Por Larranaga Belicoso Asia Regional EMA JUN 08 RELERW

[Wailbait]

I have a routine.  Every few months or so, I go through the wineadors and pull out about 10-15 sticks that go into a desktop humidor.  This is a good practice for me as it allows me to take stock of what I have and I say to myself “what do I want to try on the near-term?”  This review weekend gives me a great chance to try one from my more frustrating boxes.  
 

Frustrating because when it’s good, it’s REALLY good.  But while all have been well constructed, a couple have had ZERO flavor. Not mild.  ZERO.  
 

I only have two or three left and this one was in the desktop for me to wonder about the “legs” of this particular cigar.   So off I go.

First half is a delight.  It’s mild but I love the sweetness that comes through.  Smoke is creamy and satisfying.  Of my PL regionals, the Robustos are the mildest, these are in the middle and the Sobresalientes are monsters.  (The Sobresalientes are also leaps and bounds better than either of the two Asia ones I have)

Draw and construction are superb.  While I age long term at 62%, I find the 65% of my desktop does wonders on some of my older cigars.  Makes the first third less tinder-y 

construction continues perfectly and it relaxes into a lovely mild smoke.  Fortunately this particular stick is one of the good ones.  
 

Second half sees a lot of the cream fall away.  Neither the PL robusto or belicoso have ever displayed any twang.  I just don’t think that is what they do.  In that respect, a run of the mill PLPC is more “interesting” because there is more development.  But taken on its own, this is a great mild stick.  I would grade this particular stick a 93.  I have had 95 point sticks from this box but I have also had 80s.  Pleased with this one but I’m also thinking I will try to smoke my last couple in the next year.
 

Paired with a nice John LeCarre novel.  It’s a good match.