Well the 83rd annual IPCPR is over and we made it back to the Stogie Press lounge safe and sound. As I was filling the humidor with the samples provided at the show decided to open up the small tin of PDR Cigars A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Half Coronas. I am not normally a fan of cigars in the tin but these particular little babes are a sight too be seen. The tin is well designed and holds these short cigars perfectly with a form made for each stick. The cigars themselves are each individually encased in a cedar sleeve with a red satin band on the foot. There is even a small red satin ribbon around the center of the 5 cigars to easily remove the stick from the tin. The pride in the construction and packaging of this small cigar was evident all the way through including the perfectly applied band.
The Band itself is a classic band that Anthony said he liked a lot. It is very Cubanesque – embossed red, gold, and white with the words “A. Flores” on top “Gran Reserva” on the bottom and the year 1975 in the middle. It is surrounded with gold medallions and in smaller gold font the words “Fabrica PDR Cigars” across the top and “Republica Dominicana” across the bottom.
After removing the cedar sleeve of the A. Flores Gran Reserva you will notice an enticing cigar with a smooth reddish-brown Dominican Corojo 2006 Wrapper that had no major veins and tight seams and rolled the using the classic Cuban method – Entubado. This is a an absolute miniature replica of the full size A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada from PDR cigars. The remainder of the construction includes Dominican Olor Binder and Dominican Corojo and Nicaraguan Habano Filler.
Besides the Half Corona vitola, the A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada is also available in a 5×52 Robusto and 6×54 Toro.
I decided to fire one up and was so delighted with the flavor and burn that it was a no-brainer to start the Stogie Press crew up on this sample before we hit the stash over the next few months.
The PDR website states:
…A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada. A cigar that uses the oldest tobacco in the PDR factory, and for good reason, they are a tribute to Abe Flores who has become a major player in the world of premium hand rolled cigars. The PDR A. Flores Serie Privada’s are available in two Ecuadorian Wrappers. The Habano wrapper delivers great complexity and a creamy cool medium body cigar. Best way to describe this is creamy sweetness with a touch of spice at the finish.
I invited my Stogie Press brothers, Alton and Anthony over to the lounge to start the tasting and they were just as impressed as I with the presentation. I told them this is a terrific smoke but will leave it to them to decide and give me their flavor notes as we sat in the lounge a cooler than normal summer night in Central Florida.
The pre-light ritual was consistent in notes. there was a sweet almost buttery scent on the foot and the wrapper was providing a heavy touch of pepper on the lips. Alton described it as cinnamon while Anthony and I agreed on black pepper. There was also an earthy note to the dry-draw.
PDR A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Tin
Once we fired them up, we all agreed that the A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Half Corona delivered a full volume of smoke with an immediate burst of pepper to the palate that was quite strong on the retro-hale. The pepper diminished rapidly after a few good draws and the draw itself was spectacular.
PDR A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Tin
We all agreed that there was a cedar flavor running through that balanced well with the sweetness. I personally also got a nut aroma off the burning foot and a touch of tang after about an inch in. As it burned, the flavor profile stayed consistent but I did pick up a few bursts of white chocolate just before the band. I get that now and then, right near the sides of my back teeth.
As we removed the bands and the A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada burned down some more, we all picked up a coffee note that entered the profile but the sweetness remained throughout.
PDR A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Tin
Alton noted that the strength picked up also and said he felt it just after the band. I did not get that strength but then again I was smoking cigars all day for the past 4 days at IPCPR2015. Anthony noted that near the end there was a sweet cherry note that showed up.
Overall, the A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Half Corona was an outstanding short (45 min or so) smoke and it is one I would definitely buy more of. I am looking forward to sampling the full-grown toro version of this fine smoke.
Great job PDR and A. Flores on creating a spectacular short smoking experience. Great for a lunch break or morning start of the day.
PDR A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Tin