Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are rescoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the La Palina KB TXX. This cigar was a part of the 2022 TAA Exclusive Series. The regular production La Palina KB was a cigar previously assessed in the “Part 3” (Robusto) size back in December 2022.

La Palina KB TXX

Wrapper: Honduran Corojo ’99 Rosado
Binder: Honduran Criollo ’98 (Double binder)
Filler: Nicaraguan Corojo ’99 and Criollo ’98
Country of Origin: Honduras
Factory: Fábrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L.
Part Three: 5 x 52

In 2022, La Palina Cigars released the La Palina KB TXX. This was an exclusive line extension to the KB line that was a part of the 2022 Tobacconists Association of America (TAA) Exclusive Series.  The TXX is a special inverse figurado that features a rounded cap and a tapered footer.

The KB line has quite an extensive history on Cigar Coop, so we will recap it here before getting into the specifics of this line extension.

Back in 2011, La Palina Cigars introduced its second line, El Diario. This was a line meant to be an everyday smoke and was one meant to be more affordable than La Palina’s ultra-premium Family Series. El Diario went on to capture Cigar Coop’s #1 Cigar of the Year for 2011. The following year, a 4 1/4 x 40 petit corona line extension was released known as KB. The KB stood for “Kill Bill”, and it was named because the prototype of the sample that was given to La Palina owner Bill Paley threw him for a loop. Later that year a second KB size was added in the form of a 6 x 40 vitola, the KB II.

Fast forward to 2021 and La Palina made the decision to discontinue the El Diario line, but at the same time would launch a new line around KB. In addition to the KB and KB II sizes coming over, two new sizes were added and the vitolas were called Part One (4 1/2 x 40), Part Two (6 x 40, Part Three (5 x 52), and Part Four (6 x 54). Finally, the packaging went from ultra-classic to ultra-contemporary. Gone were the El Diario bands featuring Goldie Paley that adorned the KB releases. The artwork on the boxes and bands are now a cross between Asian and Pulp Fiction artwork, and features an image of Bill Paley with his eyes crossed out. The cigars are packaged in 30-count boxes.

TAA Exclusive Series consists of cigars made by leading manufacturers that are exclusively sold at TAA member retailers. The TAA is a small group of retailers. At press time the number of retailers is approximately 80. The TAA has defined itself as:

The Tobacconists’ Association of America, Ltd. is a trade organization established in 1968 by visionary retail tobacconists. By providing education, communication, research, advocacy, and member discount programs, The TAA works with our members and the industry they support to offer the tools and relationship building opportunities needed to maximize professionalism and success.

The following are the 13 cigars that made up the 2022 TAA Exclusive Series. Earlier this year, Cigar Coop made a decision to no longer devote extensive coverage to TAA cigars. While we haven’t completely eliminated TAA cigar coverage, there will be a significant drop-off on TAA cigars we report on or assess.

The following is a complete list of the La Palina TAA Exclusive releases.

The KB features a combination of Honduran and Nicaraguan Corojo and Criollo tobaccos. There is a Honduran Corojo wrapper, a double binder of Honduran Criollo and Nicaraguan Corojo and Criollo for the fillers. On paper, the tobaccos of the La Palina KB line appear the same as El Diario but the ratios were adjusted to achieve a stronger blend – much like the original El Diario KB that threw Bill Paley for a loop. Like El Diario, La Palina KB is produced in Honduras at the Raices Cubanas factory. The inverse figurado shape of the KB TXX measures 5 x 52. The cigars were presented in 30-count boxes.

The La Palina KB TXX delivered a mix of natural tobacco, earth, fruit, black pepper, and baker’s spice. Early on the natural tobacco dominated through the tapered section. The earth notes then joined the natural tobacco once the base of the cigar was released. The fruit, baker’s spice, and black pepper rounded off the flavor profile. The black pepper was quite prominent on the retro-hale. During the smoking experience, the black pepper increased on the tongue. By the final third, the black pepper was the most prominent note but didn’t make it into the forefront.

Throughout the entire smoking experience, the flavors of the La Palina KB TXX were full-bodied. Strengthwise, the KB TXX started out medium to full before progressing to full strength in the final third. Burnwise, the KB TXX didn’t require much maintenance to keep a straight burn path and straight burn line. The draw was a little more open than I prefer.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

If you map a path, the La Palina KB TXX is the first TAA cigar that can be mapped to a Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year. The TXX was a fun size to smoke, but ultimately I didn’t find it as good as the other sizes in the KB line.  The flavors seemed to mesh better on the other regular production sizes (most notably the Part Three). I also found the KB to be less complex than the El Diario. In the end, other than an interesting shape, the TXX simply was not a better cigar than the regular production sizes. In the end, I’d recommend trying a sample and see what you think.

Summary

Key Flavors: Natural Tobacco, Earth, Fruit, Pepper, Baker’s Spice
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Very Good
Complexity: Medium Minus
Strength: Medium to Full (1st 2/3), Full (Remainder)
Body: Full
Finish: Very Good

Rating

Value: Try a Sample
Score: 88

REFERENCES

Previous Assessment: La Palina KB Part Three
News: n/a
Price: $12.50
Source: Purchased
Brand Reference: La Palina

Photo Credit: Cigar Coop