Pre-light Experience

The La Palina Goldie Laguito No. 2 has a light tan brown wrapper. The veins and seams are slightly unpressed and visible (respectively). The cigar has a nice give throughout, which should cause no issues on the draw. The head is finished off with a neatly applied triple cap and short pigtail flair. Nosing the wrapper provides sharp cedar, white pepper spice and slight barnyard. Nosing the foot gives intense white pepper spice, sharp cedar and brown sugar. Cold draw tells namely tongue tingly white pepper spice, cedar and sawdust.

First Third

First thirds flavor profile warms up with light and airy notes of creamy bread (reminiscent of Hawaiian bread), cedar and white pepper spice. A quarter inch in, the flavor profile opens and becomes more robust, providing more distinct aforementioned notes as well as caramel and lightly roasted nuts. On the retrohale, intense white pepper spice, burnt sugar and sharp cedar. The finish consists of creamy bread, burnt sugar, sharp cedar and white pepper spice. The body started medium minus. Quarter inch in, body became a solid medium. Strength was at a solid medium throughout the entire first third.

Second Third

Second thirds flavor profile begins where the first third left off. Distinct notes of creamy bread, white pepper spice, sharp cedar, lightly roasted nuts and burnt sugar. Roughly half way through the second third, a few interesting and unique notes come in and out: celery seed and creamy over ripe fruit (perhaps bananas). The over ripe fruit note mixed with the burnt sugar which is suggestive of creme brulee. Further, the white pepper spice has noticeably intensified, at times moderately irritating my throat. On the retrohale, still notes of intense white pepper spice, burnt sugar and sharp cedar. The finish is a long and lingering creamy bread, burnt sugar, sharp cedar and white pepper spice. Body and strength within the entire second third is a consistent medium.

Final Third

Last thirds flavor profile is dialed back. The complexities and transitions of the second third is for the most part not present, leaving namely notes of sharp cedar, palate layering oily white pepper spice, full tannins and graphite minerality. Through the retrohale, stinging white pepper spice and charred wood. The finish lingers with sharp white pepper, cedar and graphite minerality.

Burn

The burn was perfect. A cool and slow burning 110 minutes of smoking. Snow white, tight and sturdy ashes averaging 1.5 inches. Superb.

Draw

The draw was every bit perfect. Just the right amount of give on the thin ring gauge. Perfectly executed by master roller Maria Sierra.

Overall

I came into this experience expecting high remarks and in turn, scores. Reason being, when I first had this cigar upon release (summer July 2012), this was one of my all time favorites. Somehow between then and now (4 years later), the profile isn’t as amazing as I remember. I didn’t take notes back in the summer of 2012, but I certainly do not remember the cigar being sharp. Specifically, sharp cedar and white pepper spice. I remember a more harmonious profile. It’s not that I disliked this cigar, just wasn’t as memorable as upon release.

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

7.00

Cost/Point

$2.14

Scoring System