Pre-light Experience

A solid perfecto, the cigar is rolled well and is firm throughout. The wrapper is applied well and the tapered head is fantastic. The wrapper sports a nice marbled brown coloring and I would classify it as being Colorado Maduro. It has a fine gritty texture and there are small to medium sized veins present throughout. The foot of the cigar is showing notes of cocoa, spices, tobacco and wood while the wrapper is delivering earth, tobacco and spice notes.

First Third

The first third begins by delivering some nice red pepper notes and it is accompanied by this salty wood profile as well. There are some mineral aspects present along with that and the finish is of cream and milk chocolate. There is a nice draw to the cigar and it is a cool draw that produces a nice bit of smoke. The ash is holding on well, almost the first third and it is a light charcoal colored ash. I would classify the cigar as being medium overall, possibly medium-full and that goes for flavors, body and strength.

Second Third

As I get into the second third of the cigar, the third that has the largest ring gauge, I am seeing a change in the flavor profile. This third delivers a more cream and chocolate focused flavor profile and it is in this third that the spice and pepper notes are on the finish. The finish still has that mineral quality and it is not showing red pepper notes but more white pepper notes in this third. The construction remains top notch in this third and the ash holds on well while delivering that light charcoal coloring. In terms of strength, body and the flavors, the cigar is at the same level and it is a medium level throughout.

Final Third

When I get into the final third of the cigar, I am finding a change in the flavor profile once again and it is a return to the flavor profile that was present in the first third. It is spicier and delivering this red and white pepper profile. There are some salty wood notes present and with that some leather and mineral qualities. The cream and chocolate notes have left the cigar and the finish has a little bit of a bite with some sharp mineral notes. The burn line has remained top notch in the final third and the draw is slightly warm. The ash has a darker charcoal color to it and it is holding on firmly to the tapered finish. I would classify the finish as being medium-full and that is for the body, strength and flavors.

Burn

There were times when the burn was a little off but with a few minor touch-ups all was corrected. Other than that, the cigar smoked well and it produced a solid ash that has a nice coloring and held on firmly till the end. There are cases where the cigars coming out of Tabacalera Palma have construction issues, but this cigar was not the case.

Draw

I thought the draw was very good from beginning to end. I was concerned with the perfecto shape that there would be some draw issues at the beginning and the end, but that was not the case and it was pleasantly surprising. Nice balance between the draw not being too loose or too snug.

Overall

There is a lot that can be said about the La Instructora Perfection Invicto. The whole line and brand to be honest, but what can be said is that while these cigars are good and enjoyable, the price tag that goes along with that is not justifiable. I am not taking that into account with my actual critique of the cigar, but I do think it important to be said in my conclusion. This cigar, and the more premium lines from the company come with a high price tag and I can tell you that smoking other cigars from Tabacalera Palma at a lower price point can give you a very similar smoking experience. With that being said, I did enjoy the Perfection line and it is a solid line that shows the quality of Dominican Criollo and Piloto Cubano tobacco. There are some that say Dominican tobacco can’t compete against Nicaraguan tobacco in terms of body, strength and flavors, but I will tell you that the tobacco grown by Jochy Blanco can and does go head to head with Nicaraguan tobacco. The Perfection Invicto is a fun size that gives the smoker the experience to enjoy all the tobaccos in the blend and see the impact that they have on the cigar with a different ring gauge. If you want to know what quality Dominican Criollo ’98 and Dominican Piloto Cubano taste like, this is a cigar that will give you just that.

Seth Geise

SCORE

6.22

Cost/Point

$2.90

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: La Instructora Perfection Invicto