2007

These Petit Coronas are hyped as the best small cigar from Cuba. For years I have been trying to see the “fame” in these Por Larrañaga. After smoking the equivalent of a box of these “under the radar” cigars, I have yet to taste what the hype is all about.

There is grass on the draw, toast on the tongue, oak in the aftertaste and cedar in the scent. This is a light bodied cigar with hints of wet grass, pepper and burnt notes in moderations. Lovers and Aficionados of Por Larrañaga, don’t read on… Because this might be the worst Petit Corona I have ever tasted. I rate it 83 from a box dated 05/2007.

A lovely roasted start in both taste and scent. Alot of coffee/espresso notes with a blend of vanilla and pepper in this Petit Palma vitola.

Vanilla on the draw, coffee/pepper on the tongue, espresso/fruit in the aftertaste and espresso in the scent. An overall full bodied espresso smoke with a lovely sweet roasted nuance. Perfect in the company of friends after an outdoor barbecue grilling. I rate it 91 from a box dated 10/2007.

This is my last stick from a box of 10. It has been resting in my humidor for over a year at 75% humidity, just the way I like it. The wrapper is flawless, oily and gorges dark, almost black, and acording to Habanos SA, over five years old (hence the name Maduro 5), which makes this a seven year old smoke.

I truely love this cigar. This is an explosion of sweet flavors. A masterpeice in construction and chocolate flavor. This cigar peaks with a nice bottle of Demi-sec champagne, Veuve Clicquot. On the draw is a bounch of sweet chocolate, a bit pepper on the tongue and licorice/espresso in the aftertaste. There is a lovely salty/licorice taste on the lips. The room is filling op with a sweet nutty dark aroma, pleasuring the nose. There is no sour notes like coffee or citrus. The burn is a bit unstable and uneven, which I in this rare case find charming. A real desert, just amazing. I rate this 95 from a box dated 10/2007.

This La Punta from 03/2007, starts off with a punch of pepper that turns into a creamy coffee taste. As the smoke opens up it there is some fruit in the draw with a heavy liquor in the aftertaste. The smoke is very grassy, almost grape on the sour scale, but again blended with a lovely creamy coffee taste. A bit woody, a bit earthy, but mainly vegetal. I rate it 88.