AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet confidence to the Perdomo Lot 23 Toro that you feel before the cutter even touches the cap. The box-press gives it a squared-shouldered, architectural rigidity, a visual promise of precision that is rare at this price point. In a market obsessed with the next limited-edition spectacle, this cigar is a statement of process over hype—a tribute to Nick Perdomo’s 23rd year in the industry that doesn’t celebrate a milestone with excess, but with restraint. It is the equivalent of a master carpenter showing you his favorite chisel: unadorned, perfectly balanced, and utterly reliable.
The pre-light draw offers a whisper of sweet hay and cedar, a scent that is dry and inviting, hinting at the aged Jalapa, Estelí, and Condega fillers resting beneath the Colorado-hued Sun-Grown wrapper. Once lit, the first third unfolds with a creamy texture that coats the palate in accessible cedar and toasted almond. There is a distinct honeyed sweetness here, not cloying but present, acting as a counterweight to the mild white pepper tingle that snaps on the retrohale. It is an inviting entry, almost deceptively gentle, luring you into a sense of complacency before the blend begins its deliberate shift.
By the midpoint, the narrative deepens. The creaminess recedes, replaced by a savory richness that speaks to the five years of age on the tobacco. Roasted nuts evolve into a darker, almost burnt caramel, while a pronounced leather note takes center stage. This is where the blend’s character truly emerges—a building earthiness that is distinctly Nicaraguan, woven with threads of golden raisin and fig that provide a sweet, dried-fruit complexity. The pepper has vanished, leaving behind a warmth that feels like the sun on your neck during a long afternoon.
The final third is a masterclass in convergence. The sweetness tempers, pulling back to allow the darker elements to dominate. Espresso and toasted oak lead the charge, grounded by a subtle, lingering spice that sits on the roof of the mouth. The finish is clean and dry, a long aftertaste of roasted coffee and dark cocoa that begs for one more sip of a dark spirit. The burn remains razor-even, the ash holding firm in a salt-and-pepper column, a testament to the TESA factory’s construction standards. This is not a cigar that shouts for attention; it commands it through a slow, deliberate unfolding of flavor that rewards patience and focus.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Sun-Grown (Connecticut Shade also available; this profile reflects the Natural Sun-Grown) — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-fillers from Jalapa, Estelí, and Condega valleys, aged a minimum of 5 years |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua (Perdomo's TESA factory) |
| Vitola / Shape | Toro |
| Size | 6 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $9–$13 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of 5 years prior to rolling; Nick Perdomo is known for strict aging protocols across all lines |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The Natural opens with accessible, creamy cedar and toasted almond, underscored by a mild white pepper tingle on the retrohale. Honey sweetness and light floral notes provide an inviting entry point that belies the complexity to come.
Second Third
The midpoint transitions into a fuller, richer experience — roasted nuts, dark caramel, and a pronounced leather note emerge. Hints of dried fruit (golden raisin, fig) weave through a building earthiness characteristic of aged Nicaraguan tobaccos.
Final Third
The final third delivers a satisfying convergence of espresso, toasted oak, and a subtle spice that lingers on the palate. The sweetness tempers slightly, leaving a clean, dry finish with a long aftertaste of roasted coffee and dark cocoa.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is excellent — the box-press delivers an effortless, airy draw with no resistance, and the burn line remains razor-even throughout. Ash is firm and salt-and-pepper in character, holding 1.5 to 2 inches before releasing cleanly.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A medium-aged Nicaraguan rum such as Flor de Caña 12-Year or a wheated bourbon like W.L. Weller Special Reserve — both echo the caramel and vanilla notes without overpowering the cigar's nuance.
Wine
A Rioja Reserva (Tempranillo-forward) or a Côtes du Rhône — the earthy leather and dried fruit notes align beautifully with Grenache-based blends.
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Colombian single-origin pour-over or a lightly sweetened café de olla — the honey and nut notes in the cigar amplify the coffee's natural sweetness.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the smoker who has a humidor full of $20+ special occasion cigars but finds themselves reaching for the same three blends on a Tuesday night. You are a seasoned enthusiast, perhaps ten years in, who has chased the hype and now craves consistency. You are sitting on your back porch after a long week, the grill cooling beside you, and you want a cigar that doesn't require a dissertation to enjoy but still offers enough depth to hold your attention for an hour and a half. You appreciate the nuance of a well-aged tobacco profile but don't want to wrestle with a full-strength powerhouse. This cigar gives you that quiet, contemplative smoke—a familiar friend that still manages to surprise you with a new note of dried fruit or leather each time you return to it.
Bottom Line
The Perdomo Lot 23 Toro is the benchmark for what an everyday premium cigar should be: flawlessly constructed, deeply flavorful, and honest in its presentation. It punches so far above its weight class that it makes other 'budget' lines look like an afterthought. This is the cigar you buy by the box, not the single.
Similar Cigars
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Toro a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. You will feel a satisfying warmth and a building earthiness in the second half, but it never tips into heavy nicotine territory. It is a flavor-forward smoke that allows you to taste the aged tobaccos without the physical punch of a full-bodied blend.
What does Perdomo Lot 23 Toro taste like?
The profile evolves significantly. The first third offers creamy cedar, toasted almond, and a honey sweetness with white pepper on the retrohale. The second third shifts to roasted nuts, dark caramel, leather, and dried fig. The final third converges on espresso, toasted oak, and dark cocoa with a clean, dry finish.
How long does Perdomo Lot 23 Toro take to smoke?
Given its Toro vitola (6 x 52) and medium strength, you should budget between 75 and 90 minutes for a relaxed smoke. The box-press construction ensures a slow, even burn, so you won't be rushing to keep it lit.
What is the best pairing for Perdomo Lot 23 Toro?
A wheated bourbon like W.L. Weller Special Reserve is an ideal match. The bourbon's caramel and vanilla notes echo the cigar's mid-palate sweetness, while its soft finish does not overpower the subtle spice and leather nuances that develop in the final third.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Toro good for beginners?
Yes, with a caveat. The Medium strength is approachable, and the creamy, nutty flavors are not harsh or overpowering. However, the 6 x 52 Toro size is a significant time commitment (75-90 minutes). A beginner would be better served starting with a smaller vitola like a Robusto to gauge their palate and endurance before tackling this size.
Where can I buy Perdomo Lot 23 Toro?
As a widely distributed everyday tier cigar, you will find it in most well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists. It is also readily available from major online retailers like Famous Smoke Shop, Cigars International, and Atlantic Cigar, often sold in boxes of 20 or 25.
What is the price of Perdomo Lot 23 Toro?
The Perdomo Lot 23 Toro typically retails between $9 and $13 per cigar. This price point positions it as a premium everyday smoke, offering significant value given the five-year aged tobaccos and consistent construction.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Toro worth aging?
While the tobaccos are already aged a minimum of 5 years prior to rolling, this cigar can handle additional humidor time. However, it is not necessary. The blend is in a sweet spot of readiness upon release. Further aging (1-2 years) may soften the white pepper and deepen the caramel notes, but you risk losing some of the bright cedar and honey nuances that make it lively.
What wrapper does Perdomo Lot 23 Toro use?
This specific profile uses a Nicaraguan Sun-Grown wrapper (a Connecticut Shade version is also available). The Sun-Grown leaf gives the cigar its warm Colorado color and contributes a subtle sweetness and a touch of spice that complements, rather than masks, the aged Nicaraguan fillers.
Where is Perdomo Lot 23 Toro made?
It is hand-rolled at Perdomo's TESA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. This is Nick Perdomo's flagship production facility, where strict aging protocols and quality control are enforced across all lines, ensuring the consistency this cigar is known for.