craig Small Batch is the ideal companion. The vanilla and oak notes in the spirit directly mirror the cigar's creaminess and cedar, creating a harmonious echo rather than a clash. For a non-alcoholic option, a medium-roast Colombian drip coffee or a flat white works beautifully, as the coffee's body stands up to the cigar's earth and coffee notes without overwhelming them.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale good for beginners?
Yes, with a caveat. Its Medium strength is approachable, and the flavor profile is clean and well-defined, making it an excellent educational smoke for a serious newcomer who wants to understand what well-aged Nicaraguan tobacco tastes like. However, at $8–$12 per cigar, it is a step up from budget sticks, so it is best suited for a beginner who is ready to invest in quality and pay attention to the evolving flavor arc rather than just looking for a quick smoke.
Where can I buy Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale?
You can find it at most well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists, particularly those that carry a broad selection of Nicaraguan puros. It is also widely available from reputable online cigar retailers like Cigar International, Famous Smoke Shop, and Atlantic Cigar, where you can often find better pricing on boxes of 24. Always check for authenticity and buy from authorized dealers to ensure you are getting the genuine, cellophane-wrapped product.
What is the price of Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale?
The Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale typically retails for $8 to $12 per single cigar. This price point places it firmly in the 'Everyday' tier, offering exceptional value given the five-year-aged filler tobaccos and consistent construction. Box prices (24 cigars) will often bring the per-stick cost down slightly, especially during online sales.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale worth aging?
While it is already aged a minimum of 5 years before rolling, this cigar can benefit from additional humidor time. The Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Natural wrapper and the aged fillers have a good track record of mellowing further and integrating their flavors over 1-2 years of proper storage. However, it is not a cigar that requires aging to be enjoyable; it is already drinking beautifully. If you buy a box, smoke one now and one after a year to see how the sweetness deepens and the pepper softens.
What wrapper does Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale use?
It uses a Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Natural wrapper, which presents a Colorado shade and color — a medium brown with a subtle silky sheen. This wrapper is significant because it contributes a balance of sweetness and spice, providing the toasted cedar and white pepper notes in the first third, while its natural oils help carry the creaminess and coffee flavors through the smoke without adding excessive bitterness.
Where is Perdomo Lot 23 Lonsdale made?
It is hand-rolled at Perdomo's factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. This is a crucial detail because Estelí is the heart of Nicaraguan premium cigar production, known for its rich, volcanic soils that impart a distinct terroir to the tobacco. The factory's reputation for strict quality control is a hallmark of the brand, and it is evident in the cigar's consistently even burn, firm draw, and solid ash construction.