La Flor de Cano: Petit Coronas

I could not track down a La Corona, so the next cigar I will try as part of my cigar challenge is from the La Flor de Cano cigar brand. I will be smoking a La Flor de Cano Petit Coronas cigar.

The stats:

Length: 4 7/8”
Ring Gauge: 40
Strength: Mild
Country of origin: Cuba
Cost: £11.95 at Havana House

Background:

The La Flor de Cano cigar brand was established in 1884 by Don Tomás and José Cano. Rolled in the same factory as El Rey del Mundo, Sancho Panza, and Rafael González cigars.

This brand of cigars are handmade using Cuban tobacco from Vuelta Abajo and Semi Vuelta, Cuba.

I recently heard that Cuban cigars are always made using leaves from Cuba, e.g. a Cuban wrapper, filler and binder. The technical name for this is the ‘puro’ (a cigar blended with tobacco from a single country). Whilst Non-Cuban / New world cigars tend to have wrappers, fillers and binders from various countries. This probably sounds like a really naive fact for those reading this and thinking 🤦‍♂️. Please do let me know if I have misinterpreted that information, but a fascinating new finding for me as I learn more about cigars – mindblown 🤯.

The Flor De Cano Petit Coronas tends to be quite a low price cigar compared to other Cuban cigars. And as this cigar is a mild one, some say this is a perfect cigar to try for beginners.

It is also worth pointing out, that this is not to be confused with the Nicaraguan rum of a nearly identical name, which I recently tried on a visit to No 6 Cavendish Square.

My experience:

The most immediate distinct difference between the Flor De Cano Petit Coronas cigar and other cigars is the cedar packaging wrapped around the cigar – underneath the cigar band. I have yet to find the benefit this gives to the cigar, assuming it must enhance the experience, or maybe it is just a gimmick.

I am not a fan of removing the cigar band before lighting my cigar, which I am forced to in this instance. I can’t believe I am becoming such a cigar snob, but that’s where my preference lies. This cigar reminds me of the Fonseca Delicias cigar, which put me in the same situation.

Before lighting, I took a quick whiff of the cedar, and it smelt pretty zesty, almost lime-like, which was not what I was expecting.

Underneath the cedar packaging, the cigar looked quite tight and veiny.

I found this to be an ok smoke. It was a pretty smooth and mild cigar with lots of aromas. At some points, I could taste sweet marzipan, and towards the final third of the cigar, I got what I can only describe as a perfumery / floral type of flavour – this was a surprise!

My rating: 6 out of 10 – whilst it was an ok smoke, I won’t be returning to this particular cigar. I do not like the size of this cigar, the ring gauge is too small for me, and I hate the cedar packaging.

Next up… a La Gloria Cubana!