Balmoral is a brand owned by Royal Agio Cigars. They have been gradually expanding their U.S. presence over the last few years. In 2018 they announced a new line of collaborations under the name Serie Signaturas, and the first cigar would be called Dueto. It is a collaboration with none other than Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. and is made at his factory in the Dominican Republic.
In addition to the Ovación reviewed here, Dueto is also available in a 5 x 50 Robusto, 6 x 50 Gran Toro, 6 x 60 Gordo and a 7 x 49 Churchill.
Balmoral Serie Signaturas Ovación
MSRP: $10.25
Size: 5.5 x 50
Origin: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. (Dominican Republic)
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaragua (Esteli)
Filler: Nicaragua and Brazil (Mata Norte)
Prologue
Garret
Hello lovely… what have we here? I’m new to Balmoral and as someone who truly enjoys the artwork that is both the band(s) and the cigar itself, this sexy thang has a brother thirsty. You oily dirty thing you. You’re naughty. I’m a Maryanne kinda of guy, but this is a Ginger kinda encounter… I’m not mad.
Matt
There’s just no other way to say it, this is a beautiful cigar. The wrapper is near perfect with a fantastic medium brown wrapper. It has a great sheen of oil and completely even color. It has a very unique shape, with a curved head and foot. It smells of cedar and leather, while the cold draw is clean and has notes of barnyard and a little sweet note.
Act I
Garret
The notes of cinnamon are all up in my face and I’m digging it. I was expecting something different, but it matches Gingers outfit, so that works out. Slight spice from that Jalapa wrapper coming through at the finish.
Matt
The cigar is very mellow at the beginning. The aroma is nutty and sweet, with some very mild spice notes on the finish. I get mild coffee, cream, and some baking spices as the head of the cigar passes the curve. The retrohale is very smooth, with gentle notes of cinnamon sweetness, with a little spice.
Act II
Garret
The flavors haven’t changed much and that’s not a bad thing. Ginger is treating me well with her cinnamon and spicy ways. The burn is razor sharp, and the draw has the right amount of resistance for me.
Matt
When I get around the halfway point, the flavors from earlier move more to the finish of each puff. Some notes that remind me of coffee and cinnamon rolls. I know, it’s crazy, but that is what I am getting. The retrohale stays consistent, with just a slight note of leather added in.
Act III
Garret
Top to bottom was a cinnamon treat with a mild spice kicker. I had to put this down so I didn’t start rubbing it on my face. The nubbed Ginger kept on burning and couldn’t put it down until it burnt my fingers.
Matt
The end of the cigar is still mellow, but has a core of richness. The flavor profile is like pecan pie with a peppery finish. I also have some aromas of dark cocoa and a hint of earthiness. The retrohale is really beautiful at the end. Like butterscotch with pepper notes on the finish.
Epilogue
Garret
Many times you get overly excited about the look of the cigar, only to be disappointed at the performance or flavors. This is not that. At all. Foot to finger burning nub I was really digging the Duetto. I’ll be singing more Duetto’s with Ginger and I encourage you to do the same.
Matt
In all honesty, I was excited the moment this cigar was announced last year. Fortunately, the reality of the cigar lived up to the anticipation that I had. After smoking a couple, I immediately bought two boxes for my personal collection. It is not the most complex cigar in the world, and it is also not the boldest. That being said, it is a wonderful example of a medium-minus cigar with clean and discernable flavors that play very nicely together. Also, every single one I have smoked had burned pretty much perfectly.
Balmoral Serie Signaturas Dueto Ovación – How Bout That Cigar?
Garret-Rating: How Bout a Box?
Matt-Rating: How Bout a Box?
Garret-Score: 92
Matt-Score: 94
Overall Score: 93
PAD: +1.0 (What is PAD?)
Garret-Flavor Summary: Cinnamon, Spice
Matt-Flavor Summary: Roasted Nuts, Baking Spice, Cream, Pepper
Strength Assessment: Mild-Medium
Source: Cigars for this review were purchased by HBT Media LLC