In 1975, the unemployment rate in the US hit 9.2%, and President Gerald Ford announced a recession. However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom that year — 1975 was also the year PDR Cigars owner, Abe Flores, was born.
The all-box-pressed A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada cigars line represents his birth year, with a blend that originally comprised of the finest Nicaraguan Habano and Dominican Corojo tobaccos. In 2019, the decision was made to add more Dominican Criollo ’98 to the filler blend to offer greater support to the Dominican cigar industry and “streamline the flavor profiles.”
The line was even given a name change, as well as sporting a more decorative look by being wrapped in elegant vellum paper. The original name and design is still widely recognized among retailers and smokers alike, but the modern version will soon be the only variety you see.
The revamped Privada Maduro (previously called the Capa Maduro) has often been overshadowed by the other blend in the line — the Privada Rosado (previously the Capa Habano). The Rosado claimed a top ten finish in Cigar Aficionado’s prestigious Top 25 Cigars list in 2014, but now it’s time for us to put the Privada Maduro firmly in the spotlight.
Brand Overview
PDR Cigars are a boutique brand that began in 2004 with just ten rollers and now produces over 5 million cigars a year at their factory in Tamboril, Dominican Republic.
Despite being a relatively new kid on the block compared to the extensive history of other cigar brands, Flores (himself verging on being a millennial) has spearheaded some phenomenal boutique cigars. They are known for their diverse blends, boutique charm, and use of the entubado technique for filler bunching.
While their numbers are far more modest when placed next to some of the Dominican-manufacturing giants in the industry, it allows Flores greater control over the craftsmanship and exquisite flavors. Starting his stogie journey as a graphic designer during the cigar boom in the 1990s, Flores can be proud of his transition to master blender and leader of a highly-respected company.
Cigar specs
- Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
- Strength: Medium
- Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
- Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
- Filler: Nicaraguan Habano and Dominican Corojo
- Smoking time: 75 minutes
Cold draw
Today’s 5 x 52 Robusto is cloaked in a dark, rich brown Ecuador Habano Maduro wrapper, which lifts with cedar and floral notes. It’s worth noting the Cuban-style cigar head is seldom seen in the Dominican Republic, but its application (like the rest of the cigar’s construction) is superb.
Once I cut the cap, the dry draw delivers cedar, coffee, white pepper, and the faintest gush of natural tobacco sweetness.
First third
Hits of leather, strong coffee, and toasted nuts roll out as soon as I set fire to my Flores, while a subtle blackberry note provides earthy undertones. Further, into the first third, I pick up some black pepper on the retrohale, while a cedar and cocoa bouquet blooms on my palate.
Second Third
Some dried fruit joins the intense coffee to bring a classic “Maduro” sweetness to the cigar’s impressive complexity. Some spice was now creeping into the background, giving warm nuances to the charred and toasty profile that popped with toasted nuts, burnt firewood, and cedar.
The creaminess from the leather and cocoa had lost its richness, but I was more than happy to savor the sweet and spicy flavor experience lighting up my burn path.
Final Third
The Maduro sweetness was taken up a notch in the final third, with pleasant hints of vanilla, coffee bean, and butterscotch. Flourishes of chocolate find their way into the finish, while the spice element has a grassy, white pepper twist.
After a joyous hour and 15 minutes of smoking time, the 1975 Serie Privada Capa Maduro SP52 finishes with a soft, cool nub.
Conclusion
Striking a seamless balance between delicate spice and trademark Maduro sweetness, this medium-strength stick is perfect for a novice looking to test out a smoke on the fuller side. The woodsy and earthy tones create additional contrast and complexity, while the surprise charms of blackberry, butterscotch, and vanilla help create one of the silkiest Maduro blends today.
Abe Flores stays true to his Dominican roots and traditional techniques, enabling him to create flavorful and great-burning cigars that any of the world’s finest tobacco-growing regions would be proud to offer. Packaged in 24-count boxes, add this line of PDR Cigars to your humidor today.
Unfortunately, the PDR A. Flores 1975 Serie Privada Capa Maduro is currently out of stock. But here are a few comparable suggestions to keep you satisfied!
Pledge by E.P. Carrillo cigars are also Dominican-made and feature a Habano Maduro wrapper, albeit from Connecticut rather than Capa Maduro’s Ecuador. They also both feature box-pressed sizes. If you want to enjoy one of the best cigars out there, the Pledge by E.P. Carrillo should be your first choice.
A classic and rich medium-bodied smoke, the Romeo y Julieta 1875 Reserve Maduro will provide a similar flavor profile to the Capa Maduro. These popular Connecticut Broadleaf-covered gems provide rich notes of cocoa, sweet spices, nuts, cedar, and leather that please aficionados across the country.
Another blend you will likely enjoy is the Alec & Bradley Gatekeeper. Although not wrapped with a Maduro leaf, these top-quality cigars are made with the same on-paper blend as the PDR Capa Maduro. The sweet and balanced medium-bodied flavors of chocolate, leather, cashews, and cedar are sure to be right up your alley.