Assessment Updates will be posted on this web-site to:  1) Assess “pre-review” cigars that were not given a rating or score (typically pre-release cigars); 2) Provide numeric ratings to cigars previously assessed prior to the implementation of the numeric scoring system.   Today, we assign numeric ratings to two previously assessed cigars- the Avo Lounge cigar and the Perdomo Reserve Limited Edition Cameroon.

 Avo Lounge

Avo Lounge

The Avo Lounge is a cigar that has been made only available to cigar shops that contain an official Avo cigar lounge.  The blending of this cigar was a collaboration between Avo Uvezian and Henkie Kelner of Davidoff.   The cigar features Dominican binder and filler and a wrapper of Ecuadorian 151 Sun-Grown tobacco.  The Avo Lounge is available in a 6 x 50 Toro and a 7 x 50 Double Corona.

The flavor profile of the Avo Lounge starts out with a strong blast of cedar spice.  Notes of earth, grass, and cream enter the equation and round out the flavor profile of this cigar.  The flavor notes are medium to full-bodied and balance nicely against medium strength.

While the burn and draw were excellent throughout the smoke, the one area where this cigar loses some points is on the finish.  The finish disappointed me each time I smoked this cigar. The finish had a nub that was soft and warm as well as element of harshness to it.  Still, this doesn’t make this a poor smoke as most of the smoking experience was enjoyable.   This cigar will satisfy those cigar enthusiasts who like a Dominican tobacco profile.

Here is the original assessment
of the Avo Lounge cigar done on the Toro vitola.

Assessment: Nice to Have
Score: 88

Perdomo Reserve Limited Edition Cameroon (2011 Re-Release)

Perdomo Reserve Limited Edition Cameroon

With the difficulties associated with obtaining and working with Cameroon wrappers, many cigar companies often have a problem making quality cigars that utilize this kind of wrapper.  Perdomo Cigars once had a Cameroon wrapper version of their popular Perdomo Reserve series, but discontinued it due to the inherent problems associated with Cameroon wrappers.  Recently, Nick Perdomo decided to tap into a supply of Cameroon wrapper that he had aging in his warehouse, thus the Perdomo Reserve Limited Edition Cameroon was reborn.

For the re-launch of the Perdomo Reserve Limited Edition Cameroon, it is only being made in a petit corona vitola.   The small cigar allows Perdomo to maximize the tobacco supply they have. In addition to the Cameroon wrapper, the Limited Edition Cameroon uses trademark Perdomo Nicarguan tobacco for the binder and filler.

The flavor profile features notes of caramel, berry, cedar spice, earth, and coffee.  The caramel and berry notes provide a sweetness that is often derived from the Cameroon tobacco.  The flavor notes are medium-bodied and from a nicotine standpoint, the Perdomo Reserve Limited Cameroon is also medium in strength.

The construction of this cigar is impeccable.  Not only does it have a great draw, but it features one of the best burns of any cigar I’ve had in the past year.

Here is the original assessment of the Perdomo Reserve Limited Edition Cameroon done in 2013.

Assessment: Nice to Have
Score: 91