Por Larranaga Small Robusto Exclusivo Italia

Por Larranaga Small Robusto Exclusivo Italia
Por Larranaga Small Robusto Exclusivo Italia
Por Larranaga Small Robusto Exclusivo Italia

Recently, I went on a trip to the Venice area in Italy and as a cigar lover, I was really looking forward to picking up some Italian regional edition cigars. I was able to try the Por Larranaga Small Robusto that was supposed to be a 2012 release but didn’t end up on the shelves until March 2013. Here are some technical information about it: 50mm ring gauge x 102mm length, it is a Petit Robusto vitola, it was produced in 2000 numbered slide lid cabs and it wears a newer band that is very similar to the 2007 Edición Regional Reino Unido

The setting where a cigar is enjoyed is always an important part of the ritual and this one had a pretty good backdrop. I was on the terrasse of the apartement I rented with a beautiful sun, a fresh Lavazza espresso from the stove top and most of all, I was on vacations.

Let’s start shall we?

It well built, full foot, feels robust (pun intended) when I pinch it and it has a sweet and tangy aroma at cold.

Por Larranaga Small Robusto Exclusivo Italia
Por Larranaga Small Robusto Exclusivo Italia

1st half

This is starting out nicely with a good amount of smoke that is produced from a perfect draw. It has a light body but it is quite flavorful. It is sweet with notes of vanilla and a back bone of bread. There are light spicy notes on the nose and it has a short finish. The cigar burn seems to need supervision. This is a good start to this cigar, I usually stay away from this vitola but I must say that this cigar is quite nice for a morning smoke.

2nd half

The second half of this is much better than the first half. It has a new floral taste to it and still had a sweet tasting smoke but with notes of honey instead of vanilla. The floral flavors and the sweet honey are skilfully intertwined together. The blender did a great job with the profile of this cigar in my opinion. The bottom of the second half is much more potent in nicotine and is gaining in body also.

This cigar is quite young but it is showing me some great signs of upcoming maturity. If the second half could become the entire cigar, which I think it will in due time, this cigar can become a special or change of pace morning cigar. It is worth a try if you are a lover of the lighter cigars.

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This is a 7/10 for me.

On a side note:

When travelling abroad finding a good and reliable cigar shop can be a hard thing to do. This is especially true in Venice, Italy. There are many many Tabacchis( tobacco product/corner store) but few keep cigars and out of those few, very little carry special items. I have to mention one of them, Tabacchi RIV.85 ‘The House of cigars’ on Cannaregio 1035. Aldo, the owner, is a lover of Cuban cigars (Partagas D4/D5) and someone that is trying to change this lack of good cigars in Venice. After I bought all his stock of the Por Larrañaga Small Robusto, he tried the impossible to find me some more Regionals before I left. When in Venice, stop by, talk with him, stock up and tell him Simon from Montreal says Hi!

Aldo's tabaccheria in Venice
Aldo’s tabaccheria in Venice
Aldo's tabaccheria in Venice
Aldo’s tabaccheria in Venice

 

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2 Comments

  1. Hola socio Simon,
    congratulations to your review !
    Having smoked this cigar 2 days ago in Switzerland, I can only agree with you.
    Best regards from Germany
    Nino

    1. Socio! Glad you got a chance to smoke these. We’ll be able to review some together in less than 2 months!

      Nos vemos pronto loco.

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