As part of our ongoing journey through selected cigars from PDR Cigars, it’s time to take another step. I’ve already shared the story of the factory at the start of this series – and I kicked things off with a bang, reviewing the limited-edition release created to celebrate PDR’s 18th anniversary.
Today, we’re moving into slightly different territory – with a new blend, a different format, and a completely fresh arrangement. This time, the mood is softer, the profile lighter.. and, dare I say, just a touch musical.
PDR El Trovador Rosado Corona – that’s the piece I had the pleasure of playing one evening. It’s not a cigar you can sum up in just one word, but I’ll do my best to capture its character in this short review of a 2025 newcomer to the Polish market.
El Trovador
The Troubadour. That’s the name gracing one of PDR’s award-winning series – and it’s no coincidence. It’s yet another nod from Abe Flores to one of his other great passions: music. On the richly decorated band, we see an elegant troubadour with his instrument, serenading a lady – perhaps at a picnic, or maybe on a moonlit date under the stars. You could easily call him a romantic. Is he singing “Only You” or “The Way You Look Tonight”? We’ll never know. But as with all cigars, the interpretation is entirely up to the smoker.
As Mateusz and I often say on our podcast – a cigar is a date. And it seems Abe Flores understands this perfectly, showing on the band not just aesthetics, but also emotion and a story.
The blend itself has earned praise in multiple rankings – something I was blissfully unaware of while smoking. That meant my impressions were entirely my own. What really caught my attention, though, was the vitola. I’ve often lamented the lack of Corona sizes among “new world” cigars. It’s a shame – they may be smaller than a Robusto, but they often deliver more intensity and character. So, when I received this cigar from Tomasz Żołądkiewicz, my curiosity was piqued. Both the Wide Churchill I reviewed earlier and the Corona are personal favorites. And this Corona? It rests in the hand with elegance and grace.
Worth noting – every PDR line is available in this format. You could say Flores knows what’s good.. and delivers a generous dose of Coronas.
But vitola is just the beginning. The gentleman on the band is clearly trying to win her over, and she seems intrigued.. But does the flavor seduce in the same way? Let’s find out.
PDR El Trovador Rosado Corona
The spec sheet for this cigar promises a composition that’s nothing short of fascinating. There’s a lot going on here – starting with an Ecuadorian Rosado wrapper, followed by a double helping of Nicaragua in the binder, including the beloved Corojo, which almost instinctively puts a smile on my face. And at the heart of this piece: two Nicaraguan Ligeros and one and a half parts Viso – all beautifully balanced, with the potential for a true symphony of flavor. No surprise my hand went straight for the lighter. And with nothing but good memories tied to cigars bearing the name “Rosado,” plus Corojo being a personal favorite, my expectations were high.
It’s worth mentioning the bandwork again. Every PDR line has its own distinctive, well-crafted design – here featuring the troubadour serenading his lady. Add to that the brand’s signature foot band and you’ve got a look that’s unmistakable and impossible to ignore. The branding is polished, consistent, and instantly recognizable. PDR knows the magic is in the details.
PDR El Trovador Rosado comes in five sizes:
- Petit Belicoso (50 x 4.5)
- Corona (44 x 5)
- Robusto (52 x 5)
- Corona Gorda (46 x 6)
- Gran Toro (54 x 6)
As a true romantic for the vitola, my heart was set on the Corona from the start. So, let’s skip the small talk and dive into what this musical ballad with a touch of fire had in store.
Cut! Action!
A quick inspection of the cigar once again confirmed the craftsmanship coming out of the PDR factory. The leaves were rolled evenly and firmly, with no soft spots or surprises under the fingers – a construction that inspires confidence right from the start.
The moment I slid it out of the cellophane, I was greeted by a gentle sweetness. Bringing the wrapper closer to my nose, a familiar, slightly nose-tingling pepper hit me – the complete opposite of the anniversary Maduro I reviewed last time. And honestly? I welcomed it. It’s been a while since I’ve had such an opening, and it could only mean one thing – an intriguing, full-flavored journey ahead. In the background, there was also a hint of leather. Coincidence? Or perhaps a signature note that ties together Abe Flores’ blends? I’m keeping that in mind as a possible clue.
The draw – as expected from a well-made Corona – was flawless. I went for a classic straight cut, no fancy tricks. I toasted the foot to a glowing red, settled comfortably into my chair, and smiled as this little troubadour began to play its opening notes.
The Thirds
The artist began his concert. The first third brought no big surprises – pepper and leather. But in my notes, I wrote one specific phrase: “noble leather.” And there was truth to it – the flavor was well-balanced, restrained, yet full of character. A few puffs later, roasted coffee made an appearance. A surprise? A pleasant one. I hadn’t expected that note, especially after such a bold opening. Meanwhile, the cigar was producing thick, voluminous clouds of smoke – both aromatic and visually satisfying. A great start. I was eager for more.
After nearly half an hour, it was time for the second movement. A gentle sweetness entered the stage – subtle, more suggested than fully present, but still noticeable. The smoke became creamy, velvety – plentiful, yet carrying an intriguing story. The kind that makes you relax and even tap your foot in rhythm. Sadly, halfway through, wood joined the band – heavy, dominant, almost brutal. It smothered all previous flavors like a metal curtain. The romantic concert shifted into something closer to an industrial performance. The lady on the picnic blanket twitched, clearly considering an escape. I convinced her to stay a little longer.
The final third.. well, it began slowly. The cigar noticeably lost its pace. And while familiar leather returned at first, the concert ultimately turned into a steady, intense monologue. Monotonous, a bit tired, and lacking inspiration. So much so that I got up and grabbed a few squares of chocolate from the kitchen – just to break up the repetition. Rosado? Corojo? They had faded away somewhere. All that remained was dense smoke and recurring, slightly abrasive notes. I smoked it down to the nub – right to singeing my fingers – not out of sheer delight, but in the hope it might encore with those opening melodies. It didn’t.
Final thoughts on PDR El Trovador Rosado Corona
I honestly don’t know what happened. Really. I’m not sure at what point this gallant troubadour had his ear stepped on by an elephant, because the opening and the midsection were excellent. And then.. the finale sanded down my taste buds so much that, without a rescue mission involving chocolate, I’m not sure I would have made it through. Which is a shame – it truly started with promise.
That said, I’ll give this line another chance. The Maduro Robusto I smoked earlier was absolutely delicious – let’s count that as part of this review. Because so far, apart from the Maduro, each subsequent PDR has missed my personal sweet spot. But that’s just me. I’ll leave it to you, dear reader – perhaps you’ll be the one to fall for this romantic-meets-industrial ballad.
Points for the first one and a half thirds. That’s it. The performance lasted almost two hours – exactly what you’d expect from the Corona vitola.
Very soon, the third and final review in this PDR mini-series. A cigar I have high hopes for. But that.. is another story.
This cigar for review was kindly provided by Tomasz Żołądkiewicz.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Mateusz Krzywiecki called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Piotr Siwiński, @mycigarway, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
