Cigar Insider reviews the Kill Bill by La Palina Cigars
1
FEATURED CIGAR BEST CIGARS THIS ISSUE POINTS THIS CIGAR ALMOST KILLED ITS OWNER. Prototypes of this tiny smoke were so strong that La Palina brand owner Bill Paley couldn’t finish it, and half-jokingly dubbed the size Kill Bill. Officially called K.B., this petit corona is packed with power. It’s the newest addition to the La Palina El Diario line, and took our top score of the issue with 93 points. For details on the brand, see page two. LA PALINA, KILL BILL! La Palina El Diario K.B. Honduras 93 Arturo Fuente Rosado Sungrown Vitola 44 Dom. Rep. 92 Vault by Toraño Toro Nicaragua 92 H. Upmann Half Corona Cuba 91 Vault by Toraño Corona Gorda Nicaragua 91 La Palina El Diario Churchill and Robusto Honduras 89 Vault by Toraño Torpedo Nicaragua 89 93 LA PALINA EL DIARIO K.B. HONDURAS Q PRICE: $8.75 Q BODY: FULL For a full tasting, see page two. Cigar Insider internet only FEBRUARY 7, 2012 Q VOL. 17, NO. 3 Q FROM THE PUBLISHER OF CIGAR AFICIONADO MAGAZINE NEW RELEASE—VERTICAL BRAND TASTING Country: Honduras Maker: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L. Distributor: La Palina Cigars Filler: Nicaragua Binder: Honduras Wrapper: Honduras Release Date: August 2011 LA PALINA EL DIARIO K.B. 93 POINTS Q 4 1/4" x 40 Q $8.75 Q Humidor Selection A powerful, meaty cigar with an open draw that delivers a lot of bold smoke for such a small size. Concentrated pepper, cedar and earth lead to an apple-like finish. Body: Full BRAND SUMMARY: The La Palina cigar brand originated more than 100 years ago, when it was made in the United States from Cuban tobacco. The vintage mark was created by Samuel S. Paley, father to veteran broadcaster and CBS founder William S. Paley, and it was the famous broadcaster’s son Bill who took an interest in the cigar industry and brought back La Palina in June 2010. The first version was made in the Bahamas by Graycliff, but it is quite expensive, with retail prices ranging from $18 to $23. Bill Paley decided that La Palina needed a more affordable price reduction, so he created the La Palina El Diario, a line that amped up the strength while toning down the price. El Diario is made in Honduras at the Raices Cubanas factory. The blend consists of a Honduran Corojo ‘99 rosado wrapper, Honduran Criollo ‘98 binder and Nicaraguan filler consisting of Corojo ‘99 and Criollo ‘98. El Diario translates from Spanish to “the daily,” which is meant to set the tone for the brand, intended by Paley to be an everyday smoke. The most memorable was the K.B., which stands for Kill Bill. The smoke was so powerful that it was jokingly referred to as a cigar that would “kill Bill,” as in the owner. The name stuck, but on top of packing a punch, the cigar has loads of flavor, and stood out in this tasting with a score of 93 points. Average Rating: 88.8 points
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In this issue of Cigar Insider, the La Palina Cigars' Kill Bill is given a tasting rating of 93.
Transcript of Cigar Insider reviews the Kill Bill by La Palina Cigars
TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.CIGARINSIDER.COM
Cigar Insiderinternet only
FEATURED CIGAR
BEST CIGARS THIS ISSUE
POINTS
IN THIS ISSUE:
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
TASTING REPORT:
FEBRUARY 7, 2012 Q VOL. 17, NO. 3 Q FROM THE PUBLISHER OF CIGAR AFICIONADO MAGAZINE
THIS CIGAR ALMOST KILLED ITS OWNER.Prototypes of this tiny smoke were so strong that La Palina brand owner Bill Paley couldn’t finish it, and half-jokingly dubbed the size Kill Bill. Officially called K.B., this petit corona is packed with power. It’s the newest addition to the La Palina El Diario line, and took our top score of the issue with 93 points. For details on the brand, see page two.
LA PALINA, KILL BILL!
La Palina El Diario K.B. Honduras 93
Arturo Fuente Rosado Sungrown Vitola 44 Dom. Rep. 92
Vault by Toraño Toro Nicaragua 92
H. Upmann Half Corona Cuba 91
Vault by Toraño Corona Gorda Nicaragua 91
La Palina El Diario Churchill and Robusto Honduras 89
Vault by Toraño Torpedo Nicaragua 89
93LA PALINA EL DIARIO K.B.HONDURAS Q PRICE: $8.75 Q BODY: FULLFor a full tasting, see page two.
CIGAR NEWSQ Changing History: Cuba’s New Cigar Bands No Longer Have Owners’ Names [page 4]
Q Commemorative Fuente Fuente OpusX [page 4]
Q Padrón Making 60 Ring [page 5]
Q José Seijas Leaves Altadis [page 5]
Q Humidipak Changing to Boveda [page 6]
Q EOBrands Co-Founder Departs [page 6]
Q General’s New Sizes [page 7]
Q EPC Short Run: Maduro Plus Natural [page 7]
Q Room 101 One Shot, One Kill [page 7]
Q Indiana Smoke Ban [page 8]
VERTICAL BRAND TASTINGS:
Q La Palina El Diario [page 2]Q Vault By Toraño [page 3]
NEW SIZES:
Q Arturo Fuente Rosado Sungrown Magnum R Vitola 44 [page 3]Q H. Upmann Half Corona [page 3]
TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.CIGARINSIDER.COM
NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT BETWEEN THESE PUNCH BANDS? They’re both gold and red, and both have the same heraldic design, but there is a difference. The words “Manuel Lopez” no longer appear on the new version of Cuba’s Punch band (far left). Lopez owned Punch before the brand was nationalized by the Cuban government, and Habanos S.A., the worldwide distributor of Cuban cigars, has omitted the name from the newly minted bands. Punch is not the only one. The Partagás band no longer has the words “Cifuentes y Cia.,” a reference to the brand’s pre-Revolution owner, and new Romeo y Julieta bands no longer read “Rodriquez Arguellez y Cia.” The old names have been part of the design for decades, but Cuba decided it was time for a change. Read our story on page four.
NEW CUBAN BANDS OMIT OLD COMPANY NAMES
TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.CIGARINSIDER.COM
Cigar Insiderinternet only
FEATURED CIGAR
BEST CIGARS THIS ISSUE
POINTS
IN THIS ISSUE:
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
TASTING REPORT:
FEBRUARY 7, 2012 Q VOL. 17, NO. 3 Q FROM THE PUBLISHER OF CIGAR AFICIONADO MAGAZINE
THIS CIGAR ALMOST KILLED ITS OWNER.Prototypes of this tiny smoke were so strong that La Palina brand owner Bill Paley couldn’t finish it, and half-jokingly dubbed the size Kill Bill. Officially called K.B., this petit corona is packed with power. It’s the newest addition to the La Palina El Diario line, and took our top score of the issue with 93 points. For details on the brand, see page two.
LA PALINA, KILL BILL!
La Palina El Diario K.B. Honduras 93
Arturo Fuente Rosado Sungrown Vitola 44 Dom. Rep. 92
Vault by Toraño Toro Nicaragua 92
H. Upmann Half Corona Cuba 91
Vault by Toraño Corona Gorda Nicaragua 91
La Palina El Diario Churchill and Robusto Honduras 89
Vault by Toraño Torpedo Nicaragua 89
93LA PALINA EL DIARIO K.B.HONDURAS Q PRICE: $8.75 Q BODY: FULLFor a full tasting, see page two.
CIGAR NEWSQ Changing History: Cuba’s New Cigar Bands No Longer Have Owners’ Names [page 4]
Q Commemorative Fuente Fuente OpusX [page 4]
Q Padrón Making 60 Ring [page 5]
Q José Seijas Leaves Altadis [page 5]
Q Humidipak Changing to Boveda [page 6]
Q EOBrands Co-Founder Departs [page 6]
Q General’s New Sizes [page 7]
Q EPC Short Run: Maduro Plus Natural [page 7]
Q Room 101 One Shot, One Kill [page 7]
Q Indiana Smoke Ban [page 8]
VERTICAL BRAND TASTINGS:
Q La Palina El Diario [page 2]Q Vault By Toraño [page 3]
NEW SIZES:
Q Arturo Fuente Rosado Sungrown Magnum R Vitola 44 [page 3]Q H. Upmann Half Corona [page 3]
TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.CIGARINSIDER.COM
NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT BETWEEN THESE PUNCH BANDS? They’re both gold and red, and both have the same heraldic design, but there is a difference. The words “Manuel Lopez” no longer appear on the new version of Cuba’s Punch band (far left). Lopez owned Punch before the brand was nationalized by the Cuban government, and Habanos S.A., the worldwide distributor of Cuban cigars, has omitted the name from the newly minted bands. Punch is not the only one. The Partagás band no longer has the words “Cifuentes y Cia.,” a reference to the brand’s pre-Revolution owner, and new Romeo y Julieta bands no longer read “Rodriquez Arguellez y Cia.” The old names have been part of the design for decades, but Cuba decided it was time for a change. Read our story on page four.
NEW CUBAN BANDS OMIT OLD COMPANY NAMES
Cigar InsiderCLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.CIGARINSIDER.COM February 7, 20122
95-100: Classic Q 90-94: Outstanding Q 80-89: Very good to excellent Q 70-79: Average to good commercial quality
Below 70: Don’t waste your money Q N/A: Not Available Note: Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail, before taxes.
TASTING REPORT
K.B.93 POINTS Q 4 1/4" x 40 Q $8.75 Q Humidor SelectionA powerful, meaty cigar with an open draw that delivers a lot of bold smoke for such a small size. Concentrated pepper, cedar and earth lead to an apple-like finish.Body: Full
CHURCHILL89 POINTS Q 7" x 50 Q $11.30Dark, oily and alluring in appearance, this Churchill begins with a grassy note that ushers in floral flavors, spices, licorice and tarragon.Body: Medium
ROBUSTO89 POINTS Q 5" x 52 Q $9.80This robusto has a notably firm draw, but strikes a balance between white pepper flavors, woody notes and a slightly sweet, floral aftertaste.Body: Medium
TORPEDO88 POINTS Q 6 1/8" x 52 Q $11.35A dark, veiny torpedo that draws and burns evenly. First puffs are toasty and earthy with some flinty flavors and slightly sweet touches of caramel.Body: Medium
GORDO87 POINTS Q 6" x 58 Q $11.55A very thick cigar that has a flinty taste at first. As the draw improves it takes on some cedary flavors and roasted-meat notes. Body: Medium
TORO87 POINTS Q 6" x 50 Q $10.00Oily and dark with a neat cap and veiny wrapper, though difficult to keep lit. Woody, herbal flavors underscore hints of pepper and straw.Body: Medium
BRAND SUMMARY: The La Palina cigar brand originated more than 100 years ago, when it was made in the United States from Cuban tobacco. The vintage mark was created by Samuel S. Paley, father to veteran broadcaster and CBS founder William S. Paley, and it was the famous broadcaster’s son Bill who took an interest in the cigar industry and brought back La Palina in June 2010. The first version was made in the Bahamas by Graycliff, but it is quite expensive, with retail prices ranging from $18 to $23. Bill Paley decided that La Palina needed a more affordable price reduction, so he created the La Palina El Diario, a line that amped up the strength while toning down the price. El Diario is made in Honduras at the Raices Cubanas factory. The blend consists of a Honduran Corojo ‘99 rosado wrapper, Honduran Criollo ‘98 binder and Nicaraguan filler consisting of Corojo ‘99 and Criollo ‘98. El Diario translates from Spanish to “the daily,” which is meant to set the tone for the brand, intended by Paley to be an everyday smoke. The most memorable was the K.B., which stands for Kill Bill. The smoke was so powerful that it was jokingly referred to as a cigar that would “kill Bill,” as in the owner. The name stuck, but on top of packing a punch, the cigar has loads of flavor, and stood out in this tasting with a score of 93 points.Average Rating: 88.8 points
NEW RELEASE—VERTICAL BRAND TASTINGCountry: Honduras
Maker: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L.
Distributor: La Palina Cigars
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras
Release Date: August 2011
LA PALINA EL DIARIO
For the latest from Cigar Aficionado, follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/CigarAficMag
Cigar InsiderCLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.CIGARINSIDER.COM February 7, 20122
95-100: Classic Q 90-94: Outstanding Q 80-89: Very good to excellent Q 70-79: Average to good commercial quality
Below 70: Don’t waste your money Q N/A: Not Available Note: Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail, before taxes.
TASTING REPORT
K.B.93 POINTS Q 4 1/4" x 40 Q $8.75 Q Humidor SelectionA powerful, meaty cigar with an open draw that delivers a lot of bold smoke for such a small size. Concentrated pepper, cedar and earth lead to an apple-like finish.Body: Full
CHURCHILL89 POINTS Q 7" x 50 Q $11.30Dark, oily and alluring in appearance, this Churchill begins with a grassy note that ushers in floral flavors, spices, licorice and tarragon.Body: Medium
ROBUSTO89 POINTS Q 5" x 52 Q $9.80This robusto has a notably firm draw, but strikes a balance between white pepper flavors, woody notes and a slightly sweet, floral aftertaste.Body: Medium
TORPEDO88 POINTS Q 6 1/8" x 52 Q $11.35A dark, veiny torpedo that draws and burns evenly. First puffs are toasty and earthy with some flinty flavors and slightly sweet touches of caramel.Body: Medium
GORDO87 POINTS Q 6" x 58 Q $11.55A very thick cigar that has a flinty taste at first. As the draw improves it takes on some cedary flavors and roasted-meat notes. Body: Medium
TORO87 POINTS Q 6" x 50 Q $10.00Oily and dark with a neat cap and veiny wrapper, though difficult to keep lit. Woody, herbal flavors underscore hints of pepper and straw.Body: Medium
BRAND SUMMARY: The La Palina cigar brand originated more than 100 years ago, when it was made in the United States from Cuban tobacco. The vintage mark was created by Samuel S. Paley, father to veteran broadcaster and CBS founder William S. Paley, and it was the famous broadcaster’s son Bill who took an interest in the cigar industry and brought back La Palina in June 2010. The first version was made in the Bahamas by Graycliff, but it is quite expensive, with retail prices ranging from $18 to $23. Bill Paley decided that La Palina needed a more affordable price reduction, so he created the La Palina El Diario, a line that amped up the strength while toning down the price. El Diario is made in Honduras at the Raices Cubanas factory. The blend consists of a Honduran Corojo ‘99 rosado wrapper, Honduran Criollo ‘98 binder and Nicaraguan filler consisting of Corojo ‘99 and Criollo ‘98. El Diario translates from Spanish to “the daily,” which is meant to set the tone for the brand, intended by Paley to be an everyday smoke. The most memorable was the K.B., which stands for Kill Bill. The smoke was so powerful that it was jokingly referred to as a cigar that would “kill Bill,” as in the owner. The name stuck, but on top of packing a punch, the cigar has loads of flavor, and stood out in this tasting with a score of 93 points.Average Rating: 88.8 points
NEW RELEASE—VERTICAL BRAND TASTINGCountry: Honduras
Maker: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L.
Distributor: La Palina Cigars
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras
Release Date: August 2011
LA PALINA EL DIARIO
For the latest from Cigar Aficionado, follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/CigarAficMag
Cigar InsiderCLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
TO SUBSCRIBE GO TO WWW.CIGARINSIDER.COM February 7, 20122
95-100: Classic Q 90-94: Outstanding Q 80-89: Very good to excellent Q 70-79: Average to good commercial quality
Below 70: Don’t waste your money Q N/A: Not Available Note: Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail, before taxes.
TASTING REPORT
K.B.93 POINTS Q 4 1/4" x 40 Q $8.75 Q Humidor SelectionA powerful, meaty cigar with an open draw that delivers a lot of bold smoke for such a small size. Concentrated pepper, cedar and earth lead to an apple-like finish.Body: Full
CHURCHILL89 POINTS Q 7" x 50 Q $11.30Dark, oily and alluring in appearance, this Churchill begins with a grassy note that ushers in floral flavors, spices, licorice and tarragon.Body: Medium
ROBUSTO89 POINTS Q 5" x 52 Q $9.80This robusto has a notably firm draw, but strikes a balance between white pepper flavors, woody notes and a slightly sweet, floral aftertaste.Body: Medium
TORPEDO88 POINTS Q 6 1/8" x 52 Q $11.35A dark, veiny torpedo that draws and burns evenly. First puffs are toasty and earthy with some flinty flavors and slightly sweet touches of caramel.Body: Medium
GORDO87 POINTS Q 6" x 58 Q $11.55A very thick cigar that has a flinty taste at first. As the draw improves it takes on some cedary flavors and roasted-meat notes. Body: Medium
TORO87 POINTS Q 6" x 50 Q $10.00Oily and dark with a neat cap and veiny wrapper, though difficult to keep lit. Woody, herbal flavors underscore hints of pepper and straw.Body: Medium
BRAND SUMMARY: The La Palina cigar brand originated more than 100 years ago, when it was made in the United States from Cuban tobacco. The vintage mark was created by Samuel S. Paley, father to veteran broadcaster and CBS founder William S. Paley, and it was the famous broadcaster’s son Bill who took an interest in the cigar industry and brought back La Palina in June 2010. The first version was made in the Bahamas by Graycliff, but it is quite expensive, with retail prices ranging from $18 to $23. Bill Paley decided that La Palina needed a more affordable price reduction, so he created the La Palina El Diario, a line that amped up the strength while toning down the price. El Diario is made in Honduras at the Raices Cubanas factory. The blend consists of a Honduran Corojo ‘99 rosado wrapper, Honduran Criollo ‘98 binder and Nicaraguan filler consisting of Corojo ‘99 and Criollo ‘98. El Diario translates from Spanish to “the daily,” which is meant to set the tone for the brand, intended by Paley to be an everyday smoke. The most memorable was the K.B., which stands for Kill Bill. The smoke was so powerful that it was jokingly referred to as a cigar that would “kill Bill,” as in the owner. The name stuck, but on top of packing a punch, the cigar has loads of flavor, and stood out in this tasting with a score of 93 points.Average Rating: 88.8 points
NEW RELEASE—VERTICAL BRAND TASTINGCountry: Honduras
Maker: Fabrica de Tabacos Raices Cubanas S. de R.L.
Distributor: La Palina Cigars
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Honduras
Wrapper: Honduras
Release Date: August 2011
LA PALINA EL DIARIO
For the latest from Cigar Aficionado, follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/CigarAficMag
