I wanted to return to a line of cigars which I knew I enjoyed, but still was not one with which I had a great deal of familiarity. I decided on the Perdomo Lot 23 line, which Mr Maujean and I reviewed at the beginning of September. In the mood for something more substantial, I picked the Perdomo Lot 23 Belicoso Maduro, a beautiful, dark chocolatey brown cigar that has a slightly oily sheen to it. I was quite eager to smoke this beauty when I lifted it out of the humidor, and inhaled its effluvia as soon as possible. It smelled of earth and leather with slight hints of compost.

I cut the end and lit it, tasting quickly a nice burst of spice followed by cream, earth, and a full, rich smoke that had a surprisingly cool and sweet mouth feel. Right away, however, I noticed how the characteristically broad Perdomo cigar band was a bit too large for this cigar. It overlapped the sloped end of the belicoso and sort of interfered with my lips. Upon removing the band, I noticed a few minor imperfections in the wrapper, but I did not let those deter me. Indeed, as the cigar progressed I noticed some rich, woody flavors (cedar, perhaps?) and a continuing nice fullness of body.

The cigar finished with notes of cedar and leather. It had a healthy nicotine kick and rich, beautiful smoke up to the end. Overall, this cigar was at least as enjoyable, if not more so, than the lighter Lot 23 we smoked last time. I'd probably not recommend this cigar for absolute beginners, but for those interested into dipping into the world of full-bodied, stronger cigars, it would be tough to go wrong with this beauty. I'll give it four well-earned stars.