The La Palina Black Label was one of the cigars I was looking forward to trying from IPCPR 2014 the most. Being a fan of all the other La Palina cigars I have tried, I had pretty high expectations for this cigar. My favorites have been the limited editions such as the Goldie, but I have enjoyed some of their regular production lines very much as well, the Black Label falls into that category as it will be their latest regular production.
Cigar Info
The La Palina Black Label is a cigar for those in search of a rich blend with complex flavor. A Brazilian grown Bahiano wrapper amplifies filler and binder tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. This full-bodied blend has an undertone of spice that is sure to grab your attention. Notes of fruit and cocoa linger on the palate and ensure this cigar a place in any connoisseur's collection.
“I am proud to be able to offer this exceptional blend. The Black Label was another labor of love for La Palina.” – Bill Paley
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua
La Palina Black Label will be released in 4 sizes:
Gordo / 6 x 60
Toro / 6 x 50
Robusto / 5 x 52
Petit Lancero / 6 x 40
Appearance
This cigar has a beautiful dark reddish brown wrapper with a great triple cap and just a little tooth. There are moderate seams visible and the shape of the cigar itself is a little squished.
Aroma
I get earth and leather from the wrapper, and a sort of cognac sweetness form the foot. THe pre-light draw is smooth and creamy.
First Third
The first puff is pretty spicy and woody, as it settles in I get more wood flavors oak and cedar. The burn takes a while to get going evenly. A new kind of spice is making its way out, starting with a tingle on the toung, and finally coming out as cinnamon and nutmeg.
Second Third
The baking spices from the previous third were pretty short-lived. A little more of the way though, I start to pick up a toasty flavor, like breakfast in the morning. Shortly following is a nice strong coffee flavor, rounding out the breakfast profile for this third. That's not to say this is a mild cigar by any means. I am really enjoying this smoke now. The smoke production has gotten excellent.
Final Third
In the final third the flavors have transitioned to coffee, leather, and graham cracker. Not quite the breakfast profile from the previous third that was so great, but equally enjoyable. Towards the end I'm getting some bitterness, but it was cool to the end.
Overall
Overall I really enjoyed this smoke, although I do feel it was a bit young and/or needed more rest from its journey from the Dominican Republic, to Las Vegas, to Denver. The flavors were bold and strong as advertised, but towards the end of the smoke that did translate to some bitterness. I really enjoyed the flavors of the second third with the toast and coffee. I think after a few more weeks/months of rest, this will be a standout cigar. The draw was excellent the whole time, but the burn did wander. Right now I can personally give this a 91 (Very Good), and I think this will go up down the road.