AshMap
Overview
The L'Atelier Selection Spéciale SS Petit Corona represents a philosophical statement from Pete Johnson: that a short cigar need not be a compromise. Introduced around 2012 as part of the Selection Spéciale sub-line, this 4.5 x 44 vitola has become a masterclass in format efficiency—a 35–45 minute smoke that delivers the complexity and satisfaction typically reserved for full-length expressions. Hand-rolled at the My Father Cigars factory in Estelí, it pairs a lustrous San Andrés Mexican maduro wrapper with a binder and long-filler core sourced from Nicaragua's most celebrated tobacco regions, Jalapa and Estelí. The architectural restraint of the Petit Corona format concentrates flavor rather than diluting it; what emerges is a cigar of surprising depth and character that rewards the aficionado unwilling to sacrifice quality for brevity.
From the first light, the SS Petit Corona announces itself with authority. The initial third presents a dense wave of roasted espresso, dark chocolate, and leather, punctuated by white pepper and the characteristic sweet undertones of the San Andrés wrapper. The second third is where the profile truly distinguishes itself—baking spices (cinnamon and clove) integrate seamlessly with a dark cherry sweetness while the smoke becomes noticeably creamier, allowing cedar to emerge cleanly against the fading pepper. The finale deepens into molasses, charred oak, and black pepper, with a bitter chocolate anchor that persists through to the nub. Throughout, the construction is impeccable: the draw remains slightly firm but never tight, the burn line holds true, and the ash stands in confident half-inch columns.
This is not a cigar for the novice seeking a quick smoke; it is an expert's tool, priced honestly at $9–$12 per unit, positioned for the dedicated aficionado for whom daily smoking is not luxury but habit. The minimum three-year aging of its tobaccos—with an additional 3–6 months of box age recommended—ensures that every element arrives at the smoker's palate in full maturity. In a market often divided between introductory cigars and hour-long monuments, the SS Petit Corona occupies rare ground: a sophisticated, concentrated expression that proves depth and brevity are not mutually exclusive.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | San Andrés Mexican Maduro — Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan (Jalapa region) |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-fillers from Estelí and Jalapa, aged a minimum of three years |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua |
| Vitola / Shape | Petit Corona |
| Size | 4.5 x 44 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $9–$12 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of three years prior to rolling; additional box aging recommended for 3–6 months |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with dark cocoa, dried fig, and a whisper of white pepper. Once lit, the first third delivers an immediate and dense wave of roasted espresso, dark chocolate, and a pronounced earthy leather undercurrent. The San Andrés wrapper begins asserting its characteristic sweetness alongside a subtle barnyard note.
Second Third
Complexity ramps up as baking spice — cinnamon and clove — integrates with the continuing espresso and leather core. A dark cherry sweetness emerges from the binder, balancing the pepper that begins to fade into the background. The smoke becomes creamier, and a cedar note presents itself cleanly.
Final Third
The final third deepens into rich dark molasses, charred oak, and black pepper, all anchored by a persistent bitter chocolate finish. Strength gradually builds toward full but never turns harsh. The sweetness from the San Andrés wrapper lingers on the retrohale right through the nub.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exceptionally tight for this vitola — the draw is slightly firm but well within range, producing dense, voluminous smoke. The burn line stays remarkably even, the ash holds firm in half-inch columns, and touch-ups are rarely required.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A high-rye bourbon such as Knob Creek Single Barrel or a rhum agricole from Martinique — the proof and spice cut through the San Andrés sweetness beautifully
Wine
A Priorat or aged Zinfandel — wines with dark fruit, earth, and moderate tannin that mirror the cigar's profile without overpowering the shorter smoke
Non-Alcoholic
A double espresso or a dark-roast cold brew with no sugar — the bitterness of the coffee amplifies the chocolate and cocoa notes in the cigar
Who Should Smoke This?
The L'Atelier Selection Spéciale SS Petit Corona is engineered for the seasoned aficionado with limited time but uncompromising taste. This is the cigar for the mid-morning ritual when a full Toro is impractical, or the post-lunch break before meetings resume. You understand flavor development, appreciate balanced complexity, and refuse to sacrifice quality for convenience. You have the palate to detect the interplay of espresso, leather, spice, and cherry across a 35–45 minute smoke. Beginners should approach only after developing experience with medium-full strength expressions; this is not an entry point but a destination for the committed collector seeking daily-smoking sophistication.
Bottom Line
The SS Petit Corona proves that Pete Johnson's philosophy holds: a Petit Corona from a master blender and first-rate factory loses nothing essential in its compressed format. This is concentrated excellence—a cigar that respects both your palate and your schedule.
Similar Cigars
Explore all L'Atelier Selection Spéciale cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the L'Atelier Selection Spéciale SS Petit Corona a strong cigar?
Yes. It carries a medium-full strength profile (4/5), building gradually toward full body in the final third without turning harsh. It is not for novices or those preferring lighter expressions, but neither is it a brute force smoke—the strength is balanced by sweetness, spice, and chocolate throughout.
What does the L'Atelier Selection Spéciale SS Petit Corona taste like?
The flavor arc opens with dark cocoa, dried fig, and white pepper, then develops into roasted espresso, dark chocolate, and leather in the first third. The second third brings baking spices (cinnamon and clove) alongside dark cherry sweetness and cedar. The final third deepens into molasses, charred oak, and black pepper, finishing with bitter chocolate and lingering San Andrés wrapper sweetness.
How long does the L'Atelier Selection Spéciale SS Petit Corona take to smoke?
Plan for 35–45 minutes. The Petit Corona format is ideal for a focused mid-morning or post-lunch break when a full-sized cigar is impractical but complexity is non-negotiable.
What is the best pairing for the L'Atelier Selection Spéciale SS Petit Corona?
Spirit: A high-rye bourbon like Knob Creek Single Barrel or a rhum agricole from Martinique cuts through the San Andrés sweetness beautifully. Wine: A Priorat or aged Zinfandel with dark fruit, earth, and moderate tannin mirrors the profile without overpowering. Non-alcoholic: A double espresso or dark-roast cold brew without sugar amplifies the chocolate and cocoa notes.
Is the L'Atelier Selection Spéciale SS Petit Corona good for beginners?
No. This is a medium-full strength cigar with sophisticated flavor development designed for experienced aficionados. Beginners should first develop palate and tolerance with lighter, shorter vitolas before approaching the SS Petit Corona.
Where can I buy the L'Atelier Selection Spéciale SS Petit Corona?
AshMap does not provide retail recommendations. Contact authorized L'Atelier or My Father Cigars distributors, or consult established premium cigar retailers in your region.
What is the price of the L'Atelier Selection Spéciale SS Petit Corona?
Expect to pay $9–$12 per cigar. This honest pricing reflects the quality of materials and construction, making daily smoking achievable for dedicated aficionados.
Is the L'Atelier Selection Spéciale SS Petit Corona worth aging?
Yes. While the tobaccos arrive with a minimum of three years of aging already applied, an additional 3–6 months of box aging is recommended to allow flavors to marry and develop further complexity. This short format benefits notably from additional rest.
What wrapper does the L'Atelier Selection Spéciale SS Petit Corona use?
A San Andrés Mexican Maduro wrapper in deep dark brown approaching black, with a slight oily sheen and minimal veining. This wrapper imparts characteristic sweetness and contributes significantly to the flavor profile throughout the smoke.
Where is the L'Atelier Selection Spéciale SS Petit Corona made?
Hand-rolled at the My Father Cigars factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. The filler and binder are sourced from Nicaragua's Estelí and Jalapa regions, with tobaccos aged a minimum of three years before production.