I recently smoked the La Perla Habana Black Pearl Oro Toro, a decent cigar at a fair price. I have provided my full review below. This content uses referral links.
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A recent shipment from Cigar of the Month included the La Perla Habana Black Pearl Oro Toro. This was a good cigar overall. While mediocre for a premium stick, that’s still saying a lot. I would happily smoke this cigar again.
La Perla Habana Black Pearl Oro Toro
A Nicaraguan cigar made with various Cuban-seed Dominican and Nicaraguan long-fillers, a Dominican binder, and an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, this cigar was nothing special, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.
Cigar of the Month recommends pairing it with a Breakfast Blend Roast coffee. I followed this advice, though with a darker blend than recommended. The two went together well nonetheless.
In my grading system and review below, I have adopted the Cigar Journal: For the Discerning Aficionado method. It provides an excellent system for keeping track of my favorite smokes, and I recommend it to any cigar smoker.
Time of the Smoke
It took me about an hour and twenty minutes to work through this smoke.
Look of the Label
As the picture indicates, the label was beautiful. It was eloquent without being over the top.
3/3 points
La Perla Habana Black Pearl’s Condition
The La Perla Habana Black Pearl Oro Toro did not come well constructed. Its foot was wrinkled, there was some splitting in the wrapper, and it looked almost like it was falling apart. I hope—and imagine—that this was a one-off fluke, but I have no way of knowing that until I try another.
3/7 points
Feel of the Cigar
The cigar had a good feel overall and was consistently rolled.
3/3 points
Aroma of the Wrapper
The pre-lit cigar smelled terrific with hints of vanilla, cream, spice, and earth. It was also smooth and appetizing.
3/3 points
The Cut
The cut was fine. It resulted in some fraying but nothing of great concern.
1/1 point
Lighting the La Perla Habana Black Pearl
The La Perla Habana Black Pearl Oro Toro lit up quickly and without issue.
1/1 point
The Draw
The draw was perfect from beginning to end. It had just the right amount of resistance, making for a nice, relaxing smoke throughout.
5/5 points
Retrohale
On the retrohale, the La Perla Habana Black Pearl had hints of pepper and earth. It was, however, kind of bland and just ok.
6/9 points
La Perla Habana Black Pearl’s Flavor
On the cold draw, I picked up earth. After the light, the La Perla Habana Black Pearl Oro Toro had notes of earth, pepper, and cream. It was a nice, enjoyable smoke, but nothing particularly special.
15/21 points
Aroma of the Smoke
After the initial light, the cigar’s smoke smelled of earth and cream. It was, however, a bit abrasive.
5/7 points
The Burn
This cigar burned perfectly from beginning to end. It stayed even and consistent throughout.
2/2 points
The Ash
The ash was too loose, falling off into my lap twice without warning. It simply wasn’t sturdy enough to keep the ash intact for any reasonable period of time.
0/1 point
Effect of the Smoke
I know that this is a bit of an odd category to consider. As the author of The Cigar Journal: For the Discerning Aficionado notes, however, if the best-tasting cigar in the world makes you sick, it’s not a great cigar for you.
This area is, therefore, very personal. Some low-quality cigars will make most people sick. Still, when you’re talking about premium cigars, different people will react differently to different cigars.
This cigar left me feeling relaxed and mellow, precisely what I want.
30/30 points
La Perla Habana Black Pearl’s Tobacco
The La Perla Habana Black Pearl Oro Toro showed itself to be well-made here. No flakes of tobacco found their way into my mouth at any point during the smoke.
7/7 points
La Perla Habana Black Pearl Bonus Points
This was an overall enjoyable cigar, and I smoked it all the way down to the nub. +1
La Perla Habana Black Pearl Final Grade
Overall, this was a decent cigar. The taste wasn’t anything special, but it was an enjoyable hour-and-a-half smoke. At $3.75, it’s also reasonably priced for its quality.
Final Grade: 85 / B
Cigar of the Month Club
As always, I recommend Monthly Clubs’ Cigar of the Month Club. I’ve been a member for years, and I love it. If you join, you’ll get five premium cigars delivered right to your door every month for just $32.95, including shipping.
(There’s also a slightly more expensive Rare Cigar Club available, for those who are interested.)
The opportunity to try a variety of high-quality cigars and to learn more about cigars in general through the accompanying tasting notes has been an invaluable experience for me. I have enjoyed being a member, and I recommend giving it a try.
If you’re interested and would like to use my referral link, I would appreciate it. Just click here. If you do, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
If you’d prefer not to use my link, however, I still recommend the Club. Just go to Monthly Clubs’ Cigar of the Month website to explore Monthly Clubs’ offerings.
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