Description
La Palina Illumination
Size: Colonial (5¼″ × 44), Robusto (5″ × 52), Lancero (7½″ × 38), Belicoso (6″ × 50)
Vitola: Parejo with triple cap (Lancero features pigtail cap)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Ecuadorian
Fillers: Dominican & Nicaraguan long-fillers, replaces Goldie’s Medio Tiempo with high-priming ligero
Flavor Notes: Cedar, black & white pepper, cashew, honey, cinnamon, floral hints, earth, spice, leather
Pairing Notes: Medium-roast coffee, honey-ale, light bourbon, vanilla pastries, floral tea
Manufacturer: La Palina (El Titan de Bronze factory, Miami, FL; revived by William C. Paley, grandson of founder)
Privada Storytelling
Illumination is La Palina’s accessible “everyday Goldie”—crafted in the same Miami factory but built for broader enjoyment. It captures refined Ecuadorian-Habano pleasure with a spice-forward punch, honoring heritage without exclusivity. In Privada’s collection, it’s the approachable illumination—elegant, balanced, and full-smoked without pretense.
Flavor Journey
This smoke opens with crisp cedar and pepper, balanced by sweet honey and cashew. Floral and cinnamon overtones underscore a medium-plus body. Mid-smoke introduces leather and earthy depth, while spice and retrohale heat gently increase. In the final third, creamy sweetness returns alongside lasting cedar and pepper, finishing smooth and refined. Despite occasional burn relights in longer formats, the flavor arc remains polished and engaging over ~90 minutes.
Why It Belongs in Privada
Privada values depth delivered without fuss—and Illumination delivers just that. It channels Goldie’s luxury with a bolder ligero twist, yet stays accessible and dependable. It’s the daily companion that respects ritual—smooth under pressure and complex enough to matter.