Por Larrañaga Panatela Review

[foolwithnohair]

"There’s peace in a Larrañaga, there’s calm in a Henry Clay." - Kipling

With production starting in 1834, Por Larrañaga is supposedly the oldest cigar brand on the market today. While years ago, Por Larrañaga was a popular premium cigar, today only two mild narrow-guage cigars are readily available (in Canada): the Panatella and the Montecarlo.

Appearance/Construction
This is a small cigar - the Veguerito vitola is 127mm (5") x 37 ring guage (Habanos' web site says 36 ring, but everyone else says 37). It is a short-filler cigar (TC, tripa corta). While machine-made in the past, it is currently handmade. Unlike other inexpensive Cuban's, the Por Larrañaga uses tobacco from Vuelta Abajo (Pinar del Rio) - arguably the best tobacco-growing area in the world.

These cigars came in a dress box (spanish cedar covered by paper) of 25 from the official Canadian importer. As with all Cuban dress-box cigars, the Panatella's had a mild box press. Unlike other dress boxes, there was no cedar sheet between the two rows, only a strip of waxed paper.

Colour of the cigars was perfectly matched, all the bands at the same height, triple-caps in place, tobacco evenly and densely packed.

Cigars were stored at 71%/72% RH and 63-65 degrees.

Nose/tongue/cold draw
A sweet butter/butterscotch/taffy taste and scent.

Burn/Aroma
Burn was even, exhibiting the typical Cuban grey ash. Aroma was subtle, and again pleasant and mild. As the cigar is short-filler, long ashes were not present. Draw was perfect.

Flavour/Strength
The Panatella is one of the mildest Cubans available today (mildness in terms of taste, not nicotene content - there is nicotene present!). This is also relative - mild by Cuban standards is stronger than a mild Dominican. The taste is not in-your-face complex, nor does it change a lot through the cigar, except for the last inch.

The predominate flavour is caramel (brown sugar/butter). Like most narrow-guage cigars, the smoke must be sipped. Taking a big draw off the Por Larrañaga results in a mildly unpleasant burnt sugar taste that lingers for an inch or so. If you're the kind of smoker who typically gets a cone-shaped coal in their cigars, then this vitola is not for you.

Besides the caramel, some vanilla and "leather" is present. While not exactly like Fuente leather taste, it is similar, but more subtle, pleasant, and refined in this smoke. Finally, the smell and taste of "good Cuban tobacco" is evident, moreso towards the nub.

Finish
This is not a cigar with a strong finish. Pleasant bread'n'butter cookie flavour left in the mouth.

General Comments
At an MSRP of just over $2/stick (plus taxes), this is probably the least-expensive export-grade cigar from the prime tobacco growing region of Cuba. Unlike most Cubans, it needs almost no aging to be enjoyable - 9 or 10 months from the box date seems to be the consensus. These cigars have an "EMA NOV 07" code (smoked Sep0 and have no harshness or "young cigar taste" (acidic) at all.

This is the best under-$3 MSRP cigar that I've ever had, and if I had to choose one inexpensive cigar to smoke, this would be my first choice. Yes, it is that good a stick. It isn't for everyone - if you're like medium- and full-bodied blends full of complexity and flavour changes, then you'll probably find the cigar a bit boring. It isn't an after-dinner bruiser, but can be smoked any time during the day - slowly.

There is peace in a Larrañaga .

MRN tasting notes on the Panatella: "Seems to me as the mildest of all Por Larrañaga cigars. Very pleasant refreshing taste."

[SmoknTaz]

Very nice info, thanks Craig. I love the Panatela's too!

[matt3-cl]

They are a great yard gar!

[DBCcigar]

Thanks for the review. I've had a Por Larrañaga, just not that size, and it was great.... I've been wanting the try the panatela.

[smokinj]

I've had a few of these. Great review Craig and thanks for sharing. May have to pick up a box of these