Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 Review: Balance of the highest order

Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 Review / Regional editions often come with a certain level of anticipation. This is particularly true of Por Larrañaga, as the brand rarely releases exclusive editions. The Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 Exclusivo Suiza is being released in a limited edition of 6,000 numbered boxes, each containing 25 cigars. Sales will begin on 23 June 2026 at Casa del Habano outlets across Switzerland and on 30 June 2026 at Habanos Specialists. The box date of my test cigars is ABR25. I smoked three cigars for this review. After just a few minutes, a character emerged that focuses less on variation and more on exceptional harmony.

Observed during the tasting

• Smoke pattern: dense, calm and steady
• Balance: exceptionally harmonious
• Development: continuously, as the depth increases
• Strength: 1/5 → 2/5
• Design: rolled very neatly
• Burn-up: even, no after-ignition
• Ageing potential: currently almost at its zenith

Smoke pattern – How does the smoke behave?

The smoke production remains remarkably consistent from the first to the last third. The density of the smoke increases slightly as the cigar progresses, without losing any of its elegance. It is precisely this calm consistency that allows the blend to unfold its structure without interruption.

The Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 impresses with a smooth draw and an even burn. Its consistent smoke profile remains the same from the first puff to the last.

Balance – How harmonious is the blend?

Balance is one of the most striking characteristics of this regional edition. A subtle natural bitterness, light acidity, a delicate tobacco sweetness and a restrained mineral note complement one another without any single component dominating. The individual tobaccos work in harmony with one another rather than against each other. This creates an exceptionally cohesive overall impression.

Invitation from Zigarren.Zone

Development – Is the cigar changing?

The development is not sudden, but gradual. As the cigar is smoked for longer, the flavour profile becomes slightly more concentrated and the cigar gains depth. However, its fundamental balance is maintained.

This behaviour is consistent with the physical evolution of a well-balanced blend: the temperature, humidity and concentration of the smoke’s constituents change whilst the cigar is being smoked, without the cigar losing its identity.

Strength – How does strength develop?

The Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 is one of the milder Cuban cigars. It starts at around 1 of 5 and, towards the end, barely reaches more than 2 out of 5.

The strength develops slowly and in a controlled manner. This ensures that the cigar remains exceptionally approachable throughout the entire smoking experience.

A look at the head of the cigar. The construction of this part affects how evenly the smoke flows through the cigar.

Construction and burn – How clean is the cigar?

All three samples tested demonstrated a very consistent standard of workmanship. The draw resistance was within the ideal range, the burn was even, and no re-lighting was required.

The ash also remained stable, which is a testament to the careful rolling process.

The effects of fermentation and ageing

The Box Date ABR25 means that around 14 months have passed between production and tasting.

This ageing period seems to have done the cigar a world of good. The tobaccos appear to be fully integrated, the balance seems well-rounded, and the initial freshness of young cigars has all but disappeared.

Based on my three tastings, the Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 is already very close to its peak flavour. Further ageing is likely to alter subtle nuances rather than its fundamental character.

At a glance

• Brand: Por Larrañaga
• Vitola (format): (Intemporales), Laguito No. 2, Panetela
• Length: 152 mm
• Ring size: 38
• Origin: Cuba
• Edition: Exclusivo Switzerland 2023
• Edition: 6,000 numbered crates
• Box Date: ABR25
• Tasting notes: June 2026
• Estimated age: approx. 14 months
• Strength: 1/5 → 2/5
• Price: CHF 750 (box of 25)

Conclusion

The Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 Review This regional edition is characterised by tranquillity, balance and precision. Rather than relying on pronounced shifts in flavour, the blend focuses on a consistent development, a harmonious smoking profile and a remarkably well-achieved maturity. Aficionados in particular who value subtle differences in balance and craftsmanship more highly than strength will find here a cigar with a distinct identity and great consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Further reading

• How aroma descriptions are created – and where their limitations lie

Sources and background information

This article is based on my tasting of the cigar described, drawing on my own experience as a cigar connoisseur since 1996, as well as on specialist literature on tobacco, fermentation, ageing and the physical processes that occur during smoking. In addition, recent scientific publications on tobacco fermentation and on heat and mass transfer in tobacco have been taken into account.

• Hu, W. et al. (2022): Study on the chemical compositions and microbial communities of cigar tobacco leaves fermented with an exogenous additive. Scientific Reports. → Fermentation, chemical changes and microbial processes in cigar tobacco.  
• (2023) Study on the correlation between the dominant microflora and the main flavour compounds in the fermentation process of cigar tobacco leaves → Investigates the relationships between dominant microorganisms and key chemical indicators.