Few Habanos are those such as the Por Larranaga Petit Corona; a vitola as highly praised as they are slept upon. Overshadowed by the usual suspects, Romeo & Julieta, Cohiba, Montecristo in the post-revolution period, Por Larranaga’s regal history as the oldest continuously operating Cuban cigar brand is very often obscured. Even so, Por Larranaga’s Petit Corona to the surprise of a few, was my first recommendations to those seeking a short light-bodied smoke, or as an overall introduction to the world of Cuban tobacco.
The near ubiquitous praise this unassuming petit corona garners amongst clients and colleagues confirmed my biases towards it, as a quintessential “old-school” Cuban cigar. It’s hard to divorce the iconic status of this sleeper cigar from the historic legacy of the brand, the petit corona was the sole surviving pre-revolution release, and the only long-filler (intermittently) available for long swathes of the brand’s history. Therefore, it may not be a stretch to consider the Petit Corona a flagship vitola, it’s distinct sweet and nutty flavour profile sticking out from the rest.
The short filler Montecarlo (33 X 159mm) and Panetela (36 X 127mm) posed great value light-bodied smokes, while 2014’s fuller bodied Picadores, (48 X 127mm) in my estimation bore little resemblance to the unique PL flavour portfolio. Opening up a box of PL’s Petit Corona housed in it’s 50 count cabinet provided one of the most sensational olfactory experiences, an honour my colleagues and I would fight over at La Casa del Habano Montreal.
Founded by Ignacio Larranaga in 1834, this pioneering brand’s heyday stretched from the late 19th century to the mid 20thcentury, as a predominant export brand whose reputation was vaunted by the era’s celebrities and upper-echelon elites. In addition to its premium reputation, Por Larranaga pioneered the first machine made cigar factory, erupting a worker’s boycott in 1925. By the mid 20th century with a larger semi-automated selection of cigars, locals got more acquainted with Por Larranaga, 81.4% of output reserved for domestic consumption in 1958. By the time of the revolution PL cigars placed 6th in volume of exported Havana cigars, retaining premium status despite a heavy machine-made portfolio. Post-revolution, Habanos S.A capitalized on its machine-made reputation, production being reduced in the 80s -90s, being made most readily available in Canada and the Middle East markets.
Just like in the past Por Larranaga’s reputation eclipses it’s often modest production, surprising many who accidentally stumble across the brand. Habanos S.A feeds the brand’s mystique relegating it to a more peripheral position, reserving it for “ tactical” releases in the shape of LCDH exclusives or Regional special editions, with a limited regular production output.
To claim a “limited” Por Larranaga portfolio here in Canada would be the understatement of the year. Recent plain packaging legislation has wiped out the entire line up consisting of 2 short filler (Montecarlo: 33 X 159mm, Panetela: 36 X 127mm) and 2 long filler vitolas (Petit Corona: 42 X 129mm, Picadores: 48 X 127mm) regularly available in the country as of 2019. Thankfully the announcement of the new Galanes (52 X 120mm) available since April 2021, has given us Por Larranaga lovers some respite from the numerous dreadful events of the past year.
In light of it’s brutal extinguishing this past year, it is time revisit the Por Larranaga Petit Corona, a Cuban House of Cigars favourite not yet reviewed on our site.
The Claro shaded wrapper sits enticingly against the simple old world golden lithography of the Por Larranaga cigar band. Emerging from a 50-count box, the aroma off this 2017 cigar is substantial; sweet and vegetal that curls up into a distinct baking spice and caramel that can’t be described any other term but “Cuba”.
The cold draw delivers sweet and spicy notes in harmonious balance; cinnamon and graham cracker behind a deep baker’s chocolate base note.
First Third: The jet flame unleashes unambiguous notes of nougat and molasses. An excellent construction and consistent pace of smoking facilitate an exceptionally buttery texture to this cigar’s every puff. Por Larranaga’s distinct “caramel sweetness” reveals itself between a delicate balance of nuts and charred molasses.
Second Third: The tail end of each draw, brings a salty mineral element that becomes more obvious mid-way through the petit corona. Here the cigar incrementally transforms, leaving the impression of oak, fennel, and a faint anise in the mouth. It’s predominant molasses and nutty character however remain intact.
Final Third: Entering the last stretch, the smoke inches up to a medium bodied strength, the oak, fennel and greener expressions now becoming more dominant. The astringent elements do not overcome the character established but rather prop up a wider spectrum of bitter-sweet-herbal notes, as the nutty character takes a slight backseat reaching the last 5 cm. The final puffs can be characterised as a balance of faint chai tea, hazelnut, with a bitter earthy finish that never overpowers.
Final Thoughts: Por Larranaga’s Petit Corona provides a delectable smoking experience, its consistency, and little aging requirements has made it a cult favourite. Even with this consistency at the heart of its appeal, each revisit of the petit corona has rewarded me with a new element that I hadn’t previously picked up on. In this case it was the anise spice mid-way that took me by surprise. Needless to say, from its approachable price to its versatility, the news of the petit corona’s discontinuation in Canada was especially difficult to swallow.
Danilo’s background is in music journalism and radio. A long-standing enthusiast of Cuban music and culture, he joined the La Casa del Habano Montreal team in 2017, reconciling a life-long interest in the tradition of tobacco cultivation. An habanos specialist in his own right, his go-to cigars include the Ramon Allones Superiores, the Romeo & Julieta Cazadores and the Bolivar Petit Corona.
