Sinistro Habana Vieja Lancero – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Sinistro cigars is known for having some of the most unique looking cigars in the industry. Released in 2018 the Habana Vieja is no different with it’s shaggy foot and pigtail. The Habana Vieja has a 8-year aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, 10-year aged HVA (Habana Vuelta Arriba) binder and Fillers from the Dominican Republic & Nicaragua.

This specific blend comes in 6 sizes, a Corona (6 x42), Lancero (7×40, Fat Robusto (4 x58), and Ambassador (Perfecto), Scala LE (Perfecto), and a Salomon. The Scala notably has a ring of San Andres Maduro around the cigar while the Salomon has a San Andres Maduro leaf wrapped around the head and foot of the cigar.

These cigars all come in boxes of 20 and are rolled at The La Aurora Factory in the Dominican Republic.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Lancero
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 40
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano
Binder: Dominican Republic (HVA)
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Factory: La Aurora Cigars S.A.
Blender: James Agopian
Number of reviewers: 4 – Alan (Eulogy) Mickey T. (irratebass) Doug S. (Unpossible_1) John A. (Bostoneo)
Price: $8.40
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: April 2018
Contributed by: Sinistro Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 93

“The man bun cap and the half inch broom foot are awesome. I think it adds a ton of personality to this already great looking cigar. The seams are tight with a slightly oily wrapper and smooth feel. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

Aroma: 91

“Honey & cedar on the body with cinnamon & potpourri on the foot. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The foot is burning fairly quickly with a nice spice oily tobacco flavor. The smoke output is great with a surprisingly nice burn considering how large the broom foot was. When the wrapper finally gets involved the rest of flavors sort of amp up in dimension. There’s more red pepper heat, baking spice, rich tobacco, and an all over oily mouth feel. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“The interesting part of these exposed shaggy foot cigars is it gives you a chance to see the profile without the impact of the wrapper. I’m initially greeted with a warm cup of espresso, followed up by some white pepper. Not a huge change after the wrapper catches up, with mostly bread notes added.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“On this third the chocolate is not there as much, but the honey is straight up in your face. I also got some oats and bread on the retro. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Moving into the second third, intense oak and vanilla notes hit with strength here. This third is a complex flavor bomb as well, it will wake your taste buds from the dead into complete bliss. The oak and vanilla take me to the end of this awesome third.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“More toasted grain, baking spice, a more aggressive level of red pepper, rich tobacco, and oily mouth feel. Pretty consistent from the previous third. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Usual suspects continue their dominance. Then in the last couple inches strong blasts of cherry come from left field. ” –

Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 91

“The cap was slightly spongy which gave it a slightly loose draw. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

Burn: 97

“Excellent burn from beginning to end. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Construction: 96

“Very very well constructed considering the extras you get with this cigar. You get one that looks great and smokes great.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 91

“I thought this was great. It really hit all the things that I look for in a cigar. The construct was great, smoke was chewy, the notes played well together and had an interesting way of bouncing between what was the dominant note, and the broom foot and man bun cap gave it a lot of character. I will certainly pick up more to enjoy in the future. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“This was a tasty cigar. It had plenty of honey notes mixed with chocolate and oat flavors. The final 3rd did get harsh and biter on me I would gladly smoke this again and again. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“An espresso-filled experience is typically a good one, especially when it comes to cigars. This was no different. Although, not overly complex, I still enjoyed the cigar. I would say that it isn’t one I would run out to buy though, being a run of the mill profile. But if someone were to offer me one, I’d gladly light it up and smoke it again.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“Overall, this was a wonderful, flavorful, tasty cigar. I truly enjoy a cigar with a shaggy foot that actually functions well for tasting the cigar blend without a wrapper and then have it transition into something truly magical when you get there. Big big big flavors and a great construction and draw made this cigar very desirable to smoke again and again and again…. Pick up all you can of this cigar, I can’t imagine it would stay on shelves for very long!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 88

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Sinistro Habana Vieja Lancero – Blind Cigar Review