Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure Review
The Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure is thick, built deliberately and filled with aged Cuban-seed tobacco that refuses to apologise for its presence. Medium-full muscle without the brutality. This Epicure behaves like a cigar with something to prove, which it does for seventy minutes.
In short
A polished powerhouse that balances sweet spice and earth without tipping into aggression. Black pepper, brown sugar, cedar, chocolate, coffee and a surprising citrus brightness layer through thick, creamy smoke. Seventy minutes of copious production. 87/100. Best for smokers who want medium-full complexity with refinement rather than raw punch.
Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure size, specs & box options
Dimensions & vitola
The Epicure measures 6 inches by 56 ring gauge, a thick format that delivers substantial smoke volume and extended complexity without becoming cumbersome.
Construction
Built on aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan tobaccos wrapped in a sun-grown leaf, the construction is deliberate and tight, producing copious creamy smoke with minimal correction required.
Pack sizes & price
Available in boxes of 24 cigars at $208, positioning this Epicure as a premium smoke with anniversary-grade tobacco and a finish that justifies the spend.
What does the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure taste like?
Creamy black pepper and nuts open with brown sugar, shifting to cedar, chocolate, coffee, leather and an unexpected ribbon of bright citrus.
Creamy Pepper and Sugar
The light brings a creamy torrent of black pepper and roasted nuts, brown sugar sweetening the initial wave. Cedar cuts through quickly, grounding the sweetness with earthy backbone. Nutmeg flickers at the edges. The smoke rolls thick and creamy from the first draw, coating the palate in a polished blend of spice and richness. No harshness. Just a sweet, measured opening that hints at the depth beneath without overwhelming.
Chocolate, Earth, and Citrus Lift
Rich earth takes the lead now, pairing with sweet chocolate and a yeasty breadiness that adds weight. Rosewood threads through, aromatic and slightly perfumed. Then a bright yuzu-like citrus note arrives, unexpected and lifting the profile out of purely dark territory. Leather begins to emerge, soft but present. The pepper recedes but never vanishes. Smoke stays copious, creamy throughout, balancing sweet and spice without tipping into raw territory.
Coffee, Leather, Sweet Spice
Coffee dominates the final third, dark and lingering, joined by leather that gains intensity without bitterness. A ribbon of sweet spice weaves through, echoing the brown sugar from the opening but now deeper, more caramelized. Cedar and earth remain in the background, grounding the finish. The creaminess persists even as strength builds. Polished to the end. No harshness, no tar. Just a controlled burn that holds flavour right down to the nub.
The scorecard — how the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure rates
Scored across 5 dimensions from a full hands-on burn.
Is the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure the best in its class?
Creamy, Polished Complexity
The Epicure shifts through black pepper, nuts, brown sugar, cedar, chocolate, citrus, coffee and leather without a single rough transition. Smoke stays thick and creamy for the full seventy minutes.
Stays Safely On Script
Every note arrives on cue, measured and composed. There's little wildness or surprise here.
Refined Nicaraguan Fans
Built for smokers who value balance and complexity over brute strength. If you appreciate a medium-full Nicaraguan puro that delivers depth without harshness, this Epicure fits.
How the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure compares
The 20th Anniversary Sun Grown sits among Perdomo's best work, but how does it measure up against their milder Champagne line and Oliva's powerhouse Serie V?
| Cigar | Size | Strength | Per box | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown EpicureThis review | Epicure | Medium-Full | $208 | Coffee, Chocolate, Cedar, Black pepper, Pepper, Brown sugar |
| Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne Connecticut RobustoRead review → | 5 x 54 | Light-Medium | — | The milder Perdomo sibling. A creamy Connecticut; the 20th Sun Grown is fuller and sweeter with pepper, cocoa and leather. Sibling |
| Oliva Serie V Double ToroRead review → | 6 x 60 | Full | — | A fuller same-tier Nica. More raw coffee-and-earth power; the Perdomo is sweeter and more polished. Same tier |
| AJ Fernandez New World Decenio ToroRead review → | 6.5 x 54 | Full | — | A similarly-priced full Nica. Earthier and rougher; the Perdomo is sweeter, creamier and more refined. Alternative |
Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure vs Perdomo 10th Anniversary Champagne Connecticut Robusto
The Sun Grown hits harder. Where the Champagne Connecticut floats along with cream and subtle grass, this Epicure brings leather, cocoa, and pepper to the fight. Construction's equally solid, but the Sun Grown's got muscle the Champagne doesn't pretend to have.
Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure vs Oliva Serie V Double Toro
The Oliva Serie V hammers you with full-bodied strength and espresso intensity the Perdomo doesn't chase. This Sun Grown stays medium-full, more balanced, sweeter on the finish. Serie V's for nicotine hounds; the Perdomo's for those who want complexity without the knockout.
The pick: Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure if you want refinement with punch; Oliva Serie V if you crave raw power.
What to drink with the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure
Match this Sun Grown's leather and cocoa with bold partners that won't get trampled.
Cuban Espresso
The espresso's bitterness cuts through the cigar's sweetness while amplifying the cocoa. Short, strong, gone before the second third. No milk, no sugar.
Bourbon (Four Roses Single Barrel)
Caramel and spice from the bourbon echo the Sun Grown's sweetness and pepper. The 100 proof stands up without drowning the tobacco's leather notes. Perfect marriage.
Ginger Beer (Fever-Tree)
The ginger's bite matches the cigar's pepper kick. Carbonation scrubs your palate between draws. Sweetness doesn't clash, just refreshes. Non-alcoholic win.
Best occasions for the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure
This Epicure fits moments where you've got time and want something worth remembering.
Post-Dinner Reflection
After a heavy steak or barbecue, this cigar extends the satisfaction without overwhelming an already-full stomach. The medium-full body complements rather than competes. Light it, sink into a chair, let the evening slow down.
Celebration Smoke
Anniversary, promotion, big win—this stick's got the pedigree and presence for marking real achievements. The Sun Grown wrapper looks the part, smokes even better. Shares well if you're gifting, but you'll want one for yourself.
Long Weekend Afternoon
Saturday afternoon, no rush, good weather. The Epicure's got the length and complexity to occupy an hour-plus without demanding all your attention. Pairs with conversation or solitude equally well. Just make time for it.
The bottom line on the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure
I'm standing outside the shop, late afternoon, watching the Epicure send up ropes of cream-thick smoke. Perdomo loaded this stick with aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan leaf under a sun-grown wrapper, and it shows.
My gripe? The complexity can feel a bit rehearsed.
Halfway through, the yuzu-like citrus note lifts the whole profile out of predictable territory. That's the moment the Epicure earns its keep.
Hand-reviewed and scored from a full burn — not AI-generated, not sponsored.
Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure FAQ
Is this the best Perdomo cigar?
It's in the conversation. The 20th Anniversary Sun Grown delivers consistent complexity and build quality that justify the price. Some prefer the Champagne's mildness or the Lot 23's fuller punch, but this Epicure balances strength and flavour better than most in the lineup.
Which cigar is better, Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown vs Perdomo 10th Anniversary?
The 20th Anniversary Sun Grown wins for complexity and body. The 10th Anniversary Champagne's milder, creamier, easier for beginners. If you want leather, cocoa, and pepper, take the Sun Grown. If you want smooth and light, grab the Champagne. Different goals entirely.
Is this the best cigar for a long evening paired with whiskey or bourbon?
It's absolutely built for that. The Epicure's medium-full body won't fatigue you over 90 minutes, and the cocoa-leather profile loves bourbon's caramel notes. Not too strong, not too mild. You could pick heavier sticks, but you'd regret it by the final third.
How long does the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Sun Grown Epicure take to smoke?
Plan for 75 to 90 minutes if you're not rushing it. The 6x54 vitola's got volume, and the construction's tight enough to slow your pace. Don't shortchange it. This isn't a quick smoke, and treating it like one wastes what you paid for.
Does this cigar need aging or can I smoke it right away?
You can light it today without issue. Perdomo ages their tobacco before rolling, so it's ready out of the box. That said, six months in your humidor will smooth any rough edges and marry the flavours tighter. Your call, both work fine.
James Peasley is the General Manager at Online Cigars, with a passion for fine cigars that goes back to 2010. He spent a decade at C.Gars Ltd in the UK as Marketing General Manager and cigar reviewer, hosting tasting events along the way, and trained with the prestigious Hunters & Frankau - the UKs Cuban cigar importers. A devoted fan of Cuban cigars, James has a particular soft spot for Trinidad and Cohiba, especially the Trinidad Topes and Cohiba Siglo II. He brings that depth of experience and genuine enthusiasm to every review.
