With a long and lustrous history dating back to its founding in 1834 by Ignacio Larrañaga, it stands among the oldest Cuban cigar brands still thriving today. Like many legacies, Por Larrañaga’s journey has seen its share of highs and lows.
Highs, lows and a legacy that remains
Even in the 19th century, Por Larrañaga had already earned a reputation for producing high-quality yet accessible premium cigars, enjoyed as much by the elite as by the working class.
Under the management of Antonio Rivero Martínez, the brand became the first Cuban cigar factory to introduce machine-made cigars in 1925. While the move was intended to boost production, it sparked a revolt among the Torcedors (master cigar rollers), who feared losing their craft, a skill requiring years of training and experience, to automation. The dispute ultimately ended with the Torcedors returning to the factory and the machines being sent back to the United States.
Despite its reputation for quality, Por Larrañaga faced challenging times in the 1970s due to waning demand, a situation further worsened in the 1990s by trademark disputes that limited exports to only a few markets, including Canada and the Middle East. This forced the brand to focus largely on machine-made cigars.
A revival came in 2002, when Por Larrañaga shifted its attention back to handmade cigars, unveiling an entirely new portfolio. In the years since, the brand has reclaimed its standing for quality and accessible luxury, highlighted by releases such as the Picadores - a blend first introduced in the 1970s and reissued in 2014.
You can read my full impressions of this cigar below. But first…
If you’d like to explore more about Por Larrañaga, be sure to check out our other articles here.
Por Larranaga Picadores review
Living up to Por Larrañaga’s reputation, the Picadores boasts excellent construction, making full use of fine Pinar del Río tobacco. Rolled into a Hermoso No. 4 vitola, it measures 5 inches in length with a 48 ring gauge.
The draw begins slightly on the tight side, with a medium strength. On the palate, I detected earthy oak, sweet dark chocolate, subtle bitter espresso, and a gentle warmth of black pepper.
By the second third, the strength settles into a light-to-medium profile. The bitterness recedes, allowing the oaky and sweeter notes to shine alongside the peppery undertones. With the draw now more open, the smoke becomes relaxed and unhurried.
In the final third, it felt almost as though I’d smoked the cigar in reverse… Beginning with medium strength and ending with a light, silky finish. Most flavours softened here, with the exception of the warm pepper notes, which persisted and intensified toward the end.
The Picadores is an excellent choice for those who prefer their Cuban cigars on the lighter side, as well as for anyone wishing to experience Por Larrañaga for the first time.
If you’d like to try more from their range, click here to view the full Por Larrañaga line.
Written by Josh Atherton
Part of the Dominique London Group
