Premium Cigar Review - Casa de Suenos El Sonador Salomon

A version of this premium cigar review first appeared in the Premium Cigar Association's PCA Magazine Volume 4 2024 edition. Since this is a trade journal, we decided to share the review here. Gary sat and smoked the Casa de Suenos El Sonador Salomon outside The Hangout, a sports bar in Youngsville, LA, while drinking Guiness.

The band is dark and bold – primarily black and copper colored with tobacco field images in white/grey. The band also has a small circle with the colors of the Dominican Republic, where the cigar is made. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is a dark golden brown and veiny. The look is less rustic than muscular – like a weightlifter’s arms. There is a subtle scent of newspaper and freshly plowed field – neither strong nor pungent.

The Salomon shape is perfect for a straight cut, but on an angle. The cigar cuts easily and the dry draw provides an unexpected hint of caramel. I toast the cigar, and the caramel immediately changes to a slight nuttiness. The cigar lights easily and provides the aroma of a milder cigar – pleasant and not overpowering.

This premium cigar is more full than medium bodied. Each puff provides a mouthful of creamy, smokey flavor. The complexity of the Dominican fillers with San Vicente binder comes through. The burn is nice and slow, taking 10 minutes to get past the tip. The ash is beautiful. It also looks strong and sturdy.

Going into the middle of the second third, the flavor is starting to change, but the complexity still comes through. If this premium cigar was a steak dinner, the meatiness of the steak has now taken center stage. The burn is still slow and deliberate with little effort needed on the draw and the ash holding strong. Halfway in, the long ash seems to want free, so I tap the cigar with my finger. As the ash falls into the ashtray, it does not come apart.

As we enter the final third, a bit of black pepper comes in and the body increases. The cigar, though, does not become harsh. The four-leaf filler stays complex but not overpowering. This final third provides the sense of well blended spices. I don’t want the session to end, but I am about to burn my lips. Even this large premium cigar leaves me wanting more of El Soñador.

This is a wonderful premium cigar and a great way to pass a lazy afternoon. It isn’t, though, for the novice. The smoke time and body are designed for the more experienced cigar enthusiast. The Casa de Suenos El Sonador Salomon pairs very well with Guiness, but any stout beer would work. I also suggest this premium cigar with your favorite cigar bourbon. Finally, both the cigar and ash have a strong, heavy, sturdy look from start to finish.