Beneath the Band: Por Larranaga Picadores

[El Presidente]

This series to explore whether a particular cigar is humidor worthy. Cost these days is an issue for many so let's see if we can highlight some absolute standouts. This should particularly assist those new to the cigar world.  

To be fair, most of the cigars we have featured to date have scored exceptionally well. Surprisingly well! 

Scoring is: 1-3 (Poor)   4-6 (Average to good)   7-10  (very good to excellent)  Use the Poll. 

You are more than free to comment away 

Por Larranaga Picadores has been requested as a "beneath the band" contender by popular request! 

The Picadores has a bolted on group of zealot fans. I am still on the fence after a decade since it's release. Have had some absolute crackers, have had many a ho hum experience. 

Today: Por Larranaga Picadores. Do you enjoy them? Fresh or aged? If aged...how long before they generally hit their stride.

Let's kick off the discussion 

 

 

[chris12381]

I still have 3/4 of a box from the initial release in 2014. They're very good cigars. Would I buy another box?  Nah. Too many other Hermoso No. 4s I'd buy before these.  

[JohnS]

Seriously, I can't even remember the last time I smoked Por Larranaga Picadores. There's too many PL Montecarlos, Petit Coronas and Galanes in my humidor to get through first! Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance here.

[Duder]

Never had one. Curious to see how this turns out. As much as I love the PC & MC these just don’t appeal to me for some reason. Bring back the panetelas!

[Li Bai]

I'll abstain again, I've never had one and I'm not particularly looking for them.

[99call]

To me these cigars are a victim of their own marketing. I think lots of distributors initially described their blend profile in reference to core Por Larranaga lines, maybe without even trying them. In short they taste nothing like a Larranaga and them being releases under that marca was like their fate being sealed. People were looking for lighter bodied caramel bombs, and when they didn't get that...I think a lot of people had a knee jerk reaction and said they were crap. 

Picadores to me taste a bit like an odd mash up between Upmann and Vegueros. They have a toasty quality and a sweet pea, green cut grass aspect. Personally, I think they are good cigars, not great, but then again how many in the CC line are achieving 'Great' day in day out. 

Strangely I think if these had been released these under the banner of a once discontinued marca like 'Flor de Caney', people would have gone absolutely nuts for them.

[BrightonCorgi]

I was late to the game in trying them, but after buying the initial box I became a fan. The Picadores became one of the few I bought more of before the price increases. 

PL wasn't a marca I went after beyond Regionals so I wrote the Picadores off for some time.

[Habanoschris]

I've had a few singles. The best one I had was just last month and was only so/so. Mostly hay and toasted tobacco. Leaving a few to age.

[gormag38]

I too can't be of any help here. I've never had one nor had any desire to acquire any. Used to be able to find some pretty solid deals on these too, if I'm remembering correctly.

[BrightonCorgi]

The Picadores have a toasted element to them. So far, all have been well rolled.

[Havanaaddict]

Again another cigar that I have boxes from 14' and 16' and that's it. Those are outstanding now, and I do find them a good price in the price inflation game. I would like to smoke some of the fresh ones, if I could ever win the chance and they could make it though 😕 

[Ford2112]

Interesting opinions, seems this is a polarizing one. I have never hunted any down due to mixed reviews I have seen.