La Barba Red Corona
📌 Brand: La Barba
📌 Line: Red
📌 Size: Corona (5 ½" x 46)
📌 Weight: 13.g
📌 Age: 10 years
📌 Origin: Honduras
Tasting Notes
Red Pepper – Bold kick of spice up front
Cocoa – Sweet earthiness as the profile develops
Espresso – Rich bitterness with depth
Leather & Earth – A rustic, lingering close
First Impressions
The La Barba Red Corona wears a medium-brown Habano Corojo wrapper with subtle oil and visible seams. It feels firm and well-constructed. The pre-light draw delivers spice and earth, hinting at the lively ride ahead.
Smoking Experience
First Third – A burst of red pepper spice hits immediately, balanced by dry cedar and hints of dark cocoa. Draw is tight, producing not much satisfying smoke output.
Second Third – The cigar mellows slightly, allowing espresso and chocolate notes to emerge, layered with earthy undertones. Complexity builds without losing its edge.
Final Third – Stronger flavors of leather and earth dominate, with spice reappearing. The burn stays even but construction don`t holds to the end.
Pairings
Alcohol: A rye whiskey - WhistlePig 10 amplifies the spice and cocoa interplay.
Non-Alcohol: Earl Gray tea complements its peppery character.
Music Pairing
The Black Keys’ - “Gold on the Ceiling” fits perfectly, bringing raw blues-rock energy to match the cigar’s lively spice.
Final Thoughts
La Barba Red Corona is a vibrant, medium-to-full cigar with personality. Perfect for smokers who enjoy spice balanced by richness. Not overly refined, but bold and satisfying—a great companion for an evening pour.
Final Score: 5/10
Why not a 10?
Spice can dominate, slightly muting some subtler flavors in the final stretch.
Relight 3 times, mostly second third
Touch once towards the end
Only cigars that deliver flawless draw, balance, flavour evolution, construction and satisfaction get a 10.