First rolled to celebrate La Palina's 125-year history, the significance of the smoke being assessed today cannot be overstated. Not only does it honor one of the most unique, family-operated cigar companies in America, but it is also a really rare, 100% Nicaraguan puro throwback blend.
While the original La Palina line from the late 1800s and early 1900s was predominantly preoccupied with Cuban and American tobacco leaf, this honorary anniversary stick is more of a new-world spin on an original. It is also an Oliva product from start to finish, which to the best of our knowledge makes it the only other blend outside of the La Palina 1948 to be made for the brand by this illustrious cigar manufacturer.
But back to the blend... Note the banding and packaging, which closely resembles what the original line looked like over a century ago. Adding even more old-school flavor to the mix is the fact that batches of 125 Años come packaged inside 37-count glass jars, just like what you would find at the local hardware store or Five & Dime back in the day.
Launched in late 2021, with a limited run of just 300 jars hitting the market, the La Palina 125 Años has only been rereleased in extremely limited quantities a few times since. It is also an undisclosed smoke, so we really don't know what tobacco strains are used. All we know is that they come from Oliva's top crops, and that is why only a select few hundred sticks are shipped to retailers every year. Oh, and we also are privy to the fact that each batch gets an extra half-year of conditioning in the Oliva aging rooms post-production.
But rarity and history don't influence a damn thing when it comes time to savor and assess a cigar flavor profile. That has everything to do with the quality of the crop, proper fermentation and aging, the skillful hands of the artisans that handle each leaf, and having a really good blend in mind from the get-go. All of which, this La Palina limited release seems to have in its deck, along with a few wildcards.
Unlit Impressions
Mottled to the point of being considered medium-heavy in my eyes, the Colorado Rosado-hued wrapper evokes thoughts of cedar shavings and rose water, along with a sprinkle of sweet sage for an herbal finish. Crisply wrapped and expertly bunched and filled, this is Oliva quality control at its finest, and my only regret is that the pigtailed cap on my review cigar somehow has gone missing. Surely due to its extended year-long stint in my Kobi humidor.
Graham cracker familiarity and raw brown sugar lure you deeper as the foot is inspected, with a plank or two of Spanish cedar sitting beside some vanilla bean and sun-dried tobacco leaf smells. Unlit pulls are far more heavily aged tasting, with leather-bound books, parchment paper, mixed sweet and spicy cedar, and a dried bouquet of floral notes resting upon the tongue.
Sitting atop the faded crimson and gold matte band sits Goldie, the matriarch of the family, and the figurehead pictured on much of the La Palina line. On the back, there is a stamping of the anniversary year, with the number 2021 sitting beside a little pull tab with the initials LP in the center. An 1896 sits on the other end of the band, commemorating the company's founding; but this cannot be seen until the band is removed, and even then it typically gets damaged during removal. Snazzy and equally retro, this period-correct cigar band has to be one of the slickest bands I have encountered in a while and is definitely being added to the collection.
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Initial Smoke
Sweet and spicy cedar shines first, and for the most part, lingers through much of the aftertaste and medium-length finish. Vanilla and graham cracker notes from unlit aromatics enjoy a brief moment in the spotlight as an increasingly rich corojo tobacco taste begins to build.
1st Half
Although the corojo flavors of black tea and mixed herb teas steal a good bit of your attention, the tongue detects some of that rose water and the tiniest touch of desert sage. Unlit impressions continue to ring true, as that zippy Spanish cedar dry and sweet note enraptures and returns a darker, stronger, and far spicier retrohale.
Salted butter smooths out any sharpness as the first third finishes up its presentation, with a little bit of funk and spice on exhale providing extra personality. Still floral up front, and loaded with bits of graham cracker and sun-grown tobacco leatheriness, the way the smoke hits your tongue and the way in which it leaves the nostrils and mouth is quite different.
Complexity is further enhanced by a perfect draw that makes you work just hard enough, with a medium-bodied smoke texture touching the tongue. Strength is on the low end of medium, while flavor is on the upper side of this centralized section.
2nd Half
Retrohales grow rounder and smoother with every draw, the mixture of herb tea, dried flowers, and roastiness resonate strongly with the senses. Still undeniably floral more than anything else, the rosado-colored wrapper soldiers on with one evenly lined carbon ring after another. Body and strength have now reached the upper end of medium, as flavor is pushing for full.
Roasted, toasted, and bready as can be at times, the final third delivers some really pleasant cigar flavor profiles that are bold yet balanced. However, this uptick in virility means a rather spicy smoking section, along with the flavor of pine resin at times. Both of which can be off-putting to certain palates.
Parting Puffs
Still cedar-like and heavily spiced, the tannin flavors of mixed tea take a break and allow some dried oak flavors to perform. While this may not be the most complex parting puffs you will ever experience, it does taste good, with the roundness of the retrohales and the lack of spiciness upon the nose making for an excellent little "cigar side quest."
Ash / Burn / Smoke / Draw
Mixed reviews were handed out for construction and burn on both cigars I smoked. On one side, there is the ash, which will grow large and remain fairly white throughout. But it flakes a lot the further down you go and has the tendency to get hot for no reason at times. My review cigar also needed a large touch-up to keep flavors in the final third on point, which resulted in parting puffs being a touch too hot in hand.
The draw and the smoke that came forth were outstanding though, with a medium-full body and a medium flow rate resulting in a truly divine puff each time.
Final Thoughts
I like almost everything about this cigar, and I am still unsure as to exactly why that is. Could it be the corojo flavors and copious amounts of cedar? Or is it the never-ending retrohales of refinement and richly layered texture of floral smoke? Perhaps it is the retro banding and the Oliva-grade construction and slow burn rate?
The more I think about it, the more I recognize that it's all of the above, plus a good bit more. This isn't a cigar that you have to try. It is one you should savor, suggest to others, and if possible, stock up on. Preferably by the box... I mean jar.
Flavor, Aroma & Transitions
Depth & Complexity
Construction, Burn & Physical Appeal
Backstory & Branding
Overall Balance & Repeatability
Stogie Specs
Cigar |
La Palina "125 Años" |
Wrapper |
Nicaragua |
Binder |
Nicaragua |
Filler |
Nicaragua |
Factory |
Nicaragua |
Size |
5 ¼″ x 52 (Robusto) |
Strength |
Medium-Full |
Pairing Drink |
Homemade Citrus & Pear Soda |
Rating |
4.6/5 |