Robert P Duran Signature Limited Edition Salomon

IMG_0916The cigar:

This is a new brand to me. I have never tried a Robert P Duran cigar nor was I familiar with the brand. It was generously gifted to me by a co-worker. This cigar is a limited edition and my particular cigar was numbered 1,648 out of 3,000.

  • 7 1/4” x 57 “salomon”
  • Wrapper: Ecuador Havana Criollo
  • Binder: Nicaragua
  • Filler: Blend of Nicaragua and “other” Latin America
  • Price: $20+

First Impressions:

  • This is a beautifully rolled cigar with a light-medium brown wrapper with prominent veins
  • The salomon shape is a very special and rare figurado because it is a difficult shape to create and can only be accomplished by experienced craftsmen.
  • The box containing this cigar is personally signed by the cigar roller, Santo Cardenas.
  • The salomon shape is one of my favorites and reminds me very much of the smaller Arturo Hemingway series Short Story, Best Seller, and Work of Art, which I commonly purchase by the box.
  • It comes beautifully packaged in its own individual, cedar coffin.
  • The aroma is strongly leather and cedar at the foot. Unsurprisingly, the scent from the wrapper is pure Spanish cedar, likely due to its packaging.IMG_0914

IMG_0915Prelight

  • The pre-light draw is firm, which is expected and typical for this shape.
  • The taste is very surprisingly like dried fig. The dried fig taste is so distinct that reminded me of a freshly opened box of Fig Newtons.

First third:

  • First few puffs are surprisingly smooth.
  • There is not even a hint of the strong pepper that I usually expect with nicaraguan tobacco.
  • Taste is very mild and subtle; creamy smooth and buttery with leather and cedar.
  • Aroma is hickory and pine smoke with some mushroom in the background. This seems like an odd combination but it works well.
  • A hint of black pepper begins to develop but I continue to be surprised by the lack of pepper that is usually characteristic of Nicaraguan cigars.IMG_0918IMG_0921IMG_0922

Second third:

  • The flavors continue to be very smooth and subtle. Creamy, mild, light roasted coffee with leather.
  • The aroma has also developed into a freshly roasted coffee but still has some a woodsy, earthy quality.
  • The smoke has a very noticeable astringent effect in the back of the mouth, not in a bad way, but very much like the effect of a dry, red wine.
  • I continue to be surprised by the smoothness of the blend.
  • The pepperiness and spiciness of Nicaragua continues to be almost entirely absent.
  • The burn line is almost razor sharp and straight, which is the hallmark of a well made cigar.IMG_0923IMG_0924IMG_0925

Last third:

  • The aroma continues to be very woodsy and earthy.
  • The subtle, creamy flavors have almost disappeared and morphed into a smoky, very dark, almost burnt, roasted coffee.
  • It continues to have an astringent mouth quality.
  • Towards the end, the flavors eventually develop into an ashy, acrid quality and is no longer palatable so the cigar is extinguishedIMG_0926IMG_0927

Ratings:

  • Strength: mild
  • Construction: 9
  • Taste: 8
  • Aroma: 7
  • Value: 5

Impressions:

Overall Score: 7

  • I was very surprised by this cigar. It advertises itself as being primarily Nicaraguan but its mild strength and lack of spice made it very uncharacteristic for Nicaraguan tobacco. The first and middle thirds of the cigar were well worth the price of admission but the lackluster last third brought the overall score down. The balance and smoothness of flavors in the first two-thirds were remarkable. While I would ordinarily be bored with the mild flavors, I was pleasantly surprised by how well I enjoyed the subtle and smooth flavors. This cigar is best described as well-balanced. It’s a little bit pricey but I would definitely smoke it again. I very much appreciate the individual who gifted me this fine cigar.