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Por Larrañaga: Por Larranaga Galanes
Por Larrañaga
Founded in 1834, Por Larrañaga is the oldest continuous-production cigar brand in the Habanos portfolio. Known for a medium-bodied blend and a distinctive caramel sweetness that develops over time, the marque maintains a small but highly respected core range. Today, it remains a firm favourite among traditionalists who appreciate the long-term maturation potential of classic Havana sizes.
A Historic Havana Marque
Established by Ignacio Larrañaga, a Spanish immigrant who arrived in Havana, the house has outlived countless other Cuban cigar manufacturers. It holds the distinction of being the first factory to produce machine-made cigars in Cuba during the 1920s, before a series of strikes forced a return to entirely handmade production. Over nearly two centuries, it has adapted to changing tastes while retaining its fundamental character. Unlike larger, mass-market brands, Por Larrañaga operates today with a tightly focused portfolio that appeals to serious smokers rather than casual buyers.
The brand's survival through revolutions, nationalisation, and shifting global markets is a direct result of consistent blending and a steadfast commitment to quality. The tobacco is sourced entirely from the Vuelta Abajo zone, ensuring the quintessential Cuban flavour profile is maintained. For collectors, the distinctive gold bands are a reassuring sight in any well-maintained humidor, representing a direct link to the golden age of Havana cigar manufacturing.
The Core Portfolio
The regular-production range is remarkably compact, consisting of just three main cigars. Each offers a distinct smoking experience, yet all share the brand's signature medium strength. The most iconic is the Petit Coronas, rolled in the classic Marevas vitola de galera measuring 129mm by a 42 ring gauge. It is a cornerstone of British smoking culture, often bought by the dress box of twenty-five or in fifty-count cabinets and laid down for years before the first cigar is drawn.
The Montecarlos provides a contrasting format for those who prefer an elegant, elongated smoke. This slim parejo, officially classified as a Deliciosos, measures 159mm with a slender 33 ring gauge. Rolling a cigar of these exact dimensions requires highly skilled torcedores to ensure an open, consistent draw. It offers a cooler, more concentrated smoking experience that perfectly highlights the floral and light woody notes of the underlying blend.
In 2020, Habanos introduced the Galanes to satisfy modern preferences for heavier ring gauges without compromising the brand's traditional style. At 120mm by a 52 ring gauge, it sits comfortably in the broader robusto category. The Galanes delivers the characteristic Por Larrañaga sweetness but with a more voluminous smoke output and a cooler burn rate from the very first draw, making it approachable even without extensive ageing.
Por Larrañaga: Por Larranaga Petit Coronas
Edición Regional Releases
While the core range remains small, Por Larrañaga is frequently selected by regional distributors for limited editions. These releases offer the classic house blend in formats outside the standard catalogue, often reviving discontinued vitolas or introducing entirely new sizes. The brand has been particularly prominent in the UK Regional Edition programme, reflecting the historical affinity British smokers have for the marque.
Notable British releases include the Magnifico from 2007, the Sobresalientes from 2014, and the Larrañaga 47 from 2021. These cigars are highly collectible, strictly limited in production numbers, and often appreciate in value as they mature. Other international distributors have also commissioned impressive sizes, such as the Fenix for the Phoenicia region in 2021 and the Leones for Spain in 2023.
Collectors looking to acquire these regional editions should pay close attention to provenance and verify all packaging details. Limited editions are frequent targets for counterfeiters seeking to capitalise on high market demand. We strongly recommend consulting our guide on spotting fake Cuban cigars to ensure your purchases are genuine, particularly when buying in the secondary market.
Buying and Ageing
Por Larrañaga is widely considered one of the best candidates in the Habanos portfolio for long-term ageing. Fresh boxes, particularly of the Petit Coronas, can sometimes present an abrasive, slightly closed profile in their youth. However, when laid down in a stable environment at around 65% relative humidity and 18°C, the blend undergoes a remarkable transformation. Over time, the rough edges soften into a rich, complex profile dominated by notes of light honey, toasted vanilla, and cedar.
When purchasing, always verify the factory and date stamp on the underside of the box. Understanding cigar box codes is essential, as a box with three to five years of age will smoke very differently from one rolled in the current calendar year. For buyers in the United Kingdom, the EMS (English Market Selection) stamp provides an additional layer of quality assurance and indicates that the box has passed through rigorous import checks.
Proper storage is non-negotiable for these cigars if they are to reach their full potential. Temperature fluctuations must be avoided to protect the fragile wrappers and preserve the essential oils within the filler leaves. A well-aged Por Larrañaga is a delicate instrument that repays careful, patient keeping with an exceptionally refined smoking experience.
Specifications
The following table details the key vitolas associated with the house, encompassing both the regular-production core range and selected regional editions.
Galanes — Vitola de Galera: Galanes — Length (mm): 120 — Ring Gauge: 52 — Status: Regular Production
Montecarlos — Vitola de Galera: Deliciosos — Length (mm): 159 — Ring Gauge: 33 — Status: Regular Production
Petit Coronas — Vitola de Galera: Marevas — Length (mm): 129 — Ring Gauge: 42 — Status: Regular Production
Fenix (ER Phoenicia 2021) — Vitola de Galera: Check box code — Length (mm): Check box code — Ring Gauge: Check box code — Status: Regional Edition
Leones (ER España 2023) — Vitola de Galera: Check box code — Length (mm): Check box code — Ring Gauge: Check box code — Status: Regional Edition
Larrañaga 47 (ER Gran Bretaña 2021) — Vitola de Galera: Check box code — Length (mm): Check box code — Ring Gauge: Check box code — Status: Regional Edition
At MokaCigar
We source and verify a selection of Por Larrañaga releases, from meticulously aged core production boxes to scarce limited editions. At present, our climate-controlled humidors hold the impressive Por Larrañaga Fenix Edición Regional Phoenicia 2021 and the Por Larrañaga Leones Edición Regional España 2023, alongside other carefully curated stock. Discover our current holdings on the Por Larrañaga shop page.
In our cellar
In stock now:
Sold-out archive (10 releases, enquiries welcome): Por Larranaga 47 ER Gran Bretana 2021 Launch Gift Pack 01.11.2023, Por Larranaga Encantos RE Asia Pacific 2010, Por Larranaga Larranaga 47 Edicion Regional Gran Bretana 2021, Por Larranaga Magnifico UK Regional 2007, Por Larranaga Magnums 1960(s), Por Larranaga Petit Corona, Por Larranaga Picadores, Por Larranaga Regalias de Londres UK Regional 2010 - EMS, Por Larranaga Robostos De Larranaga Asia Pacific Regional Edition 2007, Por Larranaga Sobresalientes UK Regional 2014.