Newly released at this years IPCPR, the La Palina Nicaragua Oscuro is one of the latest in new blends from William Paley and represents his first work with Nicaraguan leaf. In addition to venturing into Nicaragua, Mr. Paley has also partnered with A.J. Fernandez and his Tabacalera Fernandez factory for this creation.
The La Palina Nicaragua Oscuro blend is made up of:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Oscuro
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
In addition to the Oscuro, La Palina also introduced a Connecticut Shade version at the show.
Bill Paley
Both blends are marketed in 3 vitolas and packed in boxes of 20.
- Gordo (6 x 58)
- Robusto (5 x 52)
- Toro (6 x 50)
For this review I sampled the Toro which has a MSRP of $8.50 USD
Cigar Review Notes
- Satin, medium-brown, slightly veiny wrapper
- Sweet tobacco aroma
- Cold draw delivers earth, butter, with a small background of pepper
- There is a touch of leather on the tongue
- Nasal cleaning pepper on first light
- Pepper burn settled after half-inch
- This is a fine ending for the big Italian meal I had
- Citrus enters with spicy pepper background
- Developing a case of the nicups – I think I am trouble
- Citrus evolves into a nice fruit with a sweet syrupy aroma
- Salt and pepper ash
- Awesome sweetness moving in at the end of first third
- Ash holds tight for two inches
- Well formed and centered burn cone
- Smoke smooths out by second half
- Strength is medium-plus and growing
- Earthy notes enter with a hint of spice by middle of second third
- Citrus lays in background
- Strength ratchets up
- Starting to get some pepper in the retrohale end of second third
- Burn is impeccable
- Even after a huge meal this cigar packs a punch
- Spice builds in the final third
- Finishes as a solid full strength smoke
Overall the La Palina Nicaragua Oscuro is, by far, one of the best new introductions in 2016. The burn was impeccable and the cigar was full of flavor all the way through the burn. This is a cigar an experienced smoker would relish and certainly should have in their rotation.
Yes, it certainly will be in the Stogie Press top 25 for 2016.
La Palina Nicaragua Oscuro