Connoisseur’s Corner: La Palina Senator (Circa 1920)
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I lit up this little figurado, a La Palina rolled well before the outbreak of World War II. Bill Paley, who owns the brand, told me it was at least 100 years old, and it was almost certainly made with some Cuban tobacco but without the use of a cigar mold. The first puff gave me a light sweetness reminiscent of baked goods, with perhaps a touch of cinnamon, along with a persistent flinty flavor. After an inch or so, the cigar took on some orange peel notes, then it somehow found another gear, increasing in power and revealing some pepper. What a wonderful trip to the past. —David Savona
A fat, imposing smoke that is a slow starter, but once it warms up it comes to life on the palate. Crème Brûlée, honeyed tea, toasted wood and orange marmalade are all present, along with big notes of chocolate. The cigar burns like a charm and delivers big, rewarding flavor. —David Savona
Although this is ostensibly a 2013 release, the box is dated 2014. This was a limited edition from Illusione made in a slim Churchill size. It stays in the toasty, woody realm for an inch or so before clear notes of graham cracker, star anise, almond and dark, semisweet chocolate take shape. —Gregory Mottola
This small smoke, discovered on the bottom shelf of a busy cigar store in Havana, makes for an ideal morning puff. Packaged in a quaint slide-lid wooden box, this petit corona is toasty and lovely, showing notes of almond paste and orange peel, with a biscotti finish. A delight. —David Savona
