Last month we posted a news story about the rerelease of the Viaje Oro La Pequeña. While it is part of the Oro line and thus uses the same blend, the size is something different and unique to the rest.

La Pequeña was originally rolled for the Habana Smoke Shop in 2009, however, Andre Farkas loved the size so much that he decided to give it to Good Karma Cigar as a store exclusive. This iteration of the La Pequeña was rolled earlier this year and says specifically on the bottom of the box “Hecho Para Good Karma”.

The boxes for the La Pequeña look like this:

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Now you know the background, so let’s get to the review.

• Cigar Reviewed: Viaje Oro La Pequeña (2012)
• Country of Origin: Honduras
• Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L. (Raíces Cubanas)
• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo 99
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Size: 4 3/4 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 50/52
• Vitola: Perfecto
• MSRP: $8.40 (Boxes of 25, $210.00)
• Date Released: October 26, 2012
• Number of Cigars Released: 80 Boxes of 25 Cigars (2,000 Total Cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked for Review: 3

The wrapper is a mottled roasted almond color and has a soft silky feel to it even though it doesn’t necessarily feel delicate. It has many visible veins though none are very large so you can’t really feel them. It’s firm without any soft spots. The aroma off the wrapper is only a slight barnyard note and the cold draw is a pleasant light coffee and sweet tobacco flavor.

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The La Pequeña begins the first third with a tight draw which isn’t surprising with the perfecto foot. The first notes I get are sweet cocoa, light roasted coffee, and some hazelnut. Overall it’s very smooth and creamy and any sort of bite or peppery kick is completely absent. The burn had a little trouble around the perfecto bulge, but isn’t too far off. The ash is a dark gray on white and held very solid to almost an inch before I ashed it. The burn has evened up very nicely and the draw has of course opened up well after I got past the bulge. A little cinnamon note has crept up into the cocoa, coffee, and an aged tobacco laced profile.

While there is plenty of smoke production in the second third, it’s not much of a surprise for a Nicaraguan puro. The draw has stayed nice and open as well. Flavor-wise not much has changed, basically the same cocoa, coffee, and occasional cinnamon while still staying very smooth. The Viaje is very solidly constructed with one attempt allowing the ash to easily hold on to over an inch. The burn has stayed very consistent and required no touch ups.

By the final third, I can’t say there hasn’t been much development past the cocoa, coffee, and hazelnut.  The cinnamon creeps in and out and the whole profile is light and creamy. Definitely enjoyable even if it’s not overly interesting. With a little under an inch left I finished the cigar without any harshness.

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Final Notes:

• The name “La Pequeña” literally translates into “the small” and the cigar definitely has a small appearance and feel in your hand.
• As noted in Patrick’s Viaje Oro Reserva review, the tobacco used in the Reserva line are aged more than the regular production Oro line. We were told that even though the blend for the La Pequeña uses the same tobaccos as the rest of the Oro line, because of certain circumstances the tobaccos used for this project ended up being aged more than the Reserva tobaccos are.
• The original La Pequeña were rolled in 2009 but the 80 boxes released for Good Karma Cigar were rolled earlier this year.
• The Oro line is a yearly release along with the Platino line. While only 80 boxes of these have been produced so far, Good Karma has the rights to request these once a year. This means that there is a good possibility we’ll see them released again sometime next year.
• The boxes include a Good Karma tax stamp.
• These samples were sent to halfwheel by Good Karma Cigar.
• Final smoking time was about an hour and 45 minutes.
• As of this review being posted there are still 37 boxes of these available. You can call Good Karma Cigar at 806.373.8116 to order a box or a five pack and don’t forget to let them know halfwheel sent you.

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The Bottom Line: This was a good cigar and I’m sure that Viaje fans will want to grab a box while they can. I smoked two with mineral water and one with coffee and they went nicely with both. The flavors are robust enough to stand up by themselves but paired nicely with the coffee as well. The flavor profile made this a nice mild to medium bodied cigar with a medium strength to it. As stated in the final third, while the cigar didn’t develop or change much — if any — the profile was pleasant enough that I can’t say I was bored or unhappy with it. I think the La Pequeña was a little small for the price of $8.40, but that’s my personal opinion and I know plenty of people are willing to pay that for smaller limited edition cigars. If you are that person, a Viaje fan, or even just want to go out on a limb and smoke a good cigar I can easily recommend picking up a box of these to add to your collection.

Final Score: 90

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If you would like to win a five-pack of Viaje Oro La Pequeña courtesy of Good Karma Cigar, leave a comment.
Contest ends one week from post. Rules here.