For this Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro review, I smoked the Toro, and the verdict is about as uncomplicated as it gets.
This cigar earned 5 out of 5 Robes from me.
It had the rich flavor I wanted from a Maduro, smoked easily, behaved itself, and gave me absolutely no reason to fight with it.
Then I paired it with Wild Turkey Rare Breed.
That worked too.
Really well.
The Lot 23 Maduro brought coffee, cocoa, roasted nuts, earth, cedar and spice while Rare Breed came in with caramel, maple sweetness, dark cherry, baking spice and oak.
Neither one disappeared.
Neither one needed rescuing.
They just worked.
Bathrobe Patriot Cigar Rating: 5/5 Robes
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Pairing: 5/5 Robes
Would I buy it again? Absolutely.
Quick Answer: Is the Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro Good?
Yes.
And this one isn’t getting five Robes because it’s flashy or expensive.
It’s getting five Robes because it delivered the things that actually matter when I’m sitting down to smoke a cigar:
Rich flavor.
Easy smoke.
Good construction.
Enough strength to stay interesting.
And a finish that made me want another one.
The Lot 23 Maduro sits in that sweet spot between an everyday cigar and something substantial enough for Friday night with a serious bourbon.
That’s a very useful place to be.
★★★★★ — 5/5 Robes
Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro at a Glance
| Specification | Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro |
|---|---|
| Size smoked | Toro |
| Vitola | 6 × 50 |
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Maduro |
| Binder | Cuban-seed Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Cuban-seed Nicaraguan |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Country | Nicaragua |
| Flavor direction | Rich, earthy, coffee, cocoa, spice |
| Bathrobe Patriot Rating | 5/5 Robes |
| Buy Again? | Absolutely |
Perdomo says the Lot 23 line uses 5-year-aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobaccos grown on the same Lot 23 farm in Estelí. The Maduro version adds a higher-priming Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper and is officially described as rich and sweet, with mocha, spice, oak and espresso characteristics.
What Makes Perdomo Lot 23 Different?
The story behind Lot 23 is actually worth knowing.
Instead of pulling tobacco from different farms and regions, Perdomo developed the blend around tobacco grown on one specific plot of land near Estelí.
Think of it a little like a single-vineyard wine.
Perdomo says the project began around 2000 when Nick Perdomo Sr. and Nick Jr. developed the farm together. The tobacco used for the Lot 23 family is aged for five years before going into the cigars.
That’s interesting.
But it wouldn’t matter much if the cigar didn’t taste good.
Fortunately, it does.
Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro Flavor Profile
This is where the Maduro earned its score for me.
It’s rich without being muddy.
It’s flavorful without making you work to find the flavors.
And it’s strong enough to have some personality without turning cigar night into an endurance test.
The profile I got ran through:
Cedar
Coffee
Pepper
Roasted nuts
Espresso
Cocoa
Baking spice
There’s some earth underneath everything as well, which fits the cigar’s darker overall personality.
Perdomo’s official notes lean toward mocha, spice, oak and espresso, which is pretty damn close to where my experience landed.
First Third: Cedar, Coffee and Pepper
The beginning showed more of the woody and spicy side.
Cedar came through early, followed by coffee and pepper.
The pepper gave the cigar some life without overwhelming everything else.
That’s an important distinction.
I like spice.
I don’t need every cigar to punch me in the mouth just to prove it’s Nicaraguan.
The Lot 23 had enough.
Then it started getting more interesting.
Second Third: Coffee Turns Darker
As the cigar settled in, the profile became richer.
The coffee moved closer to espresso.
Roasted nut flavors started showing up.
Cocoa joined the mix.
The initial pepper was still around, but it became part of the background instead of dominating the cigar.
This was probably where the Maduro showed its best balance.
Rich.
Dark.
Still easy.
And this is also where the Wild Turkey Rare Breed pairing made a lot of sense.
Final Third: Cocoa, Espresso and Baking Spice
Toward the final third, the cigar leaned harder into its darker side.
Espresso.
Cocoa.
Earth.
Baking spice.
Some of the cedar still hanging around underneath it.
The cigar became deeper without suddenly turning harsh or unpleasant.
That’s one of the reasons the rating stayed at five Robes.
A cigar can have a fantastic first half and still lose me at the finish.
This one didn’t.
Construction, Draw and Burn
Another easy section.
The Toro was an easy smoke.
That’s exactly what I want to be able to say about a cigar with this much flavor.
I didn’t feel like I was managing it.
I wasn’t thinking about construction while I was smoking.
I was thinking about the cigar.
That’s usually a very good sign.
Construction becomes memorable when something goes wrong.
When everything works, you get to forget about it and enjoy yourself.
That’s what happened here.
What Size Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro Should You Buy?
I smoked the Toro, and I think it was the right size for this cigar.
The 6 × 50 format gave the blend enough room to develop through the smoke without becoming excessive. It felt substantial, but it never crossed into “too much cigar” territory.
That matters with a Maduro.
You want enough time for the richer coffee, cocoa, earth and spice notes to build, but you also want the cigar to stay balanced and enjoyable from start to finish.
The Toro did exactly that.
If I bought this cigar again, I’d have no problem buying the Toro again.
How Strong Is the Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro?
Perdomo classifies the Maduro as medium-to-full bodied.
That description makes sense to me.
There’s definitely more horsepower here than you’ll get from something like a mild Connecticut cigar.
But I wouldn’t describe my experience as punishing.
That’s part of the cigar’s appeal.
You get the darker Maduro flavors and enough body to pair with a big bourbon, but the smoking experience itself stays surprisingly relaxed.
Strong enough to be interesting.
Easy enough to enjoy.
Good combination.
Is the Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro Good for Beginners?
It wouldn’t be my first recommendation for someone’s first cigar.
I’d rather let a new smoker get comfortable with something milder or medium-bodied first.
But if you’ve already smoked a few cigars and you’re ready to see what a richer Maduro profile tastes like, this is a very reasonable place to go next.
Coffee, cocoa, nuts, earth and spice are fairly recognizable flavors.
You’re not being asked to decode some mysterious tasting wheel.
You can just smoke it.
If you’re still figuring out wrappers, strength and cigar sizes, start with my Cigars 101 beginner’s guide before jumping into richer Maduro cigars.
Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro vs. Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro
This is now an interesting comparison because I gave both cigars 5-level experiences in their respective sessions—although the Melanio Maduro itself landed at 4.5 Robes.
The Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro gave me more:
Dark chocolate.
Espresso.
Cocoa.
Earth.
The Lot 23 Maduro gave me:
Cedar.
Coffee.
Pepper.
Roasted nuts.
Espresso.
Cocoa.
Baking spice.
Both are rich.
Both can handle substantial bourbon.
The Lot 23 feels a little more rustic and spicy to me.
The Melanio leans darker and more chocolate-forward.
I’d happily smoke either one again.
If you want the darker, more chocolate-forward side of this comparison, read my full Oliva Serie V Melanio Maduro review.
The Bourbon I Actually Paired With It: Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Now we get to the fun part.
I paired the Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro with Wild Turkey Rare Breed for Friday Night Pour Vol. 3.
This wasn’t a polite little pairing.
Rare Breed brings serious proof and plenty of flavor.
Caramel.
Maple sweetness.
Baking spice.
Dark cherry.
Oak.
The Lot 23 answered with:
Cedar.
Coffee.
Pepper.
Roasted nuts.
Espresso.
Cocoa.
Baking spice.
And somehow the whole thing found balance.
★★★★★ — 5/5 Robes
The bourbon’s sweetness helped soften the cigar’s pepper.
The oak connected naturally with the cigar’s cedar.
The coffee, cocoa and espresso flavors gave Rare Breed’s caramel and maple sweetness something darker to push against.
And the baking spice on both sides created another bridge.
That’s exactly what I want from a pairing.
Not:
Here’s a cigar. Here’s a bourbon. Good luck.
I want them interacting.
These did.
I tested this exact combination for Friday Night Pour Vol. 3, where Rare Breed and the Lot 23 Maduro earned 5 out of 5 Robes together.
Then add:
If you want to understand why combinations like this work, my bourbon and cigar pairing guide breaks down how I match sweetness, strength, spice and body.
If you want to understand why combinations like this work, my bourbon and cigar pairing guide explains how I match proof, strength, sweetness, spice and body.
Why Rare Breed Works With the Lot 23 Maduro
There’s a simple lesson in this pairing:
Big bourbon needs enough cigar.
Rare Breed can bulldoze a delicate smoke.
That’s not what happened here.
The Lot 23 Maduro had enough richness, earth, coffee, cocoa and spice to stay present.
At the same time, Rare Breed’s sweetness prevented the combination from becoming nothing but dark tobacco and pepper.
That’s balance.
And it’s exactly why price doesn’t determine a good bourbon and cigar pairing.
Flavor pairs with flavor.
Is the Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro Worth Buying?
This one is easy.
Yes.
Five Robes.
Easy smoke.
Great pairing potential.
And I’d absolutely buy it again.
That’s really the entire argument.
A cigar doesn’t need to be rare.
It doesn’t need a ridiculous band.
It doesn’t need to be something you photograph and then save for three years.
It needs to make you want another one.
The Lot 23 Maduro did.
If value matters as much as flavor, see my best affordable cigars guide for more cigars I’d actually consider buying regularly.
Who Should Smoke the Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro?
I’d recommend this cigar to someone who enjoys darker Maduro flavors, coffee and cocoa profiles, noticeable spice, medium-to-full cigars, bourbon pairings, or simply wants a richer cigar that doesn’t feel like work.
I’d probably go lighter if you’re brand new to cigars or strongly prefer creamy Connecticut-style blends.
Different cigar.
Different job.
FAQ: Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro Review
What size Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro did I smoke?
I smoked the Toro. Perdomo lists the Toro at 6 × 50, and I thought that size worked particularly well for this blend.
What does the Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro taste like?
My cigar developed through cedar, coffee and pepper into roasted nuts, espresso, cocoa, earth and baking spice. Perdomo’s official profile also identifies mocha, spice, oak and espresso.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro strong?
Perdomo categorizes it as medium-to-full bodied. I found it substantial but still easy to smoke.
What wrapper is on the Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro?
It uses a Nicaraguan Maduro wrapper over Cuban-seed Nicaraguan binder and filler.
Where does the Lot 23 name come from?
The cigar takes its name from Perdomo’s Lot 23 farm in Estelí, Nicaragua, where the tobacco used for the line is grown.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro good with bourbon?
Absolutely. I paired mine with Wild Turkey Rare Breed and gave the combination 5 out of 5 Robes.
Would I buy the Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro again?
Yes. No hesitation.
Final Verdict: Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro Review
Final Verdict: Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro Review
The Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro Toro gave me rich flavor, an easy smoking experience and a profile that kept developing without becoming a chore.
I got cedar, coffee and pepper early.
Then roasted nuts, espresso, cocoa and baking spice started showing up.
And when I put Wild Turkey Rare Breed beside it, everything clicked.
Cigar Rating: ★★★★★ — 5/5 Robes
Rare Breed Pairing: ★★★★★ — 5/5 Robes
Buy it if: You want a richer Maduro with coffee, cocoa, earth, nuts and spice that can stand up to a substantial bourbon.
Skip it if: You’re looking for an ultra-mild cigar.
Would I buy it again? Absolutely.
The Toro hit the sweet spot.
It had enough time to develop, enough flavor to stay interesting, and none of the drama that ruins a good cigar.
That’s a five-robe smoke.
Want more bourbon and cigar combinations I’ve actually tested? See every Friday Night Pour bourbon and cigar pairing in one place.
Eric Webber is the founder of Bathrobe Patriot, a lifestyle brand centered on bourbon, cigars, and common sense. As an ISSA-certified trainer and former restaurant owner with 20 years of experience, he values quality over quantity and backbone over political correctness. Currently, Eric lives in Safety Harbor, Florida, where he advocates for a life of balance, discipline, and the occasional slow pour. Consequently, his mission is to provide you with the unfiltered truth about the gear, spirits, and culture that define the American spirit.