Cohiba Lancero
Size: 7.6 x 38
Vitola: Laguito No. 1
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Box Code: MEL SEP 08
About:
A cigar considered by many to be the benchmark Laguito No. 1, the Cohiba Lancero started production in 1964 and was not named until 1969. They were exclusively given as diplomatic gifts by the Cuban government until 1984, when they became commercially available.
I have smoked numerous Cohiba Lanceros over the years, and am happy to review them for the Cigar Snapshot Podcast. The samples smoked for review were sent to me by loyal listener CigarJohn in WI. Thanks John, I appreciate it!
Pre-light:
The wrapper was a nice medium-brown in color, and it was on the smooth side with no major veins or blemishes to speak of at all. There was a light dusting of plume on the cigar that sparkled a bit under the lights on the back patio of the Herfquarters.
AROMA: The cigar had a pleasant light grassy aroma with some nice undertones of barnyard. The foot had the same combination, with more of an emphasis on the barnyard aroma. There was also a slight cherry-like sweetness at the foot..
TASTE: The prelight taste was dominated by sweet and grassy flavors, with a slight hint of nutmeg as well. The draw was just a tough tighter than I prefer. Neither the draw nor the construction were suspect in any way, this judgment was based solely on my personal preference.
1/3:
The cigar started right off with the fresh grassy flavors that I expected from a Cohiba, along with a pleasant backing of toast-like flavors. There was also the slightest hint of strength at the beginning, but it was very subtle at this point. The ash was firm and medium-dark gray with some darker striations running through it.
2/3:
In the second third the grassiness continues, though as it progressed it became a little more hay-like in its presentation. I also started to get some pronounced flavors of green peppercorn that was very noticeable in my palate, and was also pronounced in the retrohale as well. The strength remained subtle in the second third, with just enough there to keep things interesting. It was well-balanced with the other flavors that were present. It was nice to find this balance in the cigar, and it really made it easy to enjoy the subtleties and nuances of the blend.
3/3:
In the final third, the grassiness faded, and I started to taste the toast-like flavors that I detected in the prelight. The flavors reminded me of well-toasted toast, though not to the point of it being burned toast. The strength increased a little bit in the final third, and there was just the touch of a peppery-like bite on the very tip of my tongue.
I smoked this cigar right to the end – to the point that I could barely hold on to it with the tips of my fingers. It never got hot, bitter, or unpleasant at all.
Overall:
This cigar had a good balance overall, and it smoked like cigar that was older than a 2008 Lancero. It had a lot of the typical Cohiba grassiness, and was similar in character to Cohiba Lanceros that I have had in the past.
Though I typically prefer more than 3-years of age on a Cohiba Lancero, like I said, this sample did exhibit a profile and characteristics of a more well-aged Cohiba, and it was a very pleasant cigar to smoke. Overall this was a good representation of the Cohiba Lancero.
Click HERE to link to episode page and listen!
.
Size: 7.6 x 38
Vitola: Laguito No. 1
Wrapper: Cuba
Binder: Cuba
Filler: Cuba
Box Code: MEL SEP 08
About:
A cigar considered by many to be the benchmark Laguito No. 1, the Cohiba Lancero started production in 1964 and was not named until 1969. They were exclusively given as diplomatic gifts by the Cuban government until 1984, when they became commercially available.
I have smoked numerous Cohiba Lanceros over the years, and am happy to review them for the Cigar Snapshot Podcast. The samples smoked for review were sent to me by loyal listener CigarJohn in WI. Thanks John, I appreciate it!
Pre-light:
The wrapper was a nice medium-brown in color, and it was on the smooth side with no major veins or blemishes to speak of at all. There was a light dusting of plume on the cigar that sparkled a bit under the lights on the back patio of the Herfquarters.
AROMA: The cigar had a pleasant light grassy aroma with some nice undertones of barnyard. The foot had the same combination, with more of an emphasis on the barnyard aroma. There was also a slight cherry-like sweetness at the foot..
TASTE: The prelight taste was dominated by sweet and grassy flavors, with a slight hint of nutmeg as well. The draw was just a tough tighter than I prefer. Neither the draw nor the construction were suspect in any way, this judgment was based solely on my personal preference.
1/3:
The cigar started right off with the fresh grassy flavors that I expected from a Cohiba, along with a pleasant backing of toast-like flavors. There was also the slightest hint of strength at the beginning, but it was very subtle at this point. The ash was firm and medium-dark gray with some darker striations running through it.
2/3:
In the second third the grassiness continues, though as it progressed it became a little more hay-like in its presentation. I also started to get some pronounced flavors of green peppercorn that was very noticeable in my palate, and was also pronounced in the retrohale as well. The strength remained subtle in the second third, with just enough there to keep things interesting. It was well-balanced with the other flavors that were present. It was nice to find this balance in the cigar, and it really made it easy to enjoy the subtleties and nuances of the blend.
3/3:
In the final third, the grassiness faded, and I started to taste the toast-like flavors that I detected in the prelight. The flavors reminded me of well-toasted toast, though not to the point of it being burned toast. The strength increased a little bit in the final third, and there was just the touch of a peppery-like bite on the very tip of my tongue.
I smoked this cigar right to the end – to the point that I could barely hold on to it with the tips of my fingers. It never got hot, bitter, or unpleasant at all.
Overall:
This cigar had a good balance overall, and it smoked like cigar that was older than a 2008 Lancero. It had a lot of the typical Cohiba grassiness, and was similar in character to Cohiba Lanceros that I have had in the past.
Though I typically prefer more than 3-years of age on a Cohiba Lancero, like I said, this sample did exhibit a profile and characteristics of a more well-aged Cohiba, and it was a very pleasant cigar to smoke. Overall this was a good representation of the Cohiba Lancero.
Click HERE to link to episode page and listen!
.
