La Perla Black Pearl Morado Toro (double?) Review

 

La Perla Black Pearl Morado Toro (double?) Review

10/5/22

I first must say that I have been smoking these for many years and have bought 3 boxes of different sizes over the last 2 to 3 years.  Why not? For like $50 to $60 a box.  I've seen seconds for this price that had you spitting out chunks of short filler.  This has a real cameroon wrapper with the rest Nicaraguan tobaccos.  It's got to be good, which it is.  I'm smoking what I think is a Gordo (6 x 60), but can't find the size searching the internet.  Maybe it's the Toro, but it's definitely much larger. Anyways, I've had what is left from the box for over 2 years.  It's a medium flavor and body from what I remember.  Haven't smoked one in like 9 months, but I remember that it is an enjoyable and consistent medium smoke. These get better with age. It won't turn into a gem, but definitely smooths out and develops a more complex profile.  For the price, why not try?

First few minutes, it's pretty mild, smooth. Right away taste cedar and caramel. Leaving a good aftertaste of these good flavors in my mouth after only a few minutes of smoking.  Cool smoking, but a slight bite of flavor. It's like it's trying to be a full flavored cigar, but if you barely puff it, it is medium to mild. Flavors building a little too much.  Now I remember this cigar. It ain't smooth.  Good flavors that change a lot, never really smoothing out, but keeps you interested in what all flavors it has. Got 15 minutes in and it has already went from mild cedar to rich molasses back to leathery and caramel flavors.  Not the best flavors, but not boring, and all around pretty good flavors.  Never hot or harsh.

You can see in the pictures, it's a fat, densely packed stick.  I smoke mine faster than most, so I like a slow smoking cigar. 25 minutes in and still hasn't dropped the almost 2 inch ash.  Sure, I should tap it, but I'm outside by the fire. Why not let it hang? It's a fine rolled machine, delivering a full profile of great flavors.  No harshness for me. Full of strong aftertaste.  Not even smoking it, I taste cedar, molasses, and sweetness on my palate. 

I finally tap it and it has a beautiful cone. Puffing it hard burns it to the Cameroon wrapper adding more sweet flavors.  

This is huge cigar, but it is burning pretty quick. I'm not complaining, as it a cheapo cigar.  I've smoked cigars 2 to 3X the price that smoke just as fast that weren't as good. I prefer 1 and half hour smokes, but this is a great go to cigar for an hour of satisfaction. And for like 3 bucks, it's a no brainer.

It's complex in its flavors, but doesn't developed anything. It's pretty much the same flavors throughout. Not boring at all, but don't expect it to transition as you smoke it.  I am starting to feel it now after 45 minutes, but flavors pretty much vary between the same cedar, caramel, and molasses.  

It does bite to tongue a little more with the same flavors. Not harsh though. Maybe now more medium to full flavor and more body as I smoke past the band. Some might say harsh, I've been smoking it all the way without a sip of whiskey or drink.  I did drink some Evan Williams charcoal filtered bourbon and coke prior to lighting this one up. Goes nice with the flavors.  I'm sure I could cool my mouth with another shot, but it is a late Wednesday night and I'm satisfied.

Overall, this is a satisfying smoke.  Could probably smoke it during the day, but does a good job delivering good full flavors the whole time for an hour. A great go to late night smoke.  I can't recommend a better $3 smoke.  Will it compete with a $8 smoke? Nope, but it does similar things, just not as refined and it is pretty straight forward. Finishes somewhat harsh, but that is its crescendo. Hell, now taste strong espresso. Strong  as hell at the end, making sure you cheapskates get your money's worth. 

Overall: 91

Flavor 88, complexity 87, burn 92, experience 92, value 94