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Perdomo is another highly recognizable name in the cigar industry. I would say most cigar smokers have smoked their fair share of the 10th Anniversary Champagne, at least when they started out. Of course, they offer a lot more lines than that, but it is probably one of the most popular cigars of the last decade. Last year, Perdomo released the Double Aged 12 Year Vintage line. First, it gets its name from a double aging process. The tobacco is aged in bales for 10 years, then moved to charred white oak barrels to age for 2 more years. This cigar comes in three wrapper options: Connecticut, Sun Grown and Maduro. Each contains the same binder and filler and is intended for different flavor preferences. They come in 5 vitolas: Robusto, Epicure, Churchill, Gordo Extra and Salomon. Finally, only 250 retailers worldwide were chosen to carry this line. Fortunately, many of these retailers are available online, just in case no one near you has them.
This particular sample was purchased by yours truly. Fortunately, I was with Siz in the humidor at the time (just hangin out and such) and he pointed them out to me. He’s such a helpful guy!
Looks:
The Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro looks like quite the formidable opponent. It is a shorty, stocky cigar that has a slightly rough looking dark chocolate wrapper. There are some veins and visible seams as well as some tooth. It appears to be well packed and solid. The band adds to the intimidation factor. Not that it has anything menacing on it, it’s just huge! It must take up half of the cigar. It has the traditional Perdomo sunburst logo in the center with a red and gold band across the middle that says vintage. The main colors are black and gold. It also says “Aged 12 Years” in red and white. Also of note is that it lists leaf information on one side and tasting notes on the other. I like having this information right there on the band. Besides, with it being that big, I’m sure they had to fill up the space somehow.
Function:
As it looked, the Double Aged 12 Year Maduro felt thick and a bit rough. However, there was a silky powdery feel as well. The foot has earth and faint cocoa notes. The barrel is earth and beef jerky. After clipping the cap, I give the usual pre light test. I pretty much just get earth notes. The draw seems to be great.Smoking:
Unlike the last cigar I reviewed, the Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro is not so easy to light. Of course, the ring gauge is on the large side for me and there is a lot of tobacco to ignite. Once I do, the burn starts out pretty even. It gets a tad wavy in the 2/3 section, requiring a slight touch up.
The draw on this cigar is fantastic! In fact, it is bordering on being too open. However, I like the openness because I can really load up on the flavor of each puff.
The ash is not so pretty on this one. It is gray with black and a touch of white. It looks flaky and toothy. It taps off easily around the 1” mark. In the final third, I have one fall in my lap. This one is not to be trusted!
Flavor:
Thanks to the handy tasting notes on the label (and there are even flavor indicators next to each leaf listed) I already know what to expect from the Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro. In a nutshell, smooth and sweet. We’ll see about that! The first third kicks off with a blast of black and white pepper. This quickly gives way to sweet and salty notes. This combo is akin to salted caramel and goes well with the pepper. Next comes in wood and cocoa. I also get a hint of coffee. The retrohale is fragrant and salty. Overall, it has become sweet and spicy.
The next third continues with the sweet and salty/spicy theme. The cocoa and wood are also present, as well as a nutty flavor. The retrohale is still floral and there is a touch of earth on the finish. This section begins to really smooth out, toning the spiciness down a good bit.
The final third shows the smoothness at its peak. There is still the sweetness, wood, nut, coffee and cocoa. A creamy/buttery note has also developed. The retro has become saltier than floral. The last inch has a lot of cocoa, which is really nice. It finishes smoothly.
The Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro Robusto is a medium-full in strength, full flavored cigar that is definitely rich, sweet and smooth, just as advertised. What a treat! The smoke time was around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Would I Buy It Again?
Yes!Is It An Everyday Smoke?
It could be but I see it as more of a weekend smoke.Would I Buy a Box?
Very possibly!Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is the Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro Robusto?
The Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro Robusto is a medium-full strength cigar. It opens with a solid pepper blast but smooths out considerably by the final third.
What are the flavor notes of the Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro Robusto?
Expect black and white pepper up front, followed by salted caramel, wood, cocoa, and a hint of coffee in the middle. The final third brings out a creamy, buttery note with a heavy cocoa finish — rich and smooth all the way through.
Where can I buy the Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro Robusto?
Only 250 retailers worldwide were selected to carry this line, but many of them sell online, so even if no local shop near you carries it, you should be able to track it down with a quick search.
How much does the Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro Robusto cost?
Eric picked this one up for around $9 a stick, which makes it a pretty serious value for a cigar aged 12 years through a double-aging process.
What bourbon pairs well with the Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro Robusto?
Eric didn’t call out a specific bourbon pairing in this review, but given the cigar’s salted caramel, cocoa, and creamy flavor profile, something with complementary sweetness and oak would be a natural fit.
Where to Buy Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro Robusto
Average retail: ~$9 per stick. Prices vary by retailer.
| Retailer | Price | Availability | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Famous Smoke Shop | ~$9/stick | ✅ In Stock | Shop Now → |
| Cigars International | ~$9/stick | ⚠️ Check Stock | Shop Now → |
| Amazon (samplers) | Varies | ✅ Available | Search Amazon → |
Stogies on the Rocks may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Best Bourbon Pairings for the Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro Robusto
As a full-bodied, high-strength Nicaraguan torpedo, the Cojonu 2006 demands a bourbon with presence. Here are our top three pairings based on complementary flavor profiles.
#1 — Knob Creek 9 Year
Knob Creek 9 Year’s bold oak and caramel backbone mirrors the wood and salted caramel notes that run through the middle of this cigar without stepping on the pepper-driven opener.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#2 — Old Forester 1920
Old Forester 1920’s rich dark fruit, baking chocolate, and full-bodied sweetness lines up nicely with the cocoa-heavy final third and the creamy, buttery finish Eric called out.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#3 — Russell’s Reserve
Russell’s Reserve’s smooth, nutty, and slightly sweet character echoes the nutty mid-palate notes and the overall smoothness that defines this cigar by the time you hit the last third.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →Pairing suggestions based on the Stogies on the Rocks flavor profile scoring system. Browse all bourbon reviews →
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Conclusion
Let me say I was quite impressed with the Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Maduro Robusto. It was a very hearty cigar that really nailed the advertised flavors. My only complaint would be that it didn’t last as long as I’d like. I know I smoke a little fast, but I think the open draw affected that as well. I believe the Epicure is the same ring gauge but an inch longer, so maybe I’ll try that next. Either way, I highly recommend this one!
