Y Panda Cigar by Luciano Cigars
Embark on a journey of resilience, complexity, and innovation with the Y Panda Cigar—a co-blended masterpiece from the Luciano Cigars Family, inspired by the extraordinary story of Linxu “Panda” Yan and his partnership with Luciano Meirelles. Crafted to symbolize the yin and yang of adversity and triumph, Y Panda disrupts tradition with its intriguing blend and full spectrum of flavors.
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo 98 Colorado—meticulously aged for an oily, flawless presentation
- Binder:
Dual binder of Brazilian Arapiraca and Ecuadorian Sumatra—introduces mild sweetness and unique complexity - Filler: Jalapa Viso and Estelí Seco (Nicaragua)—crafting balance, subtle strength, and evolving depth
- Profile/body: Medium—blends rich sweetness, savory notes, and aromatic spice in harmony
- Flavor journey:
- Opens with raisin and molasses sweetness, progressing to caramel, chocolate, rich coffee, and baking spice
- Hints of star anise, cinnamon, black pepper, and a subtle mineral finish balance sweet and spicy notes
- Transitions bring wisps of earth, cedar, and light, woodsy undertones; finishes with lingering coffee sweetness, mild spice, and finesse
- Construction: Impeccable—smooth draw, ample smoke, long, chunky ash, and beautiful combustion; reviewers note sturdy consistency across formats
- User consensus: Universally acclaimed as a standout blend—flavorful, balanced, elegant, and satisfying; many call it among the best releases of 2023 and a must-try from Luciano
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Corojo 98 Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Brazilian Arapiraca & Ecuadorian Sumatra |
| Filler | Jalapa Viso & Estelí Seco (Nicaragua) |
| Profile/Body | Medium |
| Main Flavors | Raisin, caramel, chocolate, coffee, baking spice, star anise, cedar, wood, mineral, mild pepper, light earth |
| Standout Features | Unique co-blend, dual binder, symbolically rich story, construction excellence |
Summary
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Corojo 98 Colorado
- Binder: Brazilian Arapiraca & Ecuadorian Sumatra
- Filler: Nicaraguan Jalapa Viso & Estelí Seco
- Profile: Medium, complex, flavor-forward
- Main Flavors: Sweetness (raisin, caramel), chocolate, coffee, baking spice, mild pepper, cedar
- Construction: Outstanding draw, burn, and ash
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Y Panda unique?
Its collaboration between Panda Yan and Luciano Meirelles, dual binder, and a blend that emphasizes both sweet and spicy in perfect harmony—symbolizing yin and yang.
Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes—medium body, not overpowering but offers rich complexity for experienced smokers as well.
What’s the strength and main flavor focus?
Medium-bodied with layers of sweet molasses/caramel, chocolate, coffee, mild baking spices, and subtle minerals or wood.
How is the construction and performance?
Impeccable—long ash, clean burn, and excellent draw, making it an enjoyable and reliable smoke in all sizes.
| Selection | Box – Sublime 6 1/2 x 54, 5 Pack – Sublime 6 1/2 x 54, Single – Sublime 6 1/2 x 54, Box – Robusto 5 x 50, 5 Pack – Robusto 5 x 50, Single – Robusto 5 x 50, Box – Toro 6 x 52, 5 Pack – Toro 6 x 52, Single – Toro 6 x 52, Box – Corona Gorda 5 5/8 x 46, 5 Pack – Corona Gorda 5 5/8 x 46, Single – Corona Gorda 5 5/8 x 46 |
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acoma87 (verified owner) –
This is hands down one of the most unique sticks I’ve smoked lately. It’s a collaboration cigar, they tried to do something different here. The wrapper is beautiful and smooth, and the draw was perfect right off the cut. I loved the balance, it’s not just a ‘pepper bomb’ or a ‘leather stick.’ It has a tangy, citrusy sweetness mixed with earth that keeps you coming back. It burns slow and straight, so you get your money’s worth. Definitely grab a couple.
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Dana Lowry (verified owner) –
I’ve never had even a mediocre cigar from Luciano. Creamy, hints of cocao, licorice, and nuts, and a mellow quality that’s not boring all work in its favor. A tad pricey, but at least it tastes like a $12 cigar.
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alinaqvi32 (verified owner) –
This cigar opened with a pleasant raisin sweetness, followed by rich caramel that balances the chocolate notes. Baking spices added depth, with a hint of star anise that enhanced the profile. It settles into a medium body, a light woodiness appeared, blending beautifully with the sweet and spicy elements for a well-rounded experience.
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Anonymous (verified owner) –
I was excited to try this based off of the previous reviews. From this I got earthiness, baking spice and some cedar. This never got above medium for me. The construction was beautiful. Great draw and burn. Loved everything about this flavor bomb. Another great stick from Luciano.
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DC (verified owner) –
The Y Panda is a complex and flavorful smoke. It starts with notes of spice, earth, and cedar, transitioning to a rich blend of coffee, chocolate, and a hint of sweetness. The draw is smooth, and the construction is top-notch. Overall, a truly enjoyable and satisfying experience. Would recommend to both experienced and new cigar smokers.
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Cricken (verified owner) –
So far I’ve only tried the Corona Gorda but have the Toro and Robusto to try, as well.
Very nice medium body, medium strength cigar. There’s a lingering coffee sweetness on the palate that is really enjoyable. If you retro, you can pick up a light/medium spice that adds a great balance to the profile.
Construction was great and ash fell off in 1.5 in chunks. and never had to touch up or relight.
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contrerast3 (verified owner) –
This is a delicious cigar! Another banger from Luciano right here. One of those cigars I keep coming back to. Smooth, sweet and well balanced.
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Justin White (verified owner) –
This was an excellent cigar in the first two thirds, but dropped off at the end. In the front end of the experience I got lots of molasses sweetness mixed with savory nutty flavors, rounded out with both a pleasant mineral quality and a cinnamon and black pepper spice profile. Nice draw, good smoke output, unfortunately in the final third the cigar just seemed to eat bogged down. Instead of burning and drawing nicely it started to smolder, and the flavors started getting acrid. I took my time with it and purged it a few times but to no avail. Hopefully that was just an outlier, as most of Lucianos stuff has impressed me. I will be trying this one again, dud ending or not, the front half was good enough to warrant a revisit.
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Alexander S (verified owner) –
This cigar has a beautiful transition between each third. I really enjoyed the slight sweetness throughout the cigar that must have been coming from the double binder with Brazilian Arapiraca and Ecuadorian Sumatra. The Nicaraguan fillers give it a really nice body and medium strength. This cigar was blended amazingly.
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Lou Cross (verified owner) –
I had the pleasure of smoking one of these right after the PCA tradeshow this year. I immediately pre-ordered a box of the YPanda corona gorda and have smoked through half of the box already since it arrived. The Y Panda Corona Gorda cigar is an elegant premium cigar. From its impeccable construction to the carefully curated blend of tobaccos, every aspect of this cigar speaks to the expertise and passion of its co-blenders, Yan and Luciano Meirelles. Measuring at 5 5/8″ x 46, the size is perfect for indulging in a luxurious smoking experience. The Ecuadorian corojo 98 wrapper sets the stage with a flawless, oily sheen that promises a rich and flavorful journey. The double binder of Brazilian arapiraca and Ecuadorian Sumatra adds a unique complexity, creating a harmonious marriage of flavors. The filler, composed of Nicaraguan tobacco from Jalapa and Estelí, introduces a captivating interplay of edgy sweetness and mild, yet vivid flavors. This combination, likened to yin and yang, offers a delightful contrast that is a true delight for the seasoned palate. Luciano Cigars has truly disrupted the status quo with this blend, showcasing their signature complexity and mastery. Smoking the Y Panda Corona Gorda is not just an experience, but a journey through the artistry and dedication of its creators. For aficionados seeking a cigar that delivers on flavor and creaminess, this is an absolute must-try.
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