Cigar Weekly

The Don Tomas Cameroon Collection is the newest line from US Cigars, the premium cigar division of US Tobacco. This brand combines the rich spicy flavor of genuine sun-grown Cameroon wrappers that have been aged for three years, with a Dominican binder and blend of filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Brazil and Mexico. The binder and filler tobaccos have been aged a minimum of four years. Introduced in 2000, Don Tomas Cameroon Collection is available in five shapes, four of which are perfectos.

The Perfecto No. 4 is the largest cigar in the range at 48 ring gauge and 7 inches.

Pre-Smoke Comments

Gill Shillcutt (gillspc): The cigar had a very good appearance. The roll was good, tight and even with good color. There were no discolorations or cracks. The aroma was good, slightly spicy with a hint of coffee.

Greg House (Poohdvm): I got very excited when I saw these samples. Nice looking stogie. The cigar is 7 inches long with a 48 ring gauge at its thickest. The foot begins with a small tip. Lovely dark natural wrapper with a medium texture. Firm and consistent bunch. Smooth cap. Both samples were nice and oily. Pre-smoke draw was nice with a subtle tobacco aroma.

J. R. Mills (miata96): Nice evenly wrapped 7 X 48 cigar, although both samples had a small loose leaf. Natural brown, slightly veiny, wrapper, both examples were uneven burning at first, settling down in the last 2/3's of the smoke. Very nice draw, with a fragrant nose.

Karl T. Kimball (Karl): A well wrapped darkish brown wrapper first greets the eye, smooth and only slightly irregular with veins not too pronounced. There is a well capped head, tightly wrapped, in a cigar itself very firmly and tightly wrapped, yet amazingly easy to draw. A twisted torpedo foot makes for a modest beginning to a smoke which never becomes presumptuous.

Keith Sprouse (Keith_S): This cigar was a very attractive perfecto that was obviously the product of careful construction. From the cap to the foot, the roll was firm without soft or hard spots, and the toothy dark-brown wrapper was lightly veined. The unique appearance of the cigar makes this reviewer think of the Arturo Fuente Hemingway line. The draw on one sample was perfect while the other one was a bit tight, and both cigars experienced some uneven burning.

Mel Stephens (Cajunrapper): Beautiful brown leathery wrapper. Smooth cap. Firm even bunch throughout. Very aesthetically pleasing tip.

Robert E. Tyler (bigbob): This cigar looks great and feels solid. This is a very nice cigar to hold and wave in front of the less fortunate. You feel good holding this pretty, well constructed beauty. After a few moments of this you will need to have a smoke.

Smoke Comments

Gill Shillcutt (gillspc): The smoke was also good. The cigar burned evenly with a good firm ash. The wrapper stayed even throughout the smoke, there was no curling or flaking. The overall smoke was good, with a nice spicy smoke flavor, not harsh but enough bite to let you know you had a good smoke going. The cigar did tend to heat up a bit toward the end but was even through most of the smoke.

Greg House (Poohdvm): Lit easily. One sample did form a run initially but this quickly corrected. The ash was light gray and very strong. Perfect draw. The coal had a slight cone to it. This cigar formed lots of mouth filling smoke. Mild in strength and body but very flavorful. The flavor was leathery smooth and spicy. It also had a mild woody aftertaste. The flavor built on itself during the smoke but I would still consider this a mild smoke. No harshness or bitterness noted. Very enjoyable smoke.

J. R. Mills (miata96): Smoke offered balanced taste, not too harsh or overpowering. Slightly sweet, with no bitterness or burn in the throat (a nice plus.) Slightly spicy towards the end.

Karl T. Kimball (Karl): A small wrapper split near the head made a modest challenge that was easily rewarded by a remarkably easy to draw smoke. Not for a serious after dinner smoke or when heavy character is desired, if it is an easy smoke of consistent easy enjoyment that is desired, this has proved a commendably enjoyable smoke, with firm ash, conical coal, and very mild aroma and taste.

Keith Sprouse (Keith_S): The cigar began as a mild smoke and developed into a flavorful medium-bodied cigar chock full of sweet tobacco flavors, as well as a noticeable espresso overtone and some leather notes. A welcome complexity was present after the first 1/3 of the smoke, adding to my overall positive impression.

Mel Stephens (Cajunrapper): Even burn with a cone shaped coal. Formed a typical gray ash. I had no problems with this smoke. No runs formed. Draw was easy. Nice round aroma and no burn to the throat. Ample richness and a full bodied smoke. Noted generous woody and metallic flavors.

Robert E. Tyler (bigbob): The soft draw and the pleasant taste make the smoking experience a pleasant extension of the foreplay or pre-smoke. This cigar has flavor, but is in no way too strong. This could easily become your favorite cigar! If only I could meet a woman this fine. It had a hint of spice with a very mild herbal quality. I loved every minute I spent with this cigar!

Summary Comments

Gill Shillcutt (gillspc): This cigar is overall a good smoke. Slightly stronger than I prefer but a good compliment to a good port or scotch. The smoker who prefers a stronger, spicier smoke should find this to be an excellent cigar. I enjoyed the overall appearance and flavor of the cigar.

Greg House (Poohdvm): Part of the cigar experience is what you are doing at the time. The RatPack was honored to be selected to do a blind tasting for CW. We all smoked our first sample at a local bar called the Flying Saucer. It was a great night. We were careful not to influence each others opinion. These cigars burned like a champ and were very consistent throughout the smoke. Everything I expect from a cigar was there, flavorful, mouthfilling, and consistent. This cigar kept me smiling throughout the smoke.

J. R. Mills (miata96): Medium strength, very smooth. Nice tasteful smoke. No bad overtones or aftertaste. Perfect after dinner cigar.

Karl T. Kimball (Karl): This smoke is highly recommended for one who desires a light smoke, but a consistent, well rolled, even burning, product with no bitterness, aftertaste, or overwhelming edge.

Keith Sprouse (Keith_S): This cigar was a solid performer: an attractive perfecto with fine construction, a good amount of complexity and flavor, providing a positive smoking experience. While there is nothing extraordinary about this cigar, this is a good smoke that is sure to satisfy.

Mel Stephens (Cajunrapper): Pleasurable smoke from beginning to the end. The shape of the cigar makes for a good conversation piece. Did not want to put the cigar down. This is a very pleasant and relaxing smoke on a humid afternoon in Arkansas. Please send more.

Robert E. Tyler (bigbob): My hat is off to the maker of this cigar. They have made a very fine cigar indeed. I look forward to knowing what cigar I enjoyed so much. There will be many in my humidors in the future. Please come and visit. This was a knocked out, great and wonderful experience.

Scores

Review Results
Final Score: 38.3 out of 50

 

4 Star -- Excellent

This review was done by the Rat Pack, a group of cigar smokers in Arkansas that get together every month to try different cigars. And a great job they did, too!

The Don Tomas Cameroon Collection is a great addition to the growing list of Cameroon wrapped cigars. Featuring well-aged wrappers and filler tobaccos, the Perfecto No. 4 offers a mild to medium body with a mix of leather, coffee and woody flavors and a dash of spice thrown in.

Thanks to the Rat Pack for their great reviews. And thanks to Keith A. Sprouse for filling in as an honorary member.