Blind Cigar Review: PDR | A. Flores Gran Reserva Habano Half Corona

Cigar Info

Back in June of 2013, PDR Cigars announced the release of two new signature cigar series to debut at that summer’s IPCPR show in Las Vegas, in Las Vegas. The AFR-75, and the A. Flores Gran Reserva. As is the AFR-75, there were only 500 boxes of each size of the A. Flores Gran Reserva made available. In December 2014, three new releases came out in 2015, one of them was the half corona vitola for a new A. Flores Gran Reserva Habano blend, while two more sizes were released that summer. Today we are going to review the PDR | A. Flores Gran Reserva Habano Half Corona

The A. Flores Gran Reserva Habano Half Corona measures 3 1/2 x 46 and uses a Ecuadorian Claro HVA wrapper, Ecuadorian Habano binder and Dominican Habano and Nicaraguan Habano fillers. The new cigar will debut in five-pack tins with an MSRP of $25.45, with a 50-count box option coming later. The Habano version of the half corona uses a black band as opposed to the red ones that the A. Flores Gran Reserva Corojo.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Half Corona
Length: 3.5″
Ring Gauge: 46
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Claro HVA 
Binder: Ecuadorian Habano
Filler: Dominican Habano and Nicaraguan Habano
Factory: PDR Cigars
Blender: Abe Flores
Number of reviewers: 4 – Steve (ThaGreatWazoo) Kent (Throck) Alan (Eulogy) Ashley C. (Ashley C.)
Price: $5.10
Age: 1 year
Release Date: July 2015
Contributed by: PDR Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 94

“Right away my eye is drawn to the triple cap on this petite cigar. It almost looks as though this little beauty is quadruple capped. You can really tell that time was put into this cigar. While slightly veiny and a visible seam this cigar feels nicely rolled.” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)

Aroma: 94

“Picking up on barnyard type notes. Can really taste the hay and earthiness in the cold draw.” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“I would never had thought with the floral aromas such a strong pepper profile would come forwards so quickly. However, this little cigar packs some heat. A full black pepper profile is the leader and gives slightly away to a full leather on the finish. It is quite enjoyable to begin with.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)

“The first third was hallmarked by a sweet leather flavor that was a great introduction to my smoke. Nothing was too special about the flavor and it lacked overall complexity.” –Kent (Throck)

Second Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The complexity picked up during this brief section; the leather intensified and a more mossy background note developed. This addition of flavors was a nice overall adage but I was hoping something would start peaking my interest a bit more.” –Kent (Throck)

“There’s a slight sweetness that I’m picking up along with tobacco, rich leather, and a hint of pepper. I’m really enjoying the flavor profile so far.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The level of pepper has picked up just a tad, but it isn’t overpowering. The core flavors of leather, pepper, and rich tobacco are still there; and it all works together very well still.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Into the final third overall was mellow and very much like the initial aroma the cigar put off. Very earthy and much like a hay type flavor. There was a very slight spice kick on the retro.” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 97

“The draw was beautiful, simply put. Typically I find that smaller-gauged cigars suffer from tight draws, but this delivered in a massive way. I was able to develop heavy plumes of smoke with little effort.” –Kent (Throck)

Burn: 95

“Razor sharp burn though out the smoking experience and required no touch-ups or relights.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Construction: 95

“I have no complaints on the construction of this cigar! It held a very nice ash which I would guess that if I didn’t knock it off myself could have held through the entire smoke.” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 92

“With the initial aromas that I got from this cigar, I had expected the smoke would be floral and sweet also. This was not the case as I had quickly found out. Instantly, there was a strength and heat that were unexpected, but pleasantly surprising. However, the profile stayed flat with these flavors and lost my attention quickly. I feel that with some longer rest times, the profile will flourish more. So, if you are in the mood to give these a shot, and I think you should, let them rest fully and then enjoy.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)

“This is a little bit of a hard one to judge. The construction and other factors that influence the experience were really quite nice, but the flavors became monotonous and didn’t change in an appreciable way when burning through the segments. The cigar was appealing to the eye and the act of smoking was also pleasurable due to its fine construction. I think that I would only be smoking this again if I had a desire for a quick cigar.” –Kent (Throck)

“I really enjoyed this cigar. Even though it was a bit one dimensional, it had very good flavors and it’s size made for a nice quick smoke. I would definitely smoke another one of these if I was given an opportunity.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“This cigar surprised me with the initial aroma you wouldn’t have expected to get hit with the spice that the cigar put off right away. It was a nice mild quick smoke that I could possibly see having on a lunch break or early in the morning if you’re strapped for time! I would definitely try this cigar again!” –Ashley C. (Ashley C.)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 53

 

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Steve	88	95	90	90	88	93	93	88	88
Kent	95	90	90	90	90	97	93	93	90
Alan	95	93	95	95	92	95	97	95	95
Ashley C.	93	95	97	95	95	97	97	97	95

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: PDR | A. Flores Gran Reserva Half Corona