Bill Paley and La Palina Cigars was not letting the new FDA cigar regulations stop him from pleasing his fans and lovers of La Palina cigars. At this years IPCPR the company announced a new line of cigars with fresh packaging from the boxes to the bands. Known as the Number Series, there is currently 2 blends in the new line that are defined simply as the LP#1(LP01) and LP#2 (LP02). No fancy names here, but Bill was inspired by late Paul Rand, who was an American modernist graphic artist, when it came to the packaging.
The company worked with Nestor Plasencia’s El Paraiso factory in Honduras for the manufacturing of the line.
The La Palina LP01 blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadoran Sumatra
- Binder – Costa Rica
- Filler – Nicaraguan and Honduran
While this review is on the La Palina LP01 cigar it should be noted that both the LP01 and LP02 are using Costa Rican leaf.
The Numbers Series is available in 4 vitolas and are packaged in 20-count boxes.
- Petit Corona (4.5 x 44) MSRP $7.99
- Robusto (5.5 x 50) MSRP $9.50
- Toro (6.5 x 52) MSRP $10.00
- Gordo (6 x 60) MSRP $11.00
For this review I sampled the La Palina LP01 robusto which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The La Palina LP01 has a beautiful medium brown marbled wrapper with practically no veins running through it. The wrapper has a smooth and slightly waxy feel to it. The seams are tight and it is finished with a well applied cap.
The band on the cigar I reviewed was generic as the official bands were not ready at the show. It was a white band with “LP01” printed in black. The official band looks like the following.
There is a grassy and hay aroma off the foot and a light sweet chocolate aroma along the barrel.
Once cut, the cold draw had decent restriction and offered notes of fruit, pepper, and butter.
I found the pre-light note to be quite enticing and was now ready to put the flame to it.
Cigar Review Notes
La Palina LP01
La Palina LP01
La Palina LP01
La Palina LP01
La Palina LP01
La Palina LP01
La Palina LP01
La Palina LP01
- Pepper opens the nasals in the first puffs but settles quickly
- Warm cocoa and spice enter as the pepper fades
- A salt and pepper ash begins to form resting on a medium char line
- Citrus notes enter
- A background of earthy notes and a hint of cedar fills out the profile after an inch of burn
- The cocoa becomes more of a dry cocoa powder after an inch and half
- Wrapper is showing signs of oiling
- Mouth quenching citrus grows moving into second third
- Ash falls after 1st third revealing a nicely centered and pointy burn cone
- Full volume of smoke
- Roasted oak aroma fills the air
- Citrus is in the forefront but not overwhelming by the midway point
- Medium strength so far
- Perfect even burn
- Berry notes enter mid second third
- Cocoa powder tingles the back of the palate
- Finishes with cedar and spice
- Total Smoking Time was one hour and 20 minutes – a slow burner!
Overall, the La Palina LP01 was a fresh and delicious smoke that was perfect for my first cigar of the day. The flavor nuances were well-balanced especially the citrus, cocoa, and berry. This is a cigar that easily pairs with a sweet cup of coffee.
La Palina LP01
