Perdomo cigars come from a Miami family company that likes to do everything itself. It grows tobacco on its own farms in Nicaragua, ages the leaf in its own warehouses, and rolls in its own factory in Estelí. That control shapes a broad range, from mild Connecticut cigars to dark maduros. This profile covers the family, the factory, the main lines and the house style.
The Perdomo family
The company’s founder is Nick Perdomo. His father, Nicholas Perdomo Sr., rolled cigars in Cuba before leaving for the United States, so the son grew up around the trade.
In the early 1990s, during the cigar boom, Nick started making cigars in Miami. At first it was a small operation. Over time, however, he moved the work to Nicaragua. There he built the business into one of Estelí’s larger makers. The company’s 30th Anniversary line marks those three decades.
Farms and the Estelí factory
Perdomo’s main base is a large factory in Estelí. The company also grows tobacco on its own farms in Nicaragua’s main regions, including Estelí, Condega and Jalapa. Our guide to Nicaraguan cigars explains how those regions differ.
Owning the farms matters. It lets the firm keep large stocks of old leaf. For example, the filler in the Champagne line is aged for about six years. Meanwhile, Lot 23 uses tobacco from a single plantation, aged for about five years.
Barrel ageing
One of Perdomo’s trademarks is bourbon barrel ageing. The company rests some tobacco in used American bourbon barrels before rolling. It says the wood adds a gentle sweetness and an oaky note.
Several lines carry this idea in their names, such as the Habano Bourbon Barrel-Aged. Others, such as the Double-Aged 12 Year Vintage, focus on extra time in storage. As a result, ageing is central to how the brand presents itself.
Main lines of Perdomo cigars
Many Perdomo lines come in three versions. A pale Connecticut wrapper is the mildest, a sun-grown wrapper sits in the middle, and a dark maduro is the richest. Here are the lines most smokers know.
| Line | Wrapper | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Anniversary Champagne | Ecuadorian Connecticut | Mild to medium |
| Lot 23 | Nicaraguan corojo | Medium |
| Habano Bourbon Barrel-Aged | Connecticut, sun-grown or maduro | Medium to full |
| 20th Anniversary | Connecticut, sun-grown or maduro | Medium to full |
| Double-Aged 12 Year Vintage | Several wrapper versions | Medium to full |
The Champagne is probably the best-known. Smokers commonly describe cedar, coffee, white pepper and a sweet, cracker-like note. By contrast, the maduro versions of the other lines are darker, with cocoa and espresso.
Perdomo is a handy brand for learning how a wrapper changes a blend. Try the same line in two wrappers, side by side, and the gap is easy to taste. Our guide to cigar wrappers explains the colours and what they mean.
House style
In general terms, Perdomo aims for smooth, sweet and well-aged cigars. Many lines show caramel, cedar and coffee, with a soft oaky edge where barrels are involved. Strength usually stays moderate, though some maduros go further.
Construction is generally solid, and smokers often report a good draw and an even burn. Some sizes come box-pressed, with a squared-off shape.
Strengths and criticisms
On the plus side, Perdomo cigars offer good value for the amount of ageing involved. The three-wrapper approach also makes it easy to find a strength that suits you. In addition, owning the farms gives the company steady supply.
However, some smokers find the range repetitive, because many lines share the same three-wrapper pattern. Others feel the barrel-ageing claims are hard to taste in practice. Finally, the gentle, sweet style may not satisfy fans of strong, peppery cigars.
Perdomo in Malaysia
Perdomo is a niche brand in Malaysia, with low local search interest. Even so, its mild Connecticut lines may appeal to smokers who want a lighter cigar with kopi or teh tarik. Like most non-Cuban houses, it tends to be harder to find locally than Habanos.
If you travel with cigars, check our guide to bringing cigars into Malaysia. In Malaysia’s humid climate, well-aged cigars still need careful storage, so see our guide on how to store cigars. Mild or not, cigars carry real risks, which our page on cigar health risks explains.
Where to read more
- Nicaraguan cigars: Estelí, Condega and Jalapa
- Oliva: another large Estelí house
- Cigar brands: every profile in our directory
Frequently asked questions
Where are Perdomo cigars made?
In Estelí, Nicaragua. The company runs its own factory there and grows much of its tobacco on its own Nicaraguan farms. Its offices are in the Miami area.
What is the Perdomo Champagne?
The Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne is a mild-to-medium cigar with a pale Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and Nicaraguan filler aged for several years. It is often recommended as an easy-going choice.
What does bourbon barrel-aged mean?
Perdomo rests some of its tobacco in used bourbon barrels before rolling. The company says this adds a sweet, oaky note to the finished cigar.
Is Perdomo a good brand for beginners?
Several lines are gentle enough, especially the Connecticut-wrapped versions. Our beginner’s guide explains how to choose a first cigar.
