The Good Stuff: La Palina is the epitome of boutique cigars. Led by Bill Paley, the reformation of the blend surfaced in 2010 and has been a force ever since. Teaming up with some of the cream of the crop in terms of manufacturers,  one of this year’s releases the “Goldie” is being produced by none other than El Titan de Bronze. You may be familiar with El Titan de Bronze as they have been responsible for bringing you lines such as the 13^th floor, Bonita Smoke Shop 18th anniversary and Time Warp, Nestor Miranda – Casa Miranda, and many, many more. There was one very talented woman in charge of hand rolling each and every cigar in this line. Her name is Maria Sierra. Maria is a master roller and one of the first women ever trained to rolled cigars in Cuba. She actually started her career rolling cigars for “El Laguito” where Cohibas were rolled some time ago. Maria was trained under the watchful eyes of Avalino Lara who actually created the Cuban Cohiba blend, as well as Eduardo Rivera Irazarri who was Fidel Castro’s personal cigar roller.

The Goldie is the second cigar in the “La Palina Collection”, after the 1896 Robusto. I only smoked one of the 1896 a year or so ago and loved it, but haven’t seen them since. The cigar only comes in one size, the “Laguito no. 2” or petit lancero as we know it in the States. The Goldie is also unique as it contains Medio Tiempo leaf, found only on 10% of tobacco plant. Not many cigars contain this leaf, but one that most people would recognize is the infamous Cohiba Behike.  The Goldie comes in Cuban-style packaged boxes of 10. Only 1,000 boxes were released at $150 each ($15 per cigar), each with an imprinted number on the box as well as an inked signed certificate containing the cigar’s details, box number, and Maria’s signature. Mine was box 739/1000.  I got this box over at Bonita Smoke Shop. If you are looking for the Goldie, she may still have a few, if not she always has a good amount of La Palina on hand, not to mention she has some of the best customer services out there.

Size: 6 x38
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Ecuadorian
Filler: Dominican & Nicaraguan
Body: Medium/Full
Strength: Medium
Price: $15
Pairing: St. Bernardus Tripel (Belgium) 8.0% ABV

Prelight: The La Palina Goldie Laguito is a damn pretty cigar. In fact, everything that comes out of the El Titan de Bronze factory is spot-on in terms of construction. Needless to say, the Goldie has that extra special touch. The wrapper starts out with a very webby composure of small veins lying in it’s incredibly consistent light, yellowish brown wrapper. The wrapper seems a bit fragile but the Goldie gives very little as I compress it in my hands. There are no soft spot throughout the entire body of the cigar all the way up to it’s pretty little triple cap with an added little tail to finish it off. The construction on these cigars are just perfect. The Goldie is polished off with the beautiful, standard gold, white, and black embossed La Palina logo.

The wrapper of the cigar gives off a nice sweetness mixed with caramel and cinnamon. The foot of the cigar only gives off a small amount of cedar and vanilla scented tobacco aroma. The cap on the La Palina Goldie cut off very clean and easy using my Palio double bladed cutter. I was greeted with a very strong, milky, vanilla, sweet tobacco, and cinnamon cold draw. It reminds me of some sort of ice cream, or horchata. Either way, it’s tasty.

First Smoke: La Palina’s Goldie Laguito welcomed me with some nice, strong, unexpected black pepper. After the first few puffs the pepper began to fade and what I was left with was a crazy mixture of creamy milk, sweet tobacco, cinnamon, honey, and caramel. Yes, it tasted like a cigar made from a candy bar. The draw on this cigar was just fantastic. Really, this was one of the best constructed cigars I have ever smoked. Each tiny little draw pumped out a massive, massive cloud of thick white smoke. It was pretty windy outside when I was doing this review and even then the cloud hung around for quite some time before dissipating. Although the La Palina Goldie Laguito pumped out smoke in each draw, the cigar gave off almost no stationary smoke what so ever. The burnline is just perfectly even leaving behind a very thick, tightly compacted white ash that held on for almost an inch before giving way.

Halfway There: Halfway through the La Palina Goldie Laguito and the flavors are still rocking. The cedar I picked up during the prelight has finally found it’s way through the honey, caramel, sweet, creamy flavors. I am also getting a really neat vanilla taste now too. These aren’t flavors I pick up too often but them blend in so well with this experience. The retrohale is just awesome as well leaving behind a soft cedar, honey, and almost banana flavor in my nasal passage. I am not feeling any nicotine at all as this cigar is still burning perfectly.

Finish: Again, the flavors in the La Palina Goldie Laguito just don’t give up. The overall flavor profile is very creamy, but abundant. The vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and sweetness is still there but the cedar and sweet tobacco flavors have really started to ramp up. It took me just a little over an hour to take down this petit lancer and I encountered absolutely no harshness, or heat build up the entire time. I smoked this cigar down until my chubby little fingers could hold on no longer.

Overview: Needless to say, I loved this cigar. Let me just start off by applauding the work of El Titan de Bronze as they created probably one of the best constructed cigars I have ever had. That being said, take away the flavors and this one was of the best cigar experiences I have ever had. Now, when you add the flavors back in the mix it takes the Goldie to a whole new level. This thing is a flavor bomb with some very unique sweet, and strong flavors without ever getting too bold. The flavors just mixed with each other so well resulted in a perfect balance and complexity. This cigar is box worthy for sure, even with the higher price tag. I only have 2 gripes about this cigar. Number one, the availability. But that’s more selfishness on my part than anything. I just hope I don’t burn through these too quickly. And two, the smoking time. I tore through this cigar in about an hour, that’s taking my time too. Now I know what you’re thinking, “A $15 cigar that only lasts an hour?” even with that thought I can gladly say that it’s still worth the coin. I’ve liked so many of La Palina’s products and can honestly say, hands down, this is in my opinion the best cigar they have produced to date.

Pairing: As warmer weather is making it’s way to the southeast, I couldn’t let the summer pass me by without pairing another cigar with St. Bernardus’ Tripel. Again, this is the ultimate summer beer. Brewed at Brouwerij St. Bernardus in Belgium, this ale comes in at a whopping 8% ABV. Despite the higher ABV, you really don’t taste much of that alcohol in the beer itself. Instead, you are greeted to a nice banana, malt, sweet wheat, and sugar profile that fits right in with the hot weather. This beer may actually be the reason I picked up that banana flavor on my retrohale. The banana, sugar, and wheat meshed so well with the caramel, honey, and sweetness from the La Palina Goldie Laguito. It’s a match made in heaven.

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#10 – Tatuaje – Tabacos El Triunfador

Recent blends by Pete Johnson and Don Pepin have all been successful. This particular one may have fallen off peoples radars since it was released earlier this year. The cigar offers a sweet and nutty mild-bodied smoke that is accented with some cedar and subtle spices all wrapped in a gorgeous looking package. They do smoke a bit fast but the experience is very enjoyable.

View the full review here

#9 – Padron – Family Reserve 46 Years

Padron is a company who continuously rocks the cigar community with top rated blend, after blend and 2010 was no exception. The Padron Family Reserve 46 years is the newest extension to the Reserve line, and it a flawless addition indeed. From the awesome box-press vitola, to the deep cedar flavors the 46 year will be making the ranks of top cigars of 2010 lists everywhere. Although we loved the hell out of this cigar, the price tag was just a little too steep to put this cigar higher in the list.

View the full review here

#8 – Casa Fernandez – Aganorsa Leaf

This is a well constructed cigar from Casa Fernandez that packs itself with a fair bit of full body. The cigar is well balanced and plays mainly on some peppery spices and cedar notes but mixes in some coffee, nutty, and leather flavors to keep it interesting right down the nub.

View the full review here

#7 – CAO – La Traviata Maduro

CAO had a big hit with its well priced La Traviata and the Maduro wrapped version of that cigar did not disappoint. With the same favorable price range, this blend maintains its tasty flavors of spice and cedar, the full body, it’s perfect balance and consistency while adding a nice chocolate and coffee sweetness that the Maduro wrapper offers up.

View the full review here

#6 – My Father Cigars – Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial

Great blending seems to run in the family, this offering from Don Pepin Gracias’ son, Jaime, is a beautifully constructed cigar. It has an oily dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, kicks off with a typical Pepin spice and pepper and is complimented with nuances of coffee, cocoa and cedar. The smooth and balanced cigar offers a fantastic medium to full smoke, take you time and enjoy it!

View the full review here

#5 – La Aurora – Serie Anniversario 107

Miami Cigar has turned out a lot of great cigars this year and the 107 is a very tasty smoke that generated a lot of buzz in the online community. Although released earlier this year, a lancero vitola was made available later in the year which is another great way to experience this line. It’s sweet and fruity flavors are complimented by a smooth spice that offers a great balance in a medium bodied cigar.

View the full review here of the Corona or here of the Robusto.

#4 – Illusione – Singulare Phantom

One of our favorite manufacturer’s really stepped their game up this year producing his first limited release to date. Dion Giolito of Illusione cigars raised the bar (and my future expectations) when it comes to quality when he released this year’s Singulare series “The Phantom”. The Phantom is a milder blend jam packed with sweet tobacco, honey, and creamy earth flavors resulting in an all around stellar smoking experience.

View the full review here

#3 – AVO – Limited Edition 2010

AVO is known for their milder take on cigar blending, but they really stepped out of their comfort zone when they created the LE10. Knocking it out of the ballpark with a strong mix of Ecuadorian, Mexican, and Nicaraguan tobaccos which, when mixed properly produce a flavor bomb full of just enough body to cure all your cravings. The only con to this cigar is the fact that it’s so limited.

View the full review here

#2 Drew Estate – Liga Privada Unicos Series Dirty Rat

Drew Estate does it again with another remarkable addition to the Liga Privada line. The Dirty Rat satisfies not only the boldest of cigar smoker’s needs, but the complex cedar, earthy, cocoa notes wrapped up into a tiny little corona sized package are enough to make any smoker fall in love at first draw.

View the full review here

#1 Miami Cigars – La Sirena 

Photo Courtesy of Jackie at Bonita Smoke Shop

Miami Cigar’s La Sirena came out of nowhere and blind-sided the cigar community with a late start this year. We can personally say that we didn’t expect the diamond of a cigar that the La Sirena is, but I won’t be surprised to see this cigar at the top of most, if not all the lists this year. Pepin puts forth a fruity, coffee, sweet tobacco, and spicy blend all in a full body package. Who could ask for more?

We know, we know, this is the ONLY cigar in our top 10 that we do not have a review for. But Trust us, as soon as we get my hands on more (we were too busy “enjoying” them)

Honorable Mentions

Cuban Cohiba Behike
Although it didn’t make the top 10, we still think the Cuban Cohiba Behike should be mentioned. This is an absolutely amazing cigar. From the construction, to the flavorful and attention grabbing blend, the Behike stands alone. The only factor keeping it out of the race was the price. At $40 – $80 a stick we just couldn’t justify having this cigar top the list

K.A. Kendall’s 7-20-4 Dogwalker
This cigar would definitely have made this list but unfortunately it is not a new line this year, only a new size. The small size packs the same delicious flavors of cedar, subtle spices and a very interesting sweet dried raison, all in a short smoke that can be easily enjoyed on cold days or your drive home.

View the full review of the 7-20-4 here

Tatuaje Petit Reserva & Verocu No. 5
Another two cigars but Pete Johnson that are short quick smokes but pack the flavors of their full sized brothers. There some sweetness, spice, cedar and coffee notes on both of these cigars. I got a little more sweetness on the Verocu No. 5 and a bit more body and spice from the Petit Reserva but both were very tasty!

The post Casas Fumando’s Best of 2010 appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The Good Stuff: The Cohiba Behike (or “Tribal Chief) was once deemed the most expensive cigar in the world. I’m not entirely sure when the original release was, but I can tell you the re-release happened this year (2010) during the XII Festival del Habano. Along with the re-release came a dramatic price drop. Although the Behike price has dropped, paying $40+ a stick for a cigar isn’t something I do often. I have seen these cigars for sale ranging from $30 all the way up to $90 a peice. Of course size plays a big role in the price tag. The Behike is composed of Cuban “Medio Tiempo” leaves wich are taken from the top leaves of each tobacco plant. These leaves are said to absorb the most sun therefore produce a unique flavor profile. Needless to say this is probably the main reason why the Behike’s are so rare and will only be produced in very small quantities each year.

Size: 4.75 x 52  –  Wrapper: Cuban  –  Binder/Filler: Cuban

Prelight: The Cohiba Behike is a short, stubby, wider ring gauged cigar. The wrapper is composed of a medium to light brown wrapper which is extremely consistent in color, and silky enough to shine at almost every ray of light it comes across. The cap of the Behike is a double capped semi-pig tail that bleeds seamlessly into the body of the cigar.  There are quite a few smaller veins running the length of the body, but far less than most Cuban cigars I have seen. There are no soft spots at all and the body of the cigar is very firm to the touch giving a ton of resistance when compressed between my fingers. The band is very similar to the yellow and black Cohiba band, but instead of the main crest being the brand name, it is embossed with a gold “BEHIKE” stamp along with a textured hologram of the Cohiba Head logo. At the price each one of these cigars run I am glad to see the extra hologrammed precautions used to ensure authenticity. The back of band has yet another hologram. This one is composed of a ton of smaller “COHIBA” logos along with the head. Above this hologram is the gold COHIBA logo along with another logo as well as the yellow “Habana, Cuba” emblem we are all used to.

The Behike gives off a very slight grassy/earthy aroma from the wrapper which is only more pronounced at the foot with a little touch of spice. The cap cut off clean and easy using my Palio Double Bladed cutter. The cold draw seems a bit tight, actually very tight. I really hope this doesn’t transpose into the smoking experience. The flavors that I picked up in the cold draw is a very starchy, zest flavor backed by grassy and earthy notes. I don’t know what it is but almost every Cuban cigar I have ever had has started off with an almost saltiness that is coming off of the cap of the wrapper.

First Smoke: Yup, saltiness still there. Luckily it was only evident into the first couple of draws before simmering down. After that the flavors really start to take off. The first third gives off a very mild smoke with the flavor profile composed mostly of softer cedar and earthly flavors backed by a very nice spice and even just a dash of pepper that is only evident enough to tease the tip of my tongue. The draw, yup, as expected very tight. I wouldn’t say it was plugged but I really wish it wasn’t as tight as it is. The draw, once it hits me is semi-thick and produces a decent amount of solid white smoke. The Behike does give off a hell of a lot of stationary smoke. At times you can see the oils burning off the wrapper. Very pleasant in scent as well with cedar and spice being the main aromas. Straight out of the gate a large wave started down the burline. This raised quite some concern but amazingly by the end of the first third the Behike managed to correct itself leaving behind an almost perfect burline (amazing for a Cuban at least), with a thicker edge that left behind a trail of darker grey, flaky ash.

Halfway There: The pepper and spice really mellowed out into the second third of the Behike. The cedar and earthy tones are still there in full force but the entire experience has turned to a much more creamy, softer one. I honestly though that, judging by the first third, that this would be a much bolder, harsh smoke. But as of the second third its been more of a smooth flavor bomb. The draw really started opening up (thank god) into the second third and the ash was beautiful for Cuban tobacco. A lot more compressed and compact than I am used to. The burnline is running great and I am only feeling a slight bit of nicotine from this stick.

Finish: Wow, holy crap did the spice and pepper make a comeback and its making for a totally badass retrohale!  The main flavors have to be the pepper and spice mixture with the cedar and earthy tones making only subtle appearances. The saltiness is still there, but not as evident as the first and second thirds. The burnline has been near perfect all the way through and the ash was amazing for a Cuban cigar. I really started to feel a bit of the nicotine into the final third. It wasn’t enough to knock me off my feet but it’s definitely in there. After all was said and done the Behike took me a little over an hour and a half to smoke. That was WAY longer than I expected. The tighter draw may have had something to do with that but the tobacco used in this cigar really burned a lot slower than I anticipated.

Overview: I really wanted to hate this cigar. The price, the exclusiveness, the marketing behind it, all in my corner. Did I ? Absolutely not. This is one hell of a cigar and sets the bar WAY high for any type of future Cuban cigar manufacturing. This is an extremely complex, yet very well balanced smoke with enough changeups to keep anyone entertained. It was mild/medium with just enough extra punch to keep you on your toes. Flawless construction, excellent burn, with a great flavor profile. If this cigar wasn’t so damn expensive it would be in my everyday line up. I do see myself keeping a few of these on hand though for those “special” occasions.

Pairing: The Cohiba Behike was paired with another one of my regular rotation beers, Belhaven’s Scottish ale. Belhaven’s Scottish Ale is a very malty, hoppy ale with a creamy fruity finish. At 5.2% this beer was a perfect pairing for the Behike. It married up very well with the smoother creamy notes in the cigar and produced a nice balance once the cigar’s spice really took off.  This ale would go perfect with just about any cigar. The Behike would work very well with any ale, IPA, water, coffee, or tea.

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