Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Morphine Lancero

Cigar Info

For the fourth year in a row, in 2017, Black Label Trading Co. released its limited edition Morphine line, this time in three sizes from previous years’ editions. “Since this is our fourth vintage of Morphine, I decided to pick my favorite vitolas from the last three years,” said James Brown, the company’s founder. Short Robusto (2017) (4 1/2 x 50) — $10.50 (Boxes of 20, $210), Lancero (2017) (7 1/4 x 42) — $11 (Boxes of 12, $132), Corona (2017) (5 1/2 x 42) — $10.50 (Boxes of 18, $189). The Corona was made in 2014, the Short Robusto in 2015 and the Lancero in 2016. Today we are reviewing the Black Label Trading Company | Morphine Lancero.

The corona is made in 18 count boxes, the short robusto in 20-count boxes, and the lancero comes in 12-count boxes. Each size had 400 boxes rolled for a total of 20,000 cigars. The blend is the same as previous years with a dual wrapper of Mexican San Andrés Maduro and Ecuadorian Maduro. The binder is a nicaraguan habano and fillers are from Honduras and Nicaragua. The cigars are made, like all other Black Label’s at Brown’s Fabrica Oveja Negra factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Lancero
Length: 7 1/4 ”
Ring Gauge: 42
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés and Ecuadorian Maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaragua and Honduras
Factory: Facriba Oveja Negra
Blender: James Brown
Number of reviewers: 4 – Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Eric (smalls29) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) David F. (dfafjf)
Price: $11.00
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: June 2017
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“This is a handsome looking lancero sized cigar that is sporting a dark maduro shade wrapper leaf with a triple cap and a pigtail. There are a few tiny chips at the foot that reveal a binder that is much lighter than the wrapper.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Aroma: 94

“Strong manure and leather” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

First Third

Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Right after lighting its a medium plus cigar. I am a spice wuss so boardering on over powering with the spice being about jalapenos on the heat level. The good thing is there are other flavors to consentrate on so thats a plus. The other flavors are on the back end and consist of butter and campfire and nuttyness” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“The cigar begins with a spicy blast both in the retro hale and in the body. This is something I alwasy enjoy. Starting out pretty strong overall. It will be interesting to see if this cigar changes up more or just continues like this. Not detecting any of the chocolate I picked up before lighting though. Lots of cedar, earthy flavors to start. ” –David F. (dfafjf)

Second Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The strength of is moving between medium and light-medium. I am now picking up a mild peppery taste leaving a slight tingle on the lips. My favorite part. The flavors are all remaining nicely balanced making this an enjoyable experience thus far.” –Eric (smalls29)

“The second portion of this cigar brought in some intermittent flashes of black pepper along with the baking spices. Not at all over powering and just a nice level of change and complexity.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The flavors are beginning to blend into a strong, coffee and oak flavor. The peppery taste is still there but it is hard to distinguish between the tea, coffee and chocolate that were there in the beginning.” –Eric (smalls29)

“The final 1/3 of the cigar changes a bit into more of a medium bodied cigar. A lot of the flavors carries over into this stage of the cigar but sadly the cigar becomes a bit ashy and muted. I tried to purge the cigar at this point but not much improvement. Still a tasty cigar but wished the flavors were are bright and enjoyable as the cigar started out. I’m still enjoy the spice this cigar brings. Not as much in the body but still a nice strong blast of pepper in the retro hale. ” –David F. (dfafjf)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 90

“A really nice draw on this skinny stick… As a result my smoke stayed nice and cool while giving me plenty of flavor.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Burn: 93

“The burn on this cigar was spot on even with an ocean breeze.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Construction: 91

“While the construction was good, it did get soft between the fingers.” –Eric (smalls29)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 92

“A very nice experience. Would keep a couple laying around” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“This cigar had some personality. The beginning was nicely balanced with teas, coffees, chocolates and some oak. The peppery tingle came in about half way though but soon everything gelled into a strong cup of coffee or tea. In the final third, near the end, it leveled off into a good cup of tea. Overall I enjoys this one. I just don’t like the length of time needed. This would be a good one for the humidor if it were shorter.” –Eric (smalls29)

“This was a joy for me to smoke. I was able to discern some flavor shifts along with just plain enjoyable flavors. My only wish is that I had about 20 more of these for future enjoyment!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“I really loved the first 1/2 of the cigar. Sadly the final 1/3 of the cigar started to get very muted and ashy tasting. Cleaning my pallet didn’t help. Purging the cigar didn’t help. But this is a long cigar and I have had similar experiences from other companies. Even though the final 1/3 of the cigar wasn’t perfect, it was still a very enjoyable cigar throughout. Lots of spice, earthy / cedar flavors, mixed with a great amount of salty peanut flavors. ” –David F. (dfafjf)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 75

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Black Label Trading Company | Morphine

Overall Score – 92 – Great