Pre-light Experience

The La Palina Goldie Cañonazo is beautifully constructed and is firm throughout. The fantail cap on the cigar is perfect and it is a great finish. The wrapper has small to medium sized veins and they are scattered throughout. The cigar is light Colorado in coloring, slight touch of Natural to it and it is smooth and silky in texture. There is an aroma of sweet earth, soft spices, caramel and leather on the wrapper while the foot is giving off notes of dark chocolate, rich earth and stone fruit.

First Third

The first third opens up by delivering some sweet red pepper spices. It is paired with some roasted nut qualities, picking up walnut flavors and it has some softness as well of hay, manure and black coffee. It is medium in body and strength and it pairs well with the flavors delivered.

Second Third

When I get into the second third, I find a rise in complexity and it is showing some soft spices with that nutty and hay core. There are some soft earth qualities, sweet tobacco and coffee. The finish is showing some creamy aspects as well and it really rounds out the cigar. It is remaining at medium in body and strength and once again, balanced cigar.

Final Third

There is a lot of transitioning to the final third and while it has that core profile of walnuts, hay and soft spices, there is this new bread like profile that is showing touches of lemongrass and rosemary. The finish is still creamy, but this is a much different third than its predecessor. Like the first two thirds, the cigar is medium in body and strength to the end.

Burn

The burn on the cigar is very good and while it is not always even or razor sharp, there are no problems with the burn line. The cigar produces a solid charcoal colored ash on the end and the ash holds on firmly throughout each third.

Draw

The draw on the Cañonazo is perfect from start to finish and it is just slightly snug. The smoke production is fantastic and the cigar smokes cool from beginning to end.

Overall

I have been enjoying the Goldie line since it was first released, always purchasing boxes, and it has been interesting to see the evolution of the line over the years. I truly believe that they haven’t dramatically changed the blend formula since it was initially crafted, understanding there is going to be some changes in filler leaves with smaller to larger ring gauges, and that is why I believe it is one of the best lines to see the change in tobacco flavors from crop vintages over the years. The wrapper alone is far different in appearance than what it was when it was first released.

In many ways, the line is nothing like it used to be, and while I don’t care for recent releases compared with the original, it is still a good cigar. That is saying something when I can say that I don’t care for recent annual releases compared to the first couple years, but still find the cigar to be good. The La Palina Goldie Cañonazo is a terrific size and it delivers enjoyable flavors throughout. It has depth and complexity and there is transitioning present as well. I like that they are going back to a Cuban vitola, going away from the American vitola offering, and I believe it is an offering many will enjoy. If you have loved recent Goldie releases, this will be another one to your liking.

Seth Geise

SCORE

7.32

Cost/Point

$3.01

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: La Palina Goldie Cañonazo