Today I'm reviewing a familiar cigar in a different size, the Regius Red Label, but this time I'm reviewing the Fat Perfecto size. I'm a fan of Regius, and especially their fat perfecto size, which is similar to the Drew Estate Flying Pig. After that, all comparisons are off between the Regius and Drew Estate products. This cigar measures 5 3/4"x54x60x54, the way perfectos measure the first gauge is the foot of the cigar the second gauge is the middle of the cigar and the last gauge is the head of the cigar. So this cigar is a 54 ring gauge at both ends and balloons to a 60 for much of the middle of the cigar. This cigar has the regular Regius band, as well as a secondary band that reads "Exclusivo USA." The secondary band is similar is design and font to Cuban brands that release "Exclusivo" lines for a certain market.
This cigar is a Nicaraguan Puro wrapped in a Jalapa wrapper. The Jalapa wrapper gives this cigar a nice leathery quality to it, without being too strong. Many Nicaraguan Puros I've smoked tend to be on the much fuller side, and while this is no doubt a full bodied cigar, it doesn't have an overwhelming strength to it. This cigar is a 4/5 on our strength ranking scale, but I don't think that tells the full story. Where this cigar is most different than the lancero is in the draw. The Lancero has a concentrated flavor and a tighter draw, while the Fat Perfecto billows with smoke from the first draw. That's what I enjoy the most from large ring perfectos, the draw is wide open, but the taper at the end reins it in and keeps it from being too much. Cigars this size tend to burn unevenly, but I notice with this cigar, as well as the entire "Exclusivo USA" line, that if you let it burn and don't smoke it too fast it will correct itself into an even burn line. The two prominent notes I get from this cigar are leather and spice, it definitely opens with a pleasant leather feeling on the palate and that fades into a satisfying spiciness and peppery quality. As soon as I taste the spicy notes the finish gets way longer too, Jalapa wrappers tend to have a long finish to them in my experience. The leather notes come and go throughout the cigar, and a nutty sweetness comes through at times, especially in the middle of this smoke. When this cigar nears the end the leather note comes back, and relieves you from the pepper, which comes through still in the finish.
This isn't the most complex cigar on the market, but I like the flavors coming and going, it definitely isn't one dimensional. Between the Fat Perfecto and Lancero I'm split as to which one I prefer, but I think I give the edge to the Fat Perfecto due to the draw. These Fat Perfecto's are just too much fun to smoke, and they're well constructed to boot. Overall I recommend this cigar to anybody who enjoys smoking odd sized cigars, anybody who is a fan of Nicaraguan cigars, or anybody who is tired of earth toned and creamy cigars. Variety is the spice of life, and this cigar has plenty of spice! Regius is one of my favorite brands and I'm sure one of their offerings is right for you.
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