Cigar Review: La Gran Llave

Cigar: La Gran Llave
Size: 5 1/2 x 60 (Guapo)
Wrapper: Mexico San Andrés
Binder: Ecuador Habano
Filler: Nicaragua Habano
Price: $8.99 per stick; $179.80 per box of 20 is the MSRP
Review samples provided by La Gran Llave Limited

La Gran Llave is a new collaboration between Michael Argenti, former President and CEO of Berger & Argenti, and Abdel Fernandez of AJ Fernandez Cigars. I remember a few months ago seeing the press release, drooling over the wrapper and immediately saying “I need to try one of those”. I emailed Michael Argenti and he responded saying he would try to get some out in a few weeks. Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I see an email from Michael. Having been a few months, the name looked and sounded familiar but I couldn’t immediate place it…until I remembered the cigar. Then I started to get excited. And it wasn’t long after his email that a generous sampler pack was waiting for me when I arrived home from work. And I will say, between the world turning itself on its head from corrupt politicians seemingly everywhere, terrorist attacks and a stressful several weeks at work, the La Gran Llave arrived at the right time.

No construction issues were found during my pre-light examination of the cigar. The pre-light aromas of the La Gran Llave were a nice blend of wood and something akin to cloves. I love the vitola on this cigar, as it lends itself perfectly for punching. The cold draw gave me floral notes on the palette. The light gave me a nicely balanced draw with opening notes of spice (all around the palette) and wood. I would character this in the medium to full bodied range with nothing starting out that would overpower your palette. The spice settled down after 17 minutes, leaving me to ride the woody notes right into the halfway point of the cigar. Just after that point was when I started noticing the return of spice, the inclusion of a dull pepper at the front of the palette and the floral notes found in the cold draw on the aftertaste. The last quarter gave me increased woody notes with a slight increase in overall strength to finish out the smoking of the cigar. Final smoking time was 1:19.

With one minor burn correction near the end of the cigar, the only problem I found with my review La Gran Llave was cosmetic. When I removed the band from the cigar, I found a couple of decently sized chips taken out of the wrapper (see above). Barring that, it was a pleasure to smoke and look forward to smoking one this evening.

By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 1.5/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 8.5/10

To recap the La Gran Llave:

• Barring the discovery of the chips in the wrapper, The La Gran Llave should have been a 9/10 easily.
• I enjoyed the balance of flavors and while I would consider this stronger than a standard medium bodied, I don’t think it will scare away newer smokers from trying it.
• Under $10 a stick. Always a plus for me.
• I would definitely buy these if I saw them in my local shops and will likely pick some up in the future.

I would like to thank Michael Argenti of La Gran Llave Limited for the samples and the opportunity to review the La Gran Llave. And to all of you, thank you very much for reading. I look forward to the next time I can share my thoughts with you.