Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the Pichardo Clasico is dark tan with a greenish tinge to it. There is a network of slightly raised veins present and the seams, while smooth, are easily visible due to a darker color on their edge. The head is finished off with a well applied double cap. The band is blue and gold and carries the brands logo and name with the line name displayed at the bottom. The aroma from the wrapper is a slightly green hay while the foot brings wood and baking spice. The pre-light draw brings a light and airy cedar.

First Third

The cigar begins with a mix of toasted oak and mild black pepper. At a quarter inch in, some mustiness joins the profile. The retrohale is musty oak with a bit of a black pepper zing. At an inch in, the toasted oak, mustiness and black pepper are all even. The profile maintains itself through the end of the third. The strength was right at medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the black pepper has a slight lead over the toasted oak and mustiness. At a half inch in, all of the components are back to even. The retrohale is an even mix of musty oak and black pepper. At an inch and a quarter, the toasted note of the oak transitions to a light char. At an inch and three quarters, the charred and musty oak is now slightly ahead of the black pepper. The strength in this third bumped up to slightly above medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the char and black pepper lighten up a bit as some dry earth joins the profile. At a quarter inch in, the oak is quite full and the black pepper has left the profile. The retrohale is now musty and charred oak. The profile maintains the lightly charred and musty oak along with dry earthiness the rest of the way. The strength in this third snuck up to medium-full.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy throughout but always corrected itself. The ash held on in inch and a half increments.

Draw

The draw was slightly tighter than I prefer, but didn’t cause any issues with the smoking experience.

Overall

The cigar began with a mix of toasted oak and mild black pepper. Some mustiness joined in fairly quickly. The second third saw the toasted note transition to char. The final third saw the black pepper depart. Construction was very good and strength built from medium up to medium-full. The Pichardo Clasico had a fairly average flavor profile and experience level throughout. There were a core set of flavors with some minimal transitions. The strength was a bit sneaky, as I was feeling it a bit in the final third. The price point is approachable, so it’s well worth a try, I’m just note sure how often I see myself coming back to it though.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.50

Cost/Point

$1.73

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Pichardo Clasico