Cigar Review: Por Larrañaga En Cedro #2 TAA 2015
That magical time of the year has finally come where the weather is warm and the Tobacconist Association of America (TAA) exclusive sizes and blends are landing on the shelves of TAA members. Emerson’s Cigars is a member of this prestigious organization and is proud to display these illustrious cigars on our shelves. One such cigar is the Por Larrañaga En Cedro. For those unacquainted with the name, Por Larrañaga has a storied history in the cigar world. Founded in 1834 in Cuba by Ignacio Larrañaga, the cigar company was known for producing a wide assortment of cigars at a variety of price points. The name managed to survive the Cuban Revolution and is now used by both the Cuban state owned Habanos SA as well as the cigar leviathan Altadis. Obviously, the cigar that will be reviewed today is manufactured by Altadis and is tied to its Cuban counterpart only in name.
Pre-light: The Jalapa corojo wrapper of Por Larrañaga En Cedro is slightly toothy, which is characteristic of corojo wrappers, with an even shade. The tone of the wrapper is visually enticing with a nice deep brown tone with a slight clay red hint, again a classic sign of corojo tobacco. The cigar is well constructed and evenly packed. Once I dive into the cold draw of Por Larrañaga En Cedro, I am introduced to the cigar’s cold notes of hay and cedar with a tinge of sweetness. The draw itself is a little resistive, but not overwhelmingly so. Since it is an En Cedro stick, the cigar comes wrapped in a cedar sleeve and sports a very classic themed gold band with the words Por Larrañaga and the year 1834, the year the company was registered in Cuba by Ignacio Larrañaga.
1/3: The 6 X 56 cigar begins extremely smooth with notes of sucrose and cream with a hint of cedar at the end, which I find interesting considering the cigar is a Nicaraguan puro, a tobacco known for its rustic and robust notes. As the ash continues to grow into the first third, the profile continues to be very delicate, with notes of semi-sweet sucrose, hay and cedar. In addition to the profile, Por Larrañaga En Cedro has a remarkably clean finish leaving no lingering notes on the palate. By the end of the first third, the cigar also introduces a slight leather note noticeable on the palate and retrohale.
2/3: By the time the cigar burns into the second third, the profile remains relatively the same with notes of cedar, leather and hay being at the forefront of the cigar’s profile. Towards the end of the second third, I notice the introduction of a bitter sweet earthy note joining the cigar’s profile on the palate and retohale. The classic Nicaraguan note is subtle, but manages to greatly invigorate the otherwise anodyne profile.
3/3: Por Larrañaga En Cedro ends by continuing to build on the delicate notes of cream and cedar with a hint of earth. By the time the cigar reaches the last third, the experience is pleasant and is one that could easily be enjoyed by mild bodied smokers in the afternoon; and by medium/full bodied smokers in the morning with a cup of coffee. Despite being made using only Nicaraguan tobacco, the cigar notes a surprising light and subtle. Overall, the cigar holds true to its mild bodied roots while the slightly beefy 56 ring gauge is nod to the modern cigar aficionado who enjoys larger cigars. You can find Por Larrañaga En Cedro in 16 count boxes at all five of our Hampton Roads locations as well as online at emersonscigars.com.
