Por Larranaga Lolas en Cedro EAR NOV 01

[tandblov]

An excellent review Rob. Thanks for taking the time to review a farely overlooked and under-mentioned member of the PL brand.

However, my experience with these has been somewhat less enjoyable than your appears to have been. I have found many of them to be dominated by woody flavors that develop into a strong vegetal smoke. They seem to go bitter quite a bit earlier than I would like. TO me, they share few characters in common with other members of the PL marca, most noticably absent in that remarkable signature "caramel" flavor of the older PLPC's and the delightful and developing anise/all spice flavors of the new RE Lonsdale. Not that it could compete or that I expected it to do so, but it would be nice if they had just a hint of it. If there is, my palate can'tpick it out. However, they have served me well for when I wanted a taking a stroll in the afternoon type of smoke, If I had a comparison to make it would be to something between a JLP cazadore and a Quintero Nacionale. Unrefined, and unremarkable, but with a tell tale cuban flavor that makes them enjoyable for what they are. As with any cigar, an opportunity will always present itself for it to be enjoyed (all except Guantanamerra's.

You were also right on about the presentation. With the gold banded foot and the ceder sleeve it masks the fact that these are a lower budget smoke.

Definately good for what they are, but not as reflective of the brand as some other brands machine mades reflect their flavors.

The question I have for you is have you had a 1994 Upmann Regalia? To me, they are an excellent vintage machine made cigar. Some occasional construction problems, but nothing too serious.

[El Presidente]

This is a generous gift from Bill who put together a lovely pack of aged Machine made Cubans for me to review. Much appreciated mate!

I smoked a Punch Equisitos once they arrived and found a bitter harshness to the smoke which led me to believe that they would certainly benefit from some humidor stabilisation time. The second I had a few days ago was truely exquisite so my hunch proved correct.

Por Larranaga Lolas en Cedro EAR NOV 01

These machine made cigars were discontinued in 2002. Great packaging which is both striking and practical.

Once unburdened with its wrappings it is a rustic looking cigar but well put together. Smell at cold is rather pungeant tobacco with a hint of peppermint tea when sniffing the foot.

Tobacco/menthol taste on lips when test drawn Draw was great.

Fired up the foot, slight pepper spice through the nose. light to medium body. Thankfully no greeness appeared as I had feared from the menthol pre taste.

Hard to define this cigar. Some citrus elements as well as some Sancho Panza Salyt. Enjoyable but straight forward in the opening third.

The second third build to a consistent mid body and introduces some cocoa and malt charachters. Still an underlying salty taste which plays well. Absolutely no harshness to this cigar. While the cigar shares the malt nuances of the PL Panetela and PL Montecarlo it appears to miss the caramel nature which is often found in these cigars.

The last third was a mirror of the second. Overall a good, simple, mild/medium machine made but just lacking an intensity found in other very good MM's.

I certainly would not pay a premium on these over a fresh box of Por Larranaga Montecarlo or PL Panetela. It is a reminder however that good cheap cigars are available. Just keep an eye out for underfiller MonteCarlo and Panetela's from PL as this has been a problem.

The Lolas En Cedro (at least these as I smoked two) are good, honest, simple Cuban Machine Made Cigars which you could hand to anyone. They have an excellent aroma, a firm ash, great burn and a mid body with slight citrus and cocoa flavours. The most memorable thing to me was the salty underpinning which I enjoyed.

Thanks again Bill