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Sumatra wrapper · Medium · Limited release

La Palina 1948: flavour profile and cigars like it

La Palina 1948 is a handmade cigar made in Nicaragua. Its published strength is medium. It has a Sumatra wrapper grown in Ecuador and filler from Nicaragua. The tasting notes in our sources point to cream, cedar, earth, pepper and cocoa.

If you like it, the closest matches in the palate test are Bossner Black Edition and Black Works Studio S&R (Sumatra).

Published by Breaking Cigars · Editorial contact: Anatolie Clevan · Sources read · Corrected after an independent fact check, · How we built this

La Palina 1948 cigar
Photo: klarocigars.com. Background and framing by Breaking Cigars.

What does La Palina 1948 taste like?

CreamCedarEarthPepperCocoaSweetFruitHerbal
Our flavour map: the eight flavour families named in the tasting notes we cite.
  • cream and nuts
  • cedar and wood
  • earth and leather
  • pepper and spice
  • cocoa and coffee

How strong is it, and what's in it?

WrapperEcuadorian Sumatra, sun-grown and aged two years
BinderNicaraguan
FillerNicaraguan long-filler
StrengthMedium as published by thompsoncigar.com
BodyMedium to medium-full during the reviewed Toro
Made inNicaragua
Made byLa Palina Cigars; Oliva Cigar Co.; Not disclosed
FactoryTABOLISA, Estelí
SizesRobusto 5×52 · Diadema 6×46 · Toro 6×52 · Churchill 7×52

Strength here means nicotine, which mostly comes from the filler. Wrapper colour is not a strength guide.

What reviewers say

  • cigaraficionado.com: 91 points, Toro, 6 x 52 (2024)In our words: The rating noted leather, oak, chocolate, nuts, coffee, pepper, and an inconsistent draw.
  • cigar-coop.com: 84 points, Toro, 6 x 52 (2024)In our words: The reviewer found the draw excellent. He found the flavour development weak.

Scores as published by the magazine or retailer, for the size named. Notes are our summary of the review, not quotes. We don't score cigars ourselves.

About La Palina 1948

The line. La Palina introduced 1948 at PCA 2023 for Bill Paley’s 75th birthday. cigar-coop.com

The brand. Samuel Paley founded La Palina in 1896. The brand retired when he did in 1926. Bill Paley revived it in 2009. cigar-coop.com

Cigars like La Palina 1948

  1. Bossner Black EditionClosest matchWrapper style not published · MediumAlso made in Nicaragua, about the same strength.
  2. Black Works Studio S&R (Sumatra)Also fitsSumatra wrapper · MediumSame Sumatra wrapper family, also made in Nicaragua, about the same strength.
  3. Alfambra El BrujitoAlso fitsHabano wrapper · Medium to medium-fullAlso made in Nicaragua, about the same strength.
  4. La Palina 125 AñosAlso fitsWrapper style not published · Medium to medium-fullAlso made in Nicaragua, less cream and nuts, about the same strength.
  5. La Gloria Cubana EsteliOne step furtherWrapper style not published · Medium to fullAlso made in Nicaragua, a step stronger.

Picked by the palate test's own engine, as if you named La Palina 1948 as a favourite: never more than one strength step above it, plain tobacco only, one cigar per brand.

Sources