PDR Cigars El Trovador – Rough Cut Cigar review

It was back in July of 2014 when PDR cigars filed for the El Trovador trademark on their, soon to be coming, El Trovador cigar line.

Two years later, Abe Flores and PDR cigars released their newest line at the IPCPR in Las Vegas. The name itself come to Abe when he was on a visit to Cuba and a vintage cigar band caught his eye. That band was the defunct El Trovador cigar brand. So out the ashes of Cuba, Abe resurrected the name for his new line. The English translation of the word Trovador, is Troubadour, Minstrel, Singer, or Lyrical Poet.

PDR cigars, describes the El Trovador blend as:

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Rosado
Binder: (Double): Nicaragua, Corojo
Filler: Nicaragua (2 parts Ligero, 1 1/2 parts Viso)

Packaged in 24-count boxes the El Trovador is available in 4 vitolas:

Petit Belicoso (4.5 x 50) MSRP $7.75
Robusto (5 x 52) MSRP $8.20
Corona Gorda (6 x 46) MSRP $8.75
Gran Toro (6 x 54) MSRP $9.20

For this review I sampled the PDR El Trovador Corona Gorda.

Cigar Review Notes

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Gorgeous red clay color rosado wrapper
Foot puts off a sweet berry and tea aroma with tobacco notes along the barrel
Triple capped
Solid to the touch
Band is Cubanesque in design and colors.
Cold draw gives rich earth, pepper, sweet fruit, and tea
All indications are this will be a fine journey
First puffs bring white pepper and nut
Coffee and a slight cinnamon note break in to keep the palate enticed
This better keep progressing because it is amazing so far
Orange tang enters after first inch plus.
Aroma is spicy pepper
Sweetness begins developing
Dark grey ash fell close to two inches
Berry starts to show up
Spice wraps the berry
A hint of coffee is trying to break back in
Real smooth smoke, full and creamy
Starting to get some roasted nut aromas
Halfway in solid medium
Spice and white pepper take control by the end of second third
The berry dances back in approaching the nub.
Total smoking enjoyment was just shy of an hour.

Overall, the PDR El Trovador cigar was an absolute flavor bomb from its pre-light scent, to its aromatic smoke and palate pleasing flavor. I can only explain the El Trovador as a lyrical set of flavor notes. This is definitely not just a welcome addition to the PDR portfolio, but a cigar line I hope to see expand over time. Simply delicious.