Por Larranaga Belicoso Extra (2008 Regional Release) EMA

[Sandman]

Fantastic review! I have smoked a couple of the pre release, and I keep singing there praises. Great cigar, blend seems similar to the robusto, only different in a very nice way. I say they are a must have from my tastings.

[shrink]

Sounds interesting. Any comparison to the PL Robusto?

[TexaSmoke]

Nice Review

[Ken Gargett]

yes, rob fronted up but at least he brought cigars this time and didn't immediately loot my humidor. of course, that didn't last.

promised no pictures inside. that didn't last more than 12 seconds but at least he got pissed and gave me priceless dirt on himself. alcohol is a wonderful thing. as for this pledge to do the opposite (does that mean i'll finally find out wha an unplugged cigar is like?), if i recall, that was the episode called 'i am costanza, lord of the idiots' - what more is there to say?)

howver, rob very kindly brought the new PLBE 08 (seriously, these have to end up being called the plebes).

cracker stuff. have my notes elsewhere but tried two and loved both. bit uneven and ragged re burn/draw but they poor things are only two months old so hardly fair. will dig out notes and post but i think i gave them 90 with huge potential down the track.

what a cruel time for a recession!

[jaylax5]

Nice shirt Ken! lol.

Oh yeah...and quality review Mr. Ayala. ;-)

[KB24]

Rob,

Is there a reason you posted a pic of Ken where you can see what appears to be part of his balls showing?

[Ken Gargett]

» Rob,

»

» Is there a reason you posted a pic of Ken where you can see what appears

» to be part of his balls showing?

deceptively coloured undies or rob has been on photoshop. i assure that last night, with rob in the house, my boys were well and truly tethered.

[El Presidente]

» Rob,

»

» Is there a reason you posted a pic of Ken where you can see what appears

» to be part of his balls showing?

What even posessed you to look in that direction

It appears Ken is a full member of the Freesnaking club ;-)

[El Presidente]

» Sounds interesting. Any comparison to the PL Robusto?

Shrink, no real similarities outside that you can pick both as Por Larranaga. I like this fact.

Por Larranaga Robusto upon release was more fruity. This cigar has a slightly darker side, more melancholy, dark, brooding.

[kjellfrick]

»

» Por Larranaga Robusto upon release was more fruity. This cigar has a

» slightly darker side, more melancholy, dark, brooding.

That sounds very interesting. I've started to find many of the regionals a bit too ingratiating for my taste, but hopefully this one will evolve into something more substantial and to my taste. Great intro review, Rob!

[harryleech]

Did you say Guinness? I'm in!! ;-)

[Miami101]

Great review...I been looking forward to this release for some time.

I'm a big fan of this cigar, and the style of the blend.

[Fatshotbud]

» Great review...I been looking forward to this release for some time.

» I'm a big fan of this cigar, and the style of the blend.

Sound like they taste as good as they look!

Rob - Will you be offering any samplers of new releases?

[tacmedic]

Great review as always....makes me want to fly down and smoke one with you, thanks.

[Van55]

That's a gorgeous looking cigar! Thanks for the review, but as it was of a single cigar smoked on the day it arrived at your shop, with less than a year post box date, I give the review no credence whatsoever. :-D

[Jay Hemingway]

LOVING the ball sack shot...........:-(

thanks alot rob!

[Ken Gargett]

» LOVING the ball sack shot...........:-(

»

» thanks alot rob!

i told you. photoshopping. my boys were home and tucked away. photoshopping by a very sick man.

and van55, don't sit on the fence, let us know what you really think.

[Mr.T]

Boy, those look great, a sampler of those beauties would be great...what comparisons, if any, can you make to the PL Magnifico?

[El Presidente]

» Boy, those look great, a sampler of those beauties would be great...what

» comparisons, if any, can you make to the PL Magnifico?

Will do a sampler later today.

.....and Van....you are correct :-D

[El Presidente]

» Boy, those look great, a sampler of those beauties would be great...what

» comparisons, if any, can you make to the PL Magnifico?

To be honest too early to tell. I have smoked 5 of these but I will leave the rest of my initial box rest for 30 days before reviewing again.

[Spartan]

pssstt...excuse me, your balls are showing. Bumblebee Tuna!

[El Presidente]

Por Larranaga Belicoso Extra (2008 Regional Release) EMA July 08

Lets’ put this Tasting in perspective. Cigars arrived in am. Tasting occurred in pm. No resting or acclimatization given.

Tasting occurred at Ken Gargetts late afternoon. I love Kens place and the setting in the forest is truly peaceful.

Ken tidied up for the occasion.

Ken selected a lovely bottle of Italian white wine to accompany the tasting (excellent choice). Ken only appeared to have 30-40 bottles of white wine in the fridge to choose from.

The cigars look excellent. The wrapper shade to this box (No 200) has that quintessential Por Larranaga look……dark caramel. Aroma at cold is slightly sweet toasted tobacco. Construction looks good. Properly filled, good weight in hand, nice cap.

Clipped the cap and found a perfectly good slightly resistive draw. Flavour on the lips was toasted tobacco.

Fired up the foot. Stronger than expected, some nice black pepper spice through the nose but not overpowering. Some very good toasted tobacco flavours coming through and after a few minutes some lovely restrained caramel sweetness which remained with this cigar for most of the first half. The cigar is settling down from medium full to medium but remaining full flavoured. Fantastic start to the cigar. Its core is quality Vuelta Abajo tobacco with a real golden brown toast note. The nuances of caramel play at the edges and do so nicely. There is a darker element at play, an almost “Guinness” character of charcoal and cream.

The second third is very much a continuation of the first third. There is quite a kick to this cigar. While not overtly powerful you know that it has some real substance as it makes you search for some water. I am finding the “Guinness” elements coming more to the fore. The caramel holds on but is becoming less and less noticeable as I enter the final third. The volume of smoke on the palate is excellent.

Medium full bodied now. A little dark melancholy. Finding some bitter chocolate notes. Good palate weight. Becoming a darker cigar and slowly closing up.

I look forward to Kens comments and later Smithy’s when he tries one this afternoon.

I will need to try several from different boxes before I can come to a robust opinion. Right now I think we are looking at an excellent cigar in 3-4 years time. To me Por Larranaga is defined by the caramel flavours it develops. This example had caramel in spades. The cigar has the body to develop well.

I enjoyed it thoroughly and give it a tentative 89. No doubt a 93 down the track. Still my review should be completely discounted by all. A proper review can only ensue in a months time when the cigars have stabilized from their journey. I can honestly say I am looking forward to it.

[El Presidente]

Ken popped in to the Czar deck this morning on the way back from Sydney.

His comment on the below photo?

"It was a Sharron Stone moment"

Smithy and I were in tears

»

[SmokinAl]

I had the pleasure of firing one of these up on Friday and I think it's the best blend I've tasted this year. There's the distinctive Vanilla you'd expect but the volume of smoke and mouthfeel is way better than the PL Robusto. One of the most notable things is the oil. If they're all the same, then they'll have the legs to last for decades, but they're a briliant smoke right now. It doesn't get much better than that!

[aavkk]

these sounds really promising... thanks boss!