AshMap
Overview
The Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro is the quiet confidence of a veteran blender who doesn't need to shout. It arrives in a silky Colorado wrapper, the color of worn saddle leather, with a faint sheen that catches the light like a polished river stone. From the first cold draw, there's a promise of toasted grain and a whisper of honey, but the real story begins at the light. The opening third unfolds with a gentle wave of toasted almonds and dry cedar, the kind of wood you'd find in a sun-warmed workshop. A delicate floral sweetness, almost like orange blossom water, rides just beneath the surface, while a mild white pepper on the retrohale keeps the senses alert without ever demanding attention. It's a measured, confident start—no fireworks, but a steady hand guiding the smoke.
As the ash holds its salt-white column, the second third deepens into a more contemplative register. Roasted coffee takes center stage, not the sharp espresso of a morning rush but the round, comforting bitterness of a slow-drip brew. Dry cocoa follows, the kind you'd scrape from the bottom of a bowl of brownie batter, and a subtle leather undertone begins to wrap around the palate like a well-worn glove. The Condega filler makes its presence known here, lending an earthy backbone that grounds the smoke in Nicaraguan terroir. This is the heart of the cigar—balanced, consistent, and utterly reliable. There's no sudden shift, no jarring transition; just a seamless evolution that feels like the blend settling into its groove.
The final third introduces a pleasant nuttiness, reminiscent of roasted pecans, and a lingering cedar spice that builds gently on the finish. Dark caramel emerges, not cloying but rich, like the last spoonful of a crème brûlée. The strength remains medium, but the complexity ticks upward, rewarding those who have stayed the course. The burn line stays razor-even throughout, and the draw offers just the right resistance—effortless but not loose. The ash holds firm for over an inch, a testament to the construction. This is a cigar that doesn't need to be babied; it smokes itself, leaving a clean, dry finish that invites another puff, another moment of quiet reflection.
In the broader Perdomo lineup, the Lot 23 Natural Toro is the everyman's argument that all-Nicaraguan purity doesn't have to cost prestige money. It's the cigar you reach for on a Tuesday when you want craftsmanship without ceremony. It won't redefine your palate, but it will rarely disappoint—and at sub-$12, its consistency and construction quality embarrass many cigars at twice the price. This is a workhorse with a pedigree, a blend that respects the smoker's time and wallet while delivering a sensory arc that feels far more expensive than its price tag suggests.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Natural (Jalapa Valley) — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan (Jalapa) |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-fillers from Estelí, Jalapa, and Condega — aged a minimum of 3 years |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua — Perdomo Factory |
| Vitola / Shape | Toro |
| Size | 6 x 54 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $8–$12 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of 3 years prior to rolling; additional box aging recommended |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening third greets with toasted almonds, dry cedar, and a light floral sweetness from the Jalapa wrapper. A mild white pepper note on the retrohale keeps things lively without overwhelming the palate.
Second Third
The core of the smoke deepens into roasted coffee, dry cocoa, and a subtle leather undertone. The blend finds its groove here — balanced and consistent, with the Condega filler lending an earthy backbone.
Final Third
The final third introduces a pleasant nuttiness and lingering cedar spice. Strength remains medium but complexity ticks upward with notes of dark caramel and a clean, dry finish on the palate.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary for the price point — the draw is effortless with just the right amount of resistance, the burn line is razor-even, and the ash holds firm in compact, salt-white columns for an inch or more.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A light-to-medium aged rum such as Flor de Caña 7-Year or a mild Bourbon like Woodford Reserve Double Oaked — the vanilla and oak notes echo the cigar's cedar and caramel profile perfectly.
Wine
A medium-bodied Tempranillo such as Rioja Crianza — its dried cherry and leather notes harmonize with the cocoa and cedar in the blend without overpowering.
Non-Alcoholic
A well-extracted double espresso or a medium-roast pour-over coffee — the roasted grain notes in the cup mirror and amplify the coffee and nuttiness in the smoke.
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a mid-level marketing manager named Daniel, 34, who's been smoking for about three years. He's graduated from flavored sticks and now keeps a small tupperdor with a few Padróns for special occasions, but he's still building his palate. It's a Tuesday evening, and he's just wrapped up a long video call with a difficult client. He pours himself a Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, clips the cap on the Lot 23 Natural Toro, and settles into his porch chair. He wants something that won't demand his full attention but will reward it when he leans in. He's enjoyed the creaminess of a Connecticut shade but finds it too mild; he's tried full-bodied monsters but found them overwhelming. This Perdomo hits the sweet spot—medium strength, approachable but not boring, with enough complexity to keep him curious. By the final third, he's already checking online for a box price.
Bottom Line
The Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro is a masterclass in accessible craftsmanship—a medium-bodied Nicaraguan that delivers consistent, flavorful smoking at a price that makes it an easy daily driver. It won't challenge your palate, but it will never let you down. Buy a box; you'll smoke them faster than you expect.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Perdomo Lot 23 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro a strong cigar?
No, it's rated Medium (3/5) on our strength scale. You'll feel a pleasant warmth on the retrohale and a subtle nicotine buzz by the final third, but it won't overwhelm you or leave you dizzy. It's a comfortable, all-day smoke that sits well on the palate without demanding a full meal beforehand.
What does Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro taste like?
The flavor progression moves from toasted almonds, dry cedar, and a light floral sweetness with white pepper on the retrohale in the first third, to roasted coffee, dry cocoa, and subtle leather in the second third, and finishes with nuttiness, cedar spice, and dark caramel in the final third. The overall profile is earthy, woody, and slightly sweet, with a clean, dry finish.
How long does Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro take to smoke?
As a Toro measuring 6 x 54, expect a smoke time of roughly 75 to 90 minutes, depending on your pace. If you're a slower smoker who lets the cigar rest between puffs, you might stretch it to 100 minutes. It's a perfect length for a relaxed afternoon or an early evening session.
What is the best pairing for Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro?
A light-to-medium aged rum like Flor de Caña 7-Year is an excellent match—its vanilla and oak notes echo the cigar's cedar and caramel profile, creating a harmonious, dessert-like finish. Alternatively, a mild Bourbon like Woodford Reserve Double Oaked works beautifully, as its vanilla and toasted wood amplify the cigar's nutty and coffee notes without overpowering them.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro good for beginners?
Yes, with caveats. At Medium strength, it's approachable for newer smokers who have already tried a few milder cigars and want to step up without getting knocked out. The flavor profile is straightforward and not overly challenging, but the price point of $8–$12 per cigar might be steep for someone still exploring. If you're willing to invest in a quality experience, it's a great next step; otherwise, start with something cheaper to build your palate.
Where can I buy Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro?
You can find it at most well-stocked brick-and-mortar cigar shops, as Perdomo has wide distribution. Online retailers like Cigar International, Famous Smoke Shop, and Atlantic Cigar also carry it, often with singles or box options. Check your local lounge first—they may have it in stock and you can support a small business.
What is the price of Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro?
The Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro typically retails between $8 and $12 per cigar, depending on your local taxes and the retailer. Box prices (usually 20 cigars) often bring the per-stick cost down to around $7–$9, making it an excellent value for the construction and flavor quality.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro worth aging?
Yes, but it's not necessary. The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of 3 years prior to rolling, so the cigar is ready to smoke upon purchase. However, additional box aging of 6–12 months will soften the white pepper note, deepen the caramel sweetness, and round out the cedar spice, making the profile slightly more integrated. If you have the patience, buy two boxes—smoke one now and age the other.
What wrapper does Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro use?
It uses a Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Natural wrapper from the Jalapa Valley, which is a Colorado shade leaf—medium brown with a silky texture and light natural sheen. This wrapper contributes the toasted almond, dry cedar, and light floral sweetness that define the opening third, and it's a key reason the cigar feels refined rather than rough.
Where is Perdomo Lot 23 Natural Toro made?
It's hand-rolled at Perdomo's factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, a region renowned for its tobacco production. The factory is known for its meticulous quality control, which is evident in the razor-even burn and firm ash. The blend uses Nicaraguan long-fillers from Estelí, Jalapa, and Condega, all aged a minimum of 3 years before rolling.