La Perla Habana Classic

The La Perla Habana brand has been around for a long time, I believe first getting into the game during the cigar boom of the 90s. Initially, they got a lot of love, with some high ratings from the critics, but it’s been a while since they’ve been in any cigar industry headlines. To be honest with you, my experiences with this brand have been few and far in between. But on a rainy day sifting through my humidor a La Perla Habana Classic Robusto caught my eye.

I couldn’t tell you where it came from, or how long it’s been sitting in my humidor, but the cellophane is not yet yellowed. Looks can always be deceiving when it comes to cigars. Ugly-looking cigars sometimes perform great, and beautiful-looking cigars can easily go south. Considering the price point these come at, it’s a gorgous stick. The wrapper is leathery to the touch and even in color, with a tightly applied cap.

In the first third, the profile is easygoing and inviting. It draws smooth with mellower notes of earth and cedar. An inch in, and the burn line is razor sharp. The ash falls off after about an inch and a half.

Moving into the second third, the flavors are a little more present. It still has an earthy, cedary base, but turns leathery, and a subtle peppery note is introduced on the retro-hale.

Transitioning from the second to the last third of the cigar, some new flavors enter the fray. I can’t quite put my finger on what to call it, but I want to say it reminds me of black licorice as I draw it in, and as I wash the smoke over my palate and exhale, there’s a really pleasant creaminess to it.

As I wrap it up, I’m pleasantly surprised by what this cigar has to offer. It looked good to the eye and burned great the entire time. The flavors are mellow and approachable to any level cigar smoker, but kept me entertained with some subtle transitions throughout.

It’s always fun to stumble on an random cigar that really delivers an experience you weren’t quite expecting. Especially when it’s a brand that’s priced as well as La Perla Habana Classic. I’ll be grabbing a box and adding this blend into my normal rotation without a doubt.