Por Larranaga Petit Corona LEP OCT 16 (XNYRW1)

[Jfeath74]

Friday night after a long week, had a couple whiskies while watching the Beatles Get Back documentary and decided to fire up a cigar and take some notes for a review. 

Dry boxed a PLPC for a few days after scoring a much needed backup on 24:24 earlier this week. Also was lucky enough to get the new Stagg Jr batch 16 this week. Figured these two power houses should bring the Friday night buzz I was looking for. 

The cigar is from a 2016 PSP box which has a dark oily maduro wrapper with lots of sheen. Some parts of the wrapper appear a bit rugged but it is silky smooth to the touch. Draw cold is a tad on the loose side, but not to the point where I have much concern. 

The whiskey is a semi annual release from Buffalo Trace’s beloved mash bill #1. Stagg Jr. is typically a batch blend of barrels aged 7-9 years, straight from the barrel, uncut & unfiltered, coming in on batch 16 at 65.45% ABV.

Get back is putting me in a Beatles mood, I throw on Abbey Road and kick back with my PLPC and Stagg Jr. 

Whiskey - heat up front , maple syrup & vanilla notes on the mid pallet, breathing fire on the finish. 

1/3 - Getting notes of leather & cream, lots of spice, more vegetal spice then baking spice. Almost a note of raw jalapeño, which is something I’m not sure I’ve noticed in previous cigars. It’s a full bodied power house, am I talking about the cigar or Stagg? Both seem to be pretty punchy. Getting more of a maple syrup sweetness with ball punching fire in the whiskey and creamy vegetal spice on the cigar. Friday night buzz, check. 

2/3 - Was hoping some caramel notes from the cigar would mingle with the maple syrup notes from the bourbon, but I’m really just getting spice from the cigar and heat from the whiskey. More vegetal notes from the cigar, raw bell peppers & jalapeños, leather. Still a lush coating texture from the smoke, but creamy flavor starts to fade to more predominant earth notes. Draw is a little loose, leading one side to burn faster then the other. 

3/3 - I don’t hate the cigar, but I don’t love it either. Fire in the chest, fire in the throat and mouth, pretty much feel like a dragon. It very well could be the high proof hooch is drowning out some potential secondary notes on the cigar, but at this point everything taste spicy. I’m starting to think pairing a full bodied cigar with a barrel proof whiskey may not have been the best idea. It certainly has my pallet feeling a blown out. Burn has been a little wonky on one side, had to touch up a couple times. 

I tap out during the middle of sun king, next time mr mustard, time for bed.

Smoke time about 40 minutes 

Construction 8/10

Draw 7/10

Burn 6/10

Aroma 9/10

Complexity 7/10

Value 8/10

Taste 30/40

Score 75

*Low score could very well be a result a poor pairing choice. 

[JoshD]

Great review and picking up the Jr. was an awesome snag!!!  I totally concur on the pairing.....barrel proofs can definitely be overwhelming to me when trying to find any flavors in a cigar, especially after the 4th or 5th sip.  However, that doesn't mean you can't turn your brain off for an hour and just enjoy them together!