BACKGROUND: This review is on the La Palina Classic Robusto. These cigars have been resting in my humidor a total of 1 year, 3 months and 4 days prior to this second and final review.

The La Palina Classic was one of two new blends launched in the summer of 2012. To make the La Palina Classic, brand owner Bill Paley turned to Abe Flores of PDR Cigars in the Dominican Republic. Flores opened an expanded factory operation in the Dominican Republic and besides making his own brand of cigars, he has been producing blends for the likes of Gurkha, Primer Mundo cigars and others.

To create the Classic, Paley and Flores started with a Dominican and Nicaraguan filler blend. They encased it in an Ecuadorian binder and then topped it off with a light and silky Brazilian-grown Habano seed wrapper.

This review features the 5-inch by 52 ring gauge Classic Robusto.

TASTING NOTES: A year ago when I reviewed this cigar, it started with bright grassy and hay-like notes. This time around the cigar also displayed a light grassiness, but was more rounded in flavor and displayed a good amount of nutty flavors and a natural tobacco sweetness on the finish. Retrohaling brought out sweet corn and vanilla notes. The extra year of age has definitely improved the balance and nuances.

The draw was smooth and the burn line was thin, but slightly off kilter due to a small tunnel on one side of the filler bunch. Otherwise, the ash was firm and held on for me to tap off in 1-inch chunks.

During the first half, the cigar was medium in body and strength and medium-full in flavor.

An extra year of age has been kind to this smoke, which has benefitted from mellowing and has developed more complexity.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The La Palina Classic Robusto is a cigar I would recommend to almost any cigar smoker. The flavor, body and strength profiles are easily approachable and the overall flavor is smooth, creamy and sweet, with a touch of grassy zest. All this makes for an interesting and challenging smoke and one that will appeal to a wide range of smoker preferences.

At around $7.50 per stick this is borderline expensive, but in keeping with many boutique offerings. (I would like to see this stick priced in the $6.50 range.) Otherwise, I can recommend this cigar highly and am confident that it will appeal to most smokers.

Final verdict: If it fits your pocketbook and taste preference, buy and enjoy.

~Doc