Hoss
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2006
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- 113
Cohiba Lancero
Size: 7 1/2 X 38
Country of origin: Cuba
Price: $15
Date: 2000
Accompaniment: Oban 14yr Scotch
I. PRE LIGHT (9/10 pts total)
A. Presentation, flavor and boquet 5/5 pts
B. Construction
*roll, veining and cap 4/5 pts
II. SMOKING CHARACTERISTICS (21/25 pts total)
A. Draw 4/5 pts
B. Burn 4/5 pts
C. Aroma and smoke volume 4/5 pts
D. Flavor and complexity 9/10 pts
III. SUMMARY (12/15 pts total)
A. Finish 5/5 pts
B. Value 3/5 pts
C. Overall impression 4/5 pts
-----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 42/50 pts
According to MRN this is the "ultimate original Cohiba." It's made from cuban ligero and seco leaf and is said to age extremely well. This particular one was 7 years old and a pleasure to pull out of the cabinet for the purpose of this review.
The first thing that crosses my mind when i pull out a Cohiba from the stash is that it's hard not to be wooed by the band. After all it is Cuba's flagship brand. In spite of this, i did my best to be as honest and fair as i could with the rating.
This Lancero had a nice tight roll, the veining was very fine and it sported a dry, almost fuzzy looking wrapper. After giving it a good twice over, i snipped off the pig tail with my Palio, patiently toasted the foot with my trusty Zippo (zplus torch) and got after it.
I was quickly greeted with some nice strong tobacco and charred woodsy flavors along with a taught, albeit not too tight, draw. My eyebrows went up as the long satisfying finish set in, which is perfect for a vitola of this size due to the patience required to properly enjoy them.
Getting deeper into the first third the strong herbal flavors began to mingle with the rich, semi-spicy tobacco which paired very nicely with the single malt scotch and i was swept off my feet. I noted that the burn, although a bit uneven, was never problematic. It let off a decent amount of smoke volume and had a great coffee and vanilla-like aroma as well.
A little farther in and a subtle sweetness makes it's way into the flavor spectrum. I become increasingly aware of the complexity i am enjoying...this cigar simply refuses to be boring and predictable.
Mellowing out a bit at the half way point, some cocoa-like flavors come through and the herbal/grassy flavors subside. All the while that mild spiciness lingers on the back of the palate to strike a very nice balance in the blend of flavors.
Strong herbal flavors return in the final third and that nice accompanying spicy sensation in the background never dwindles for the duration of the smoking experience.
Over all, this was a wonderful smoke and one that i look forward to revisiting in the future. For those of you that prefer a 10 point scale...well, i'd have to give this one an 8.5 and highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys these sizes and understands the necessary smoking style that goes with them.
Size: 7 1/2 X 38
Country of origin: Cuba
Price: $15
Date: 2000
Accompaniment: Oban 14yr Scotch
I. PRE LIGHT (9/10 pts total)
A. Presentation, flavor and boquet 5/5 pts
B. Construction
*roll, veining and cap 4/5 pts
II. SMOKING CHARACTERISTICS (21/25 pts total)
A. Draw 4/5 pts
B. Burn 4/5 pts
C. Aroma and smoke volume 4/5 pts
D. Flavor and complexity 9/10 pts
III. SUMMARY (12/15 pts total)
A. Finish 5/5 pts
B. Value 3/5 pts
C. Overall impression 4/5 pts
-----------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL 42/50 pts
According to MRN this is the "ultimate original Cohiba." It's made from cuban ligero and seco leaf and is said to age extremely well. This particular one was 7 years old and a pleasure to pull out of the cabinet for the purpose of this review.
The first thing that crosses my mind when i pull out a Cohiba from the stash is that it's hard not to be wooed by the band. After all it is Cuba's flagship brand. In spite of this, i did my best to be as honest and fair as i could with the rating.
This Lancero had a nice tight roll, the veining was very fine and it sported a dry, almost fuzzy looking wrapper. After giving it a good twice over, i snipped off the pig tail with my Palio, patiently toasted the foot with my trusty Zippo (zplus torch) and got after it.
I was quickly greeted with some nice strong tobacco and charred woodsy flavors along with a taught, albeit not too tight, draw. My eyebrows went up as the long satisfying finish set in, which is perfect for a vitola of this size due to the patience required to properly enjoy them.
Getting deeper into the first third the strong herbal flavors began to mingle with the rich, semi-spicy tobacco which paired very nicely with the single malt scotch and i was swept off my feet. I noted that the burn, although a bit uneven, was never problematic. It let off a decent amount of smoke volume and had a great coffee and vanilla-like aroma as well.
A little farther in and a subtle sweetness makes it's way into the flavor spectrum. I become increasingly aware of the complexity i am enjoying...this cigar simply refuses to be boring and predictable.
Mellowing out a bit at the half way point, some cocoa-like flavors come through and the herbal/grassy flavors subside. All the while that mild spiciness lingers on the back of the palate to strike a very nice balance in the blend of flavors.
Strong herbal flavors return in the final third and that nice accompanying spicy sensation in the background never dwindles for the duration of the smoking experience.
Over all, this was a wonderful smoke and one that i look forward to revisiting in the future. For those of you that prefer a 10 point scale...well, i'd have to give this one an 8.5 and highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys these sizes and understands the necessary smoking style that goes with them.
