Blind Cigar Review: Villiger | San’Doro Maduro Toro

Cigar Info

Villiger Cigars launched the Villiger San’Doro line at the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show in New Orleans. The San’Doro line is being launched in three blends: San’Doro Claro, San’Doro Colorado, and San’Doro Maduro. The San’Doro line is positioned a more premium regular production offering in the Villiger product line.

The San’Doro name pays homage to the times of Christopher Columbus. The name San’Doro is actually derived from “Indorum Sana Sancta” which translates to “Sacred Herb of India”. During the time of Columbus’ expeditions, many thought he had found the route to India and when tobacco was brought back, it was referred to as “Indorum Sana Sancta”.

The San’Doro Claro and San’Doro Colorado are offered in a Robusto, Toro, and Churchill format in 20 count boxes. The San’Doro Maduro is only offered in a Toro size. The San’Doro Maduro comes out of Brazil at Villiger’s Charitos Tobajara Ltda, located in Cruz das Almas in the state of Bahia and is a Brazilian puro.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Brazil
Wrapper: Brazilian Mata Fina
Binder: Brazilian Mata Norte
Filler: Brazilian Mata Fina and Mata Norte
Factory: Charitos Tobajara Ltda
Blender: Roy MacLaren
Number of reviewers: 5 —– Alan (Eulogy) Jeff (ExpendableYouth) Stefan (Stefan) Robert (NavyPiper) Ryan (Youngryan216)
Price: $12.00
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: July 2015
Contributed by: Villiger Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 93

“This cigar is a dark brown color with some raised veins. Overall the cigar appears to be skillfully rolled with no cracks or blemishes on the wrapper.” -Ryan (Youngryan216)

Aroma: 88

“There is almost no smell to this cigar. There’s nothing on the wrapper and only a very faint barnyard on the foot and pre-draw.” -Alan (Eulogy)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“I’m kind of surprised at the level of flavor that I’m getting from this. considering the almost odorless pre-light. There’s a great balance of leather, cedar, pepper, and occasionally a burnt caramel flavor. My only real complaint is that the draw is way too tight.” -Alan (Eulogy)

“The cigar starts off with an oily black pepper, charred wood, and chocolate. The retro-hale has a sweet coffee flavor to it. The cigar is severely restricted and it is incredibly difficult to get any smoke out of it.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The second-third has transitioned a bit. It still has the oily black pepper that coats the mouth, but the woodiness is less bitter and there is a more chocolate flavor overall. The cigar is still really restricted, and has a pretty poor smoke output.” -Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

“The second third was just as good as the first one, and pretty consistent with the first third, with the only difference being a small amount of pepper came into the mix, and the raisin flavor backed off slowly, eventually losing it.” -Robert (NavyPiper)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The nicotine level spike quite a bit from the previous two-thirds, it’s not overpowering but is certainly noticeable. I was also finally able to smoke past the plug and the smoke output actually quite good. The flavors have also picked up over the last third producing a black coffee, leather, cedar, and very slight pepper. It’s not a bad profile but there is a pretty strong bitter finish that isn’t very enjoyable.” -Alan (Eulogy)

“The final third is marked by notes of damp wood and spice, with white pepper notes at the forefront backed by hints of green Bell peppers. Finishes with dark notes of cocoa beans and wood at the nub.” -Stefan (Stefan)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 90

“Draw is on the tight side, and steady till the end.” -Stefan (Stefan)

Burn: 90

“While it is a slow burner, this cigar only required one touch-up.” -Ryan (Youngryan216)

Construction: 91

“A well-made cigar with an easily removed cap and perfectly bunched leaves.” -Ryan (Youngryan216)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 87

“I would want to give this one another chance. It had good flavors initially and at the end. I think a little rest might help the ease the bitterness at the end and if the draw was better, improve the overall enjoyment of the cigar.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“This cigar was plagued with problems for me and they never improved. I couldn’t recommend this cigar because I have no idea how it was suppose to be.” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)

“A very nice, smooth and well-balanced woodsy smoke.” –Stefan (Stefan)

“Overall if the whole stogie would’ve maintained all the flavors of the first third, especially the raisins, it would’ve been outstanding to me. The changes were good, but I really liked the raisin flavor as it really complimented the other flavors.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“The basic flavors of wheat, hay, and the occasional sour note are not ideal in terms of balance and blend profile. This cigar was easily approachable from a smokeability standpoint. But it was incredibly weak, and lacked depth and nuance. I would not smoke this again as it was really nothing special.”-Ryan (Youngryan216)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 93

 

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Alan	Eulogy)	92	87	92	85	87	80	92	88	85
Jeff	ExpendableYouth)	92	87	88	87	78	75	85	78	75
Stefan	Stefan)	90	87	90	92	90	92	92	95	90
Robert	NavyPiper)	92	87	92	90	87	90	85	85	87
Ryan	Youngryan216)	92	90	88	87	85	97	95	97	85

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Villiger | San’Doro Maduro Toro