Popular Post CigSid Posted September 24, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted September 24, 2015 This Por Larranaga Lonsdales is a German regional from 2006. I had one of these years ago ROTT, it was ok, but slightly bland and one dimensional, so I threw them into the back depths of my aging cabinet and forgot about them… that is, until last week… 5 days in the dry box at 61% humidity. Cold draw – Sweet hay, a bit of honey, and rich tobacco. Initial lighting (first few puffs) Creamy, smooth and sweet. On my fourth puff, I thought to myself, this is something very special… Well into the first third and this is when I started taking pictures, thinking that this might make a good review... First third, lots of flavorful smoke. Molasses, honey, nuts and a bit of spice... For a thinner gauged cigar, you would expect a tighter draw, as well as less smoke in general… Not the case with these Lonsdales, crazy good at this point, still trying to wrap my mind around it. This is when I was first thinking that if this stays the same as it is now, it is clearly a 100 point cigar. Nearing the end of the first third and I am getting cinnamon, and delicious notes of caramel and marshmallows, with an amazing creamy finish. Second third, and it's getting better... Lots of sweetness in the form of caramel, nuts and spicy cinnamon. Vanilla and honey on the retrohale. Just a bit of the cap is coming off, but doesn't bother me at all... Well onto the second third, and have only a shed an ash twice... Amazing talent went into the creation of this cigar. Now I know where I have tasted these favors before... it was the Por Larranaga Magnificos, which was an incredible cigar because of the size, the flavor and the tremendous amount of smoke it produced, but this one is even better... The honey just coats your tongue, and you can taste it long after each puff, increasing in intensity and longevity... As many puffs that I am taking, trying to get as much of this crazy good taste as I can, thinking that it can't get any better than this, you would think that it would get hot and bitter, but it keeps on delivering, staying cool, and blowing me away with its amazing favors. At this point, I want to cut and purge... And you might think that's what I do when the cigar goes out, right? Absolutely, but it also will enhance the flavors and clean the resin off the end of the cigar, and allow you to experience the most your cigar can offer: First you cut the cap, just a bit more than your initial cut, maybe 1/16 of an inch, just enough to remove the area where the oils have collected, then you gently blow into the cigar. Pure honey at this point, molasses and a bit of coffee in the background, and on the retrohale there it was, that elusive "nutmeg"... And lots of it.. Final third, the caramel is back, with cinnamon in the background... you have to pause after each puff because the flavors are unfolding and increasing in intensity, and morphing into other favors long after you blow the smoke out... Wow... This is really good... As I lick my lips, I can taste black pepper, honey and a bit of salt, and it makes me think... could this be the one that really was rolled on the thighs.... The next puff yanks me out of my hypnotic state, going into full throttle, the strength is full, the sweetness is alternating between honey, sweet grass and marshmallows... Just a bit of earth and black pepper on the tongue balances it out perfectly, almost as if it is cleaning the palate preparing you for the next sweet puff... I reach for my trusty nubbing tool and think, I'm going to smoke as much of this as I can. The last inch lasted 15 minutes... as I would draw in a large amount of smoke, I would slowly release it, the favors would last forever... and they would change with every few seconds... Then it was done... Final thoughts: This cigar took about 110 minutes to smoke. (And literally 15 minutes just for the last inch) I sat there for almost 30 minutes after I finished, without a drop of water, running my tongue around my mouth, licking my lips, and tasting salt, a spicy tingle, and honey and started thinking about those thighs again... I consider myself a cigar connoisseur (a snob, according to some of the people who know me around here ) and consistently smoke 20+ year old production Bolivar and Partagas, with that old tobacco taste, aged perfectly, some 97/98 cigars... and this one blew them away... This was my first 100 point cigar, and hopefully not my last. If you have these, cherish them. If you can find these... mortgage your home, sell your wife, kids and your dog, they are worth it! 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boosted Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Thanks for the awesome review! I've got 1 of these left, and I am really looking forward to it now. The last time I smoked one was 2010, and it was phenomenal. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrubber Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Fantastic review. Great read. Glad you enjoyed it and hopefully the others you have left are just as good! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Great review. There were some brilliant aged Lonsdales on today's 24:24 listings (Diplomatico No.1 and Montecristo No.1). If this shows up on a 24:24 sale I think I will die from shock! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perla Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 If you have these, cherish them. If you can find these... mortgage your home, sell your wife, kids and your dog, they are worth it! I like that ! Wonderful review hope you find the same joy with the rest of the box. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotusguy Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Great review. There were some brilliant aged Lonsdales on today's 24:24 listings (Diplomatico No.1 and Montecristo No.1). If this shows up on a 24:24 sale I think I will die from shock! It's a German RE - not very likely to show up at Czar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnS Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 It's a German RE - not very likely to show up at Czar. Yeah I know...hence why I would die from shock. However, it's uncanny how many discontinued or older cigars have showed up on 24:24 listings lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotusguy Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Yeah I know...hence why I would die from shock. However, it's uncanny how many discontinued or older cigars have showed up on 24:24 listings lately.At prices that are even higher than the secondary market... But anyway - German RE have never shown up here so I wouldn't hold my breath IF they showed up, they'd be 4 digits. You can have my box for that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeypots Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 One of the few cigars that guys in the know back then labeled potential ultimate classics that panned out. I bought ten a few years ago and they were good. I smoked one last July from a box I have and it was very good. I have smoked a few since they have acclimated to 62% in my desktop and they are off the charts. I only wish the Encantos, which seem to be bland as hell, were half as good as the German REs. I think we are going to start to hear that the Bolivar Especial #2 German RE are ready to go and are in the same league as the PL Lonsdale RE. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PapaDisco Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Props for the deck screw as nubbining tool! I'd suggest using a stainless steel one though instead of galvanized! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMonk Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Very nice review, thanks for sharing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finecigar Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 Awesome review! Loved the pics and text. I have a few singles of these left and I will have to savor them. Haven't had one in years! Happy smoking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleDD Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Sounds great! I've never had a 100 point cigar. I'm envious! Highest I've had was a 98 point 1998 Punch Churchill and a 98 point 2001 Upmann 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laxman Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Great review, very well done. Great cigar when it's not plugged. Have had a few boxes and at least for me there has been a high number of plugged cigars. But when the draw is right it is one heck of a cigar. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CigSid Posted October 8, 2015 Author Share Posted October 8, 2015 Thank you all for the generous compliments! I have since tried two more of these, 1 was plugged beyond repair, and one was really good, around a 95 or 96... It's amazing how different cigars from the same box can be... Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrink Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 Great review. Sounds like it's time to crack my sleeping box. Por Larranaga takes a long time to reach it's peak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eswary Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Excellent review. I've thought on a few occasions that I was smoking what I would call a "100pt" cigar than the last third would always tail off that high podium. Maybe, I need to follow you're advice and cut and purge... Recently had a Dippy #4 from 2006 that was right there at that 97-98 pt rating. Thinking another year or two will be completely perfect. IMO the 2003 HDM des Dieux are right there in that 97-98 rating as well for me. Marvelous cigars Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbguardsp Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Had one of these late 2014 and mine had a slightly tight draw that felt a little past its prime. Certainly smooth and enjoyable though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Habana Mike Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Great review and glad you hit the pinnacle! When these draw they can be an excellent smoke. To my misfortune I've still a few sitting in the 'hope these open up so I can smoke them some day' section of the humidor. Just saw a sale offer for $1K on a box. Anyone interested I could point you to it.....I'm passing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CigSid Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share Posted November 21, 2015 Great review and glad you hit the pinnacle! When these draw they can be an excellent smoke. To my misfortune I've still a few sitting in the 'hope these open up so I can smoke them some day' section of the humidor. Just saw a sale offer for $1K on a box. Anyone interested I could point you to it.....I'm passing Yes, I agree these can have some with tight draws, out of two boxes, 4 have been unsmokable... But the one's that were smokable, have been amazing... Not worth $1000 a box at this time... Maybe in about 10 years, if they continue to age as well as they have so far... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGC Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Tried one out of my box. It was decent, but a little subtle for my taste. At the price mentioned above, I'll let go of mine at a discount. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotusguy Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Great review and glad you hit the pinnacle! When these draw they can be an excellent smoke. To my misfortune I've still a few sitting in the 'hope these open up so I can smoke them some day' section of the humidor. Just saw a sale offer for $1K on a box. Anyone interested I could point you to it.....I'm passing Yeah, I passed as well... If that's the going rate, I might part with my box Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puro Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Thx for review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olga Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 If you have these, cherish them. If you can find these... mortgage your home, sell your wife, kids and your dog, they are worth it! LOL Great review, thanks! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CigSid Posted November 25, 2015 Author Share Posted November 25, 2015 If you have these, cherish them. If you can find these... mortgage your home, sell your wife, kids and your dog, they are worth it! LOL Great review, thanks! Thank you for the compliment!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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