Blind Cigar Review: Flor de Gonzalez | 90 Miles 1980 Edition Gordito

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Factory: Flor de Gonzalez
Blender: Arnaldo Gonzalez
Number of reviewers: 5 —– Sandeep (Djangos) Gregg (McGreggor57) Brian (B-daddy) Milton (mjohnsoniii) Ron (shuckins)
Price: $6.50
Age: 4 months rest
Release Date: July 2013
Contributed by: Flor de Gonzalez Cigars

Cigar Info

From Manufacturer – “90 Miles 1980 cigars are the 3rd release in this award-winning brand by Flor De Gonzalez. Made with a blend of Nicaraguan & Dominican Ligero, a rare, Ecuadorian-grown, Connecticut seed Broadleaf binder, and a flawless Mexican San Andres capa. The smoke is medium-full and ultra-creamy. Opening with notes of caramel, the cigar builds to a perfectly balanced mix of earthy, nutty and sweet tobacco flavors. The ash and burn are equally outstanding.

The 90 Miles 1980 Edition Gordito is the first Flor de Gonzalez cigar to employ a Maduro wrapper from San Andres, Mexico. Named for the year Yadi Gonzalez and her family arrived in Key West in the Mariel Boat lift, Mrs. Gonzalez handcrafted the medium-bodied 90 Miles 1980 Edition herself, filling it with the finest Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco blend and Connecticut broadleaf binder from Ecuador.”

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 89

Blind Cigar Review: Flor de Gonzalez | 90 Miles 1980 Edition Gordito — Blind Cigar Review: Flor de Gonzalez | 90 Miles 1980

“This robusto sized cigar is looking pretty good. It has nice, deep brown color that’s uniform from foot to cap with few veins showing. In the right light, you can see a faint oily sheen. Nice.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

Aroma: 90

“Leather, coffee, and woodsy smelling tobacco.” –Ron (shuckins)

Construction: 89

“Well constructed with firm feel the entire length. No soft spots are apparent. Some of the veins are prominently felt.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Predominately cedar at the start leaving a dry oak and leather flavor to coat the palate. Occasional spice on the retrohale of white pepper. Good draw with a beautiful light ash.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“The pre-light aroma was spot on as I enjoy the taste of leather and coffee, along with an oak tasting tobacco that’s up front proud and strong.” –Ron (shuckins)

Second Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Now that the pepper is dying down a bit the other flavors are definitely beginning to come through more. The dark chocolate and some nutmeg is predominant. There is definitely a lot more leather. Some hay and woodsy flavors are also coming through. The ash holds till the mid point of the cigar before falling off. The burn line is straight and there is copious amounts of thick creamy smoke. The cigar is definitely picking up in complexity in this third.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“At the start of the second third, the smoke volume picks up a little and the flavor intensity does too. It’s dry cedar and leather on the draw and it hands around a while now on the finish (maybe 30 seconds or so). That leather and a little pepper is definitely coming out in the retrohale now. Unfortunately, the increase in intensity also brings a hint of charcoal bitterness with it.” –Brian (B-daddy)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The flavors are more complex in the last third with a lot of chocolate, nutmeg and sweet spices. The pepper has died down almost completely at the start of the third but pick back up towards the end of the third. There is also some nuttiness probably almonds? The ash is still very solid and the burn is still straight. The smoke is very creamy and thick like the last third.” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“The smoke was very abundant and creamy throughout the course of smoking this one and although the smokiness has all but died down, the nuttiness and coriander-like sweetness stayed consistent with a slightly stronger espresso taste that crept back in. This was a very solid smoke.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 91

“A very good draw from the onset allowing the full flavors to come through.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

Burn: 92

“The burn was great throughout. Never wandered and needed no attention. If the smoke volume was better, it would have been just about perfect.” –Brian (B-daddy)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 89

“Except for the first third which was very peppery to a point of drowning out most of the other flavors the cigar does not disappoint in the next 2/3 with a lot of complexities in terms of flavor. There is a lot of chocolate and leather along with some sweet spices and nuts. Definitely would do this one again. The burn and smoke are great from start to finish!” –Sandeep (Djangos)

“The final third was the star of this stick. The bightness of the cedar initially overpowered the muted richer flavors, although the cedar itself was not overpowering. All in all I consider this a pretty good cigar, one that I would enjoy trying again.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“The cigar performed pretty well but the flavor profile was weak and not really to my liking once the intensity did hit its stride. I don’t think I’d look to smoke this one again or recommend it to others. Overall, it was mediocre.” –Brian (B-daddy)

“This cigar was a very enjoyable one and offered a combination of flavors that married very well. It seemed to me that it had a bit of age on it that should only get better with more. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to trying more of these gems.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)

“Too woodsy tasting for my liking, but if that’s the flavor you like in your cigars then this may be one you should try.” –Ron (shuckins)