Beneath the Band: Por Larranaga Galanes

[El Presidente]

 

This series seeks 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 Galanes 52 × 120 mm (4¾″) were announced 2020 and released in 2021. There was significant excitement at the time of their announcement. The Por Larranaga Picadores is a decent cigar but never hit the heights expected. The Por Larranaga Petit Corona and Montecarlo set a high bar of expectation as did the myriad of excellent Regional Releases around the world. I am still in awe of the Por Larranaga PCC Robusto 2007 (50x124mm (4⅞″)) that turned into a masterpiece.  So the Por Larranaga Galanes had some expectations and I think many of us are still waiting to see how they age. This is a cigar that has none of the mongrel of a young PLPC or even the earthiness of a young Picadores. There is little to no caramel PLPC signature. There is a ton of sweet bakery, a champagne note and gentle toasted tobacco. Light to medium bodied. I love light to medium bodied cigars but I feel the Galanes is lacking that extra gear of complexity/personality if it wishes to make a mark in this weight class. Now that may yet come but we are 5 years deep and my 2021 examples aren't showing any signs of greatness. That may not be a bad thing! Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar and at $18 USD a stick, they are not insanely priced. Still, it is wearing one hell of a heritage with Por Larranaga on its jersey. 

How are they aging for you? 

Your thoughts on the Por Larranaga Galanes?

[JohnS]

I like them for the fact that they aren't like the Por Larranaga Petit Coronas or Montecarlos. They have a different blend that is not sweet and yes, they aren't complex. My theory is that they are the Por Larranaga version of the Punch Short de Punch, blended to be smoked in the short-term rather than the longer-term like other well-known cigars within those marcas. (E.g. Por Larranaga Petit Coronas and Montecarlos and the Punch Punch.)

[Li Bai]

I very much agree with the both of you here, I like it for what it is plus they're a bargain in today's world...

[Mike Mecklenburg]

7-10 across the board for me. Solid stick at a decent price.

[rcarlson]

Meh.  

[MrBirdman]

They’re just ok.The Galanes is a decent introduction to the marca for beginners since they don’t require 3-5 years to even out like the PC and MC (although both of the latter can be enjoyable young and part of their pleasure is how they change over time). Unlike Rob, I do pick up some aged-PL flavors in a Galanes, but they come across as a kind of a bastardized imitation rather than the real McCoy. I got mine on release when the price was reasonable, so I don’t regret the purchase.

Nevertheless, I would always recommend a newbie age the classic vitolas before buying Galanes.

[cnov]

I've only had a couple from the box. Both enjoyable but I'm going to give them a rest to see what happens. 

I love a PL band. 

[Dmex]

9 hours ago, Mike Mecklenburg said:

7-10 across the board for me.  Solid stick at a decent price.

I agree with you, except on personality I gave it a 6. It's a great cigar, I love them for what they are. I wish I had more lol. Cheers!

[Ford2112]

I didn't connect with this cigar. May I have to revisit. 

[Gubbins]

I would probably smoke any other PL before a Galanes in most cases. This has the least character or excitement in my opinion. 

[Stevieboy]

Love them. I'm on my 4th box. I wasn't a PL fan at all until I tried the Galanes. I've gone back and revisited the PC and really like them now

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