Cigar News: Southern Draw Adds Lancero to Rose of Sharon

2017 was a big year for Southern Draw Cigars. Robert Holt introduced both the Rose of Sharon and Jacobs Ladder, each earning a spot on our Top 25. Now Southern Draw has added a lancero vitola to the Rose of Sharon lineup.

This release is a Famous Smoke exclusive initially. Last December, the Pennsylvania-based cigar retailer also had limited-time exclusive for the release of Southern Draw's QuickDraw Corona Gorda cigars.

“When Robert proposed having Famous Smoke Shop partner again with Southern Draw on the initial release of the Rose of Sharon Lancero, the only answer was, ‘of course!'” said Famous Smoke Shop's Director of Purchasing, Jim Charnley. “We are thankful for our ongoing partnership with Robert and Sharon and look forward to many more special projects in the future.”

Southern Draw says Lanceros are cool again, and they are going to take advantage. The 6½-inch by 40-ring vitola is soft box-pressed and is comes in boxes of 20 cigars. Introduced in spring 2017, the Rose of Sharon selection has received both retail success and critical acclaim, including a slot for the Rose of Sharon Toro (6″x52) in Cigar Advisor's “Top 25 Best New Cigars of 2017.”

“We have been blessed by the consumer reception of the Rose of Sharon since its release last year,” said Sharon Holt, aka the ‘Rose of Sharon.' This year, the Rose of Sharon Lancero will add a splash of elegance to the line, which is distinguished by a savory Nicaraguan-Dominican core blend and an Ecuadorian Sun Grown Connecticut wrapper from a rare harvest that saw over 300 days of heavy cloud cover. The result was a flawless, silky-smooth leaf with a richer flavor and a light blonde, shade-grown-like patina. Moreover, due to the Lancero's slender measurements, the wrapper will play a bigger role in the cigar's flavor profile.”

“Highlighted by its beautiful Connecticut wrapper, I find this refined lancero size offers a unique smoking experience that elevates the flavors of the Nicaraguan binder and the Dominican Piloto Cubano ligero filler,” said Sharon. “The cigar also has a hand and mouth feel that I think most consumers will find very comfortable, even if it's a size they don't ordinarily smoke.”

“She don't know she's beautiful” is the motto of the Rose of Sharon cigars, and the new Lancero is representative of Southern Draw's commitment to growing their portfolio of slimmer cigars.

“Together with our partners at AJ Fernandez Cigar Co., we are dedicated to changing the perception of historical draw and burn issues experienced with many thin cigars,” said Robert Holt. “We've also addressed value perception. Despite the fact that lanceros are among the hardest and most expensive cigars to roll, we are offering our lanceros at the same price as our robusto-size cigars.” And considering the caliber of the tobaccos and handcraftsmanship, at under $10 per cigar, the new Lancero has been positioned at a very reasonable price. “I believe that when they're consistent and priced favorably, Lanceros are destined to become the new classic size,” added Robert.

Southern Draw is expecting high demand for this new vitola. The initial release will only be available at Famous Smoke Shop, with wider availability at a later date.

Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Lancero