La Palina No. 2 cigars have a heritage dating back to the 19th century when Samuel Paley launched La Palina cigars as a tribute to his wife. From 1896, skip ahead to 2018 and the long-overdue third installment in the line.
Given new life by General Cigar, La Palina No. 2 is a heritage brand of artisan Cuban cigars containing Honduran and Nicaraguan fillers, a Honduran binder, and a silky smooth Costa Rican wrapper. What’s more, it boasts a medium-bodied result and an intriguing flavor profile.
Look out for a dark and decadent mix of leather, coffee, chocolate, and spices that will bring your palate to life and evoke your nostalgia for the golden age of Cuban cigars. Available in boxes of 20 from Cigars.com, this piece of history retails at a price that offers amazing value for a premium cigar with such a long-held heritage behind it.
Brand Overview
Chicago cigar shop owner Sam Paley launched La Palina cigars in 1896 and enjoyed several decades of success before the Great Depression forced him out of business. Sam’s grandson, Bill Paley, decided to resurrect the brand, and the result is the La Palina brand we know today.
Other standout stars from the brand’s portfolio include La Palina No. 1, which is also available from Cigars.com. Nicaraguan and Honduran aged long fillers this time sit within a Costa Rican binder and Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, creating a nutty, chocolatey, and leathery flavor profile that’s become a favorite among aficionados.
The success of the relaunched La Palina brand is a testament to Bill Paley, who not only brought back the name but also the craftsmanship of his grandfather’s cigars — honoring his grandmother in the process.
Cigar specs
- Country of Origin: Honduras
- Strength: Medium
- Wrapper: Costa Rica
- Binder: Honduras
- Filler: Honduras / Nicaragua
- Smoke Time: Approx. 1 hour 20 minutes (Robusto)
- Sizes Available:
- La Palina No. 2 Robusto (5.5 x 50)
- La Palina No. 2 Gordo (6 x 60)
- La Palina No. 2 Toro (6.5 x 52)
Cold draw
La Palina No. 2 is worth making time for, and even the Robusto will last around 80 minutes or more, depending on how quickly you smoke. Allow your palate to prepare for the experience by sampling the cigar’s barnyard aroma and woody foot before lighting up and settling in.
First Third
The woody notes from the cold draw continue right out of the gate in the first third, combined with deep earthy and leathery tones. On top, there’s a pleasant flavor of roasted coffee beans, with a sprinkling of white pepper heat on the retrohales. Sensitive palates may detect hints of baking spices at times too.
Second Third
Around the middle third, La Palina No. 2 settles into its stride, with a consistent medium strength and that mature profile of leather, earth, coffee, and wood tempered by a creamy, almost chocolatey quality. Some of the heat fades from the retrohales, leaving a thick, velvety smoke that enhances the complexities in the flavors.
Final Third
La Palina No. 2 ends with a savory flavor profile as the sweetness fades, ensuring it’s enjoyable right down to the last puff without becoming sickly at any point. Dark roast coffee beans and toasted nuts come to the fore, while the consistent woody bottom note remains throughout, providing a common thread from the cold draw right down to the stub.
Final Thoughts
La Palina No. 2 honors a 120-year heritage and brings 19th-century Cuban cigar craftsmanship to a 21st-century market. The old ideas are combined with modern methods to produce a premium cigar that lives up to its name. Along with La Palina No. 1, Bill Paley’s revival of his grandfather’s brand has rightfully earned its place as a popular addition to many cigar smokers’ humidors.
With three vitolas to choose from, the smallest is the 5.5 x 50 Robusto, which should give you 80-90 minutes of smoke time at a steady pace. But if you like the sound of La Palina No. 2, go for the 6.5 x 52 Toro or the 6 x 60 Gordo and experience the full glory of No. 2.