Blind Cigar Review: La Palina | Bronze Label Robusto

Cigar Info

In May of last year, La Palina announced the limited-edition Bronze Label would be their TAA exclusive. The cigar was as a collaboration with Rocky Patel and is only available to members of the Tobacconists’ Association of America, a retailer organization that represents American brick-and-mortar tobacconists.

The blend uses of a Habano-seed wrapper from Honduras, Honduran binder and fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua. The only size currently available is a 6 1/2 inch by 52 ring gauge Toro, but will be availble later in more vitolas. The Bronze Label comes in boxes of 20 and sells for $9.99 per cigar and is rolled at Nestor Plasencia’s El Paraiso factory in Honduras and distributed by La Palina Cigars.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 5 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduran Habano
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran
Factory: El Paradiso
Blender: Bill Paley and Rocky Patel
Number of reviewers: 5 – Mickey T. (irratebass) Diana (ArmyRN) Ryan H. (Ryan H.) John A. (Bostoneo) Dave W. (mdwest)
Price: $8.99
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: May 2017 (TAA)
Contributed by: La Palina

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 92

“A nice, clean looking robusto with a medium brown wrapper with minimal tooth. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)

Aroma: 91

“I love a cigar that smells like baking spices and bread. This one brings those scents in spades. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)

Blind Cigar Review: La Palina | Bronze Label Robusto

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“There is a very nice roast coffee bean flavor that hit me immediately and a slight floral flavor with cinnamon spice. This makes for a very nice flavor at the front end of this cigar. I like that the coffee notes are predominant at this point but when I retro it brings so much more to the experience. There is a nice creminess with a floral after taste that I am really digging. I’m excited about this cigar because it seems so good right out of the gate!” –Diana (ArmyRN)

“A sweet and spicy black pepper greet me on the first few puffs. Plumes of smoke protrude from the noticeable white ash as a woody chocolate with honey like sweetness coat my mouth, truly delicious. On the back end of this third berry jam on wheat toast notes hit the pallet. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Second Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Cream and carmel are the main attraction now. The blender did a wonderful job.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“Dark chocolate covered cherries is the main flavor hitting my taste buds right now. Notes of leather and black pepper come in and out. The sweetness lessens and the leather and light pepper take over in this sultry smoke. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“This is a fast burning stick. The same sweetness is still there, but now some spice & walnuts have developed. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“The final third keeps a dominate leather profile with some notes of peanuts and dried fruits. Burn and construction have been flawless to the very end. I hesitate putting this one down. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 95

“No problems with the draw was tighter than i would like but.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Burn: 95

“The burn was even and needed no touch ups during the smoke. A crisp line remained and produced a nice gray white ash that held pretty well. I ashed once but that could’ve been because I was moving around a lot at that point. Plenty of smoke was produced but not at a magnified amplitude. ” –Diana (ArmyRN)

Construction: 94

“Nice to look at, evenly packed, and solid performance from beginning to end. Clearly a well rolled stick. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 94

“This was a very enjoyable smoke. It was mild to medium in strength. Plenty of Marshmallow, nuts, cream, a tiny bit of spice and bread flavors to really round out the smoking experience. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“I totally enjoyed this cigar! It was complex enough to provide a varied mix of flavor and the combination of toast, floral, coffee and nuttiness was right up my alley. This is a great smoke for any experience level and is also great for a smoker segueing into retrohaling. You can get as much or as little as you want from this cigar and still not be disappointed!” –Diana (ArmyRN)

“With out a doubt box worthy. I dont know if the cigar would have any legs for aging though.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“I hesitated putting this one down for the count, it was that tasty. Draw and burn were awesome as the lush sweet flavors teased my tongue the entire time. It was slightly complex and it was right up there with a few of the blind smokes I’ve really enjoyed. Good job whoever blended this treat!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“While pretty one dimensional, the cigar was short enough that it didnt really matter, and was a nice and easy stick to smoke. While it didnt exactly “wow” me, it was a pleasant smoke, and I’d gladly smoke another in the future. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)