La Palina El Año 1896 Oscuro

Honoring the original La Palina cigar, first debuting in 1896, the modern La Palina company presents El Año 1896 Oscuro.

La Palina carries with it one of the most interesting backstories among today’s American-based brands. Samuel Paley, grandfather of La Palina’s current owner, Bill Paley, emigrated to America and opened his own cigar shop and factory in 1896 (Congress Cigar Company). When his son, William Paley, joined on as Vice President of Advertising in 1910, he began investing heavily in advertising, with the brand sponsoring a local radio program known as “The La Palina Hour.” William later moved entirely into the broadcasting industry, going on to found the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), and the La Palina brand was left to the history books when Sam retired in 1926. But in 2010, Bill Paley acquired the rights to the family name, introducing La Palina cigars for the modern era.

For La Palina El Año 1896 Oscuro, the company has partnered with Nestor Plasencia in Honduras. As the title suggests, the cigar is wrapped in an extra dark leaf, harvested from the Mexican San Andrés varietal. In addition, El Año 1896 Oscuro marks the first box-pressed cigar from La Palina, adding depth and complexity to this historical cigar. Expect a full body and rich flavors of spicy peppers, espresso, chocolate malt, and meaty, savory elements.