This 6" x 50 torpedo is a beauty to look at, perfectly constructed with a light brown (dark tan?), veiny Connecticut shade wrapper that isn't as toothy as some others from that state. It's properly firm but not rock hard, and before lighting, has the typical CT earthy, leathery aroma. Its an appearance that makes you look forward to lighting up.

And when you do, you're almost immediately rewarded. There's a very forward toasty taste, one I find very reminiscent of some breakfast cereals, a taste I find (or think I find) often in CT wrapped cigars. I like it. At the very start, there's also a bit of pepperiness thru the sinus, and on thru the finish ... white pepper blended with a bit of cardamom and coriander. The draw is perfect, just the barest hint of resistance that allows it to be lush without being sloppy. After five minutes , the burn is nicely even and the pepperiness has diminished, letting the Wheaties/Cheerios flavor dominate.

Another layer of taste makes it way in after another ten minutes or so. It's familiar, like ... what? ... an oatmeal cookie? Maybe, but closer to a gingersnap, I think. At 15 minutes , the smoke is smooth, but with a bit of edginess I like, especially on the finish -- in the mouth, the feel isn't the mouth-filling creaminess of, say, a Don Carlos, an Avo maddie or a Puros Indios; rather it's more silky and finely textured. Nearing a half-hour , the burn is still cool and even, and the original mottled dark and light grey ash is still on. But not for long ... it gave way to gravity on its own accord at 33 minutes.

Just about now, a little of that early cardamom/coriander spiciness sneaks into the background again. Still, to me, the flavor is rather like what you'd get if you stirred gingersnap crumbs into the milk left in the bottom of a big bowl of Wheaties.

The burn hasn't varied much for the duration. No touch-ups have been necessary and it never came close to going out. I do think it seemed to burn just a bit hotter for maybe the last 15 minutes of so ... I dunno. Maybe I was just puffing a little too frequently, but I wasn't that surprised to find some residual tar built up on the cut near the end of the smoke. That notwithstanding, those toasty flavors, the lush draw and even burn and the silky texture of the smoke made this one of the most enjoyable hours I've had with a cigar I've had in a while.

The Por Larranago isn't an inexpensive stogie at around $9 full retail, but for a weekend afternoon, I found it perfect. I'm putting it on my short (well, not THAT short) list of favorites, and I'm also gonna put some away and see how they'll taste in three or four month. My sense is that they'll age exceedingly well.

Jack great review. Nice pictures too. Ever thought about becoming a hand model. You have the most exquisite pair of hands. I loved that epidsode of Seinfeld. Seriously the pictures really help a new guy like myself. All the different names become one big blur. I'm definately going to have to give this one a try. Ginger snaps are my favorite cookie so if I can get that flavor in a cigar I'll be set.

jack, a very nice review, as usual...I like a Poe Larranaga every once in a while, even though i've never had the pyramid, due to your review, i'll look for them...thanks.

Nice review, I smoked some of these a year or so ago, but can't remember much about them (common problem when you try lots of different 'gars...plus the old memory ain't what it used to be). I guess I'll have to re-visit them again.

....great photography, but I still can't figure out how you can keep the end of your cigars so pristine looking while you smoke them.....I guess I just slobber all over mine.

Very nice review, and I really appreciate your great photography to go with it. I haven't tried one of these, but I like a good CT shade smoke so I'll have to round one up to try. Granted, it has to be very good before I'll put it in my humidor, cause I don't like bland tasting CT shade smokes, but sounds like it may be my cup of tea.

Thanks again

Mike