Review: Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 Exclusivo Suiza – Putting this fascinating Swiss regional edition to the test

The Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 Exclusivo Suiza is one of the most interesting new Habanos releases of 2026. It combines exceptional balance, remarkable maturity and classic Cuban elegance in a format that could almost be described as bold today. Box date ABR25. I have tested three of them. In my personal opinion, it is now almost at the zenith of its wonderful flavour. Available from 23 June 2026 at Casa del Habano in Switzerland and from 30 June 2026 at Habanos Specialists. The price is CHF 750 per box of 25.

The Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 now displays remarkable harmony. Particularly striking are the perfect balance between bitterness and a hint of acidity, a subtle natural tobacco sweetness, and a delicate mineral character that lends the blend additional depth.  

Brief summary for quick classification

The Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 is being released in a limited edition of 6,000 numbered boxes of 25 cigars, exclusively in Switzerland. Sales will begin on 23 June 2026 at Casa del Habano outlets across Switzerland and on 30 June 2026 at Habanos Specialists. The price is CHF 750 per box of 25. The vitola is based on the Laguito No. 2 format, with a length of 152 millimetres and a ring gauge of 38. Por Larrañaga is one of the oldest cigar brands still in production in the world. Since 1834, the brand has stood for a deliberately limited portfolio and high quality standards. Regional editions of Por Larrañaga therefore enjoy a special reputation among connoisseurs.  

Multiple identical stamps? This is not a mistake. Depending on local legislation, warning labels of different sizes are required. To ensure that at least one row of stamps remains visible even when the label is covered, the boxes are stamped multiple times.

The moment of pleasure

On a quiet afternoon, I light up a Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023, expecting to experience an interesting regional edition. Within minutes, it becomes clear that this is something far more than that.

The smoke rises gently. The leaf texture appears well-balanced, the smoke density pleasantly concentrated. Nothing pushes itself to the fore. Instead, an impression of calm and precision emerges. The clear message is this: this cigar does not rely on spectacular effects, but on its exceptional balance. That is precisely where its strength lies.

The key point about this blend is that the cigar isn’t about grand gestures, but about harmony. The three cigars I tested reveal vegetal depth**, natural tobacco sweetness, a subtle minerality and a remarkable consistency in the smoke’s texture. The cigar is exceptionally well-balanced and mild, reaching barely more than a strength of 2 out of 5 even towards the end. The burn is almost flawless.

**Vegetal depth means that the cigar tastes of nature – of fermented tobacco, which is sometimes described as having a hay-like scent, herbs and earth. But this is an illusion created by our brains; for it is tobacco, not a bite of soft earth.

The key to this consistency is that the individual components of the blend do not compete with one another, but work in harmony. The result is remarkable stability from start to finish, with greater depth emerging in the second half. Wonderful.

Why the smoke changes over time

A cigar does not evolve as it is smoked through a succession of different flavour profiles, but through the physical transformation of the same blend. This observation contradicts the principles of modern tobacco analysis („wood“, „caramel“, „chocolate“, „nuts“, etc.).

In concrete terms, this means for the smoking process:

As the cigar is smoked, the temperature, humidity and concentration of its components increase. This makes the cigar seem richer and more intense, without altering its true character.  

This is precisely what the Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 demonstrates. The balance remains intact. The depth increases. The smoke becomes more intense. Yet the blend remains true to its original character. The key point about this blend is that it never betrays itself.

Importance for aficionados

The Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 rewards a slow smoke. Those who take their time with it will experience remarkable consistency and a focus on the quality of the tobacco itself that has become a rarity.

The name „Intemporales“ aptly describes this cigar. It stands for timelessness, patience and the ability to consciously resist fleeting trends. At a time when cigars are becoming ever larger, the Laguito No. 2 is a testament to classic Cuban craftsmanship.  

What many misunderstand

Many enthusiasts equate complexity with constant change.

However, the true art of blending does not lie in constantly altering a cigar or continually coaxing out new flavours such as chocolate, caramel or nuts. True mastery lies in maintaining balance, harmony and identity throughout the entire smoking experience.

This perspective seems almost unfamiliar today. At events, you often hear descriptions such as «caramelised nuts», «dark chocolate», «espresso» or similar flavour profiles. But let’s be honest: how often do you actually notice these flavours yourself?

Until around mid-2026, I too belonged to that group of aficionados who wanted to describe every nuance as precisely as possible. Today, I see things differently. I no longer like the idea that a premium cigar is only considered complex if it constantly produces new flavour profiles.

It was Filippo Costi’s article, entitled «A premium cigar should taste of tobacco.». His thoughts have permanently changed the way I view cigars. Since then, I have paid less attention to supposed flavour profiles and more to what really matters: the quality of the tobacco, its balance, its depth, and a cigar’s ability to remain true to its own identity throughout the entire smoking experience.

The Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 impressively demonstrates precisely this kind of craftsmanship.

What are the defining characteristics of the Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023?

The Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 embodies a classic interpretation of Cuban cigar culture. This slender format is aimed at aficionados who value precision, finesse and balance over strength and volume.  

A wonderful vitola (size). The Laguito No. 2 measures 152 millimetres in length and has a ring gauge of 38.

The key mechanism of maturation and development

Fermentation and ageing have a decisive influence on the balance of a blend. Well-fermented tobaccos are more harmonious and structured, and the different leaf positions blend together more naturally. The ageing period of a cigar also plays an important role in this regard.

The draw is just right and it smoulders beautifully.

It is precisely this harmony that stands out in the Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023. The fermentation appears to have been exceptionally successful. Although the box date is ABR25, by June 2026 the cigar has already reached full maturity. This is no surprise, as the cigar is not strong in terms of nicotine. That is why it is already almost at the peak of its flavour.  

Conclusion – Review of Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023

For me, the Por Larrañaga Intemporales 2023 is one of the most compelling regional editions of recent years. It impresses not through strength, but through precision. Not through gimmicks, but through balance. Not through contrived flavour spectacles, but through the quality of the tobacco itself.

The perfect burn, the remarkable maturity, the delicate natural sweetness of the tobacco and the elegant mineral depth combine to create a profile that already feels exceptional.