J.C. Newman Cigar Co. recently refreshed the branding on their Perla Del Mar brand of cigars. The cigars, iconic for their unique box press and value, received a change to the cigar box art as well as the cigar blend. Perla Del Mar was originally a brand owned by the Perfecto Garcia & Bros. Cigar Company, a Tampa-based manufacturer and neighbor to J.C. Newman Cigar Co. Perfecto Garcia manufactured cigars until their Tampa factory closed in 1981. Honoring the legacy of the brand’s Tampa roots, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. released the new Perla Del Mar in a “Tampa-style” box press. The Tampa-style gives the cigars a more rectangular appearance. The filler blend for the new Perla Del Mar underwent additional aging and changed to include more viso leaves.
The new Perla Del Mar Maduro features a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler. With all honesty, the new Perla Del Mar Maduro is better than it has ever been. The new blend brings notes of acidity and spice which balance the rich, dark flavor of the broadleaf Maduro wrapper. The result is a phenomenal everyday Maduro with a unique shape from the Tampa-style box press.
The Perla Del Mar Maduro Corona Gorda is one of the best sizes offered by J.C. Newman Cigar Co. At 5.5’x46, the smaller ring gauge of the corona gorda accentuates the flavor of the aged broadleaf maduro wrapper. With this size, the wrapper’s tasting notes of black coffee and mole sauce are at the forefront of the cigar’s profile.
At a glance, the cigar bears a beautiful dark brown wrapper with an oily sheen. The cigar is aromatic and pleasing, bearing floral notes with some pepper. The cigar lights easily and evenly, maintaining a consistent burn rate throughout the smoking experience. With tasting notes of dark roasted coffee and cocoa nibs, the broadleaf Maduro is a delight and a constant companion. The long filler of the cigar adds in secondary tasting notes of molasses, leather, pepper, orange peel, and cinnamon. The strength of the cigar builds with each third but never overwhelms, instead providing a nice boost to the flavor profile. The retrohale of the cigar proves a bit sharp, but generally enjoyable. The cigar takes about forty-five minutes to smoke and its ash holds together quite well. The Perla Del Mar Maduro is a fantastic everyday Maduro, providing rich flavors and incredible value. At $143.75 for a box of twenty-five, the Perla Del Mar Maduro Corona Gorda is a fine addition to anyone’s humidor. With the new blend and the “Tampa-style” box press, the Perla Del Mar represents a new and sensational smoking experience for everyone.