Blind Cigar Review: Cubariqueño

Cigar Info

A line extension to the original Protocol release was shows off at this years IPCPR trade show. The highly anticipated Cubariqueño | Protocol Lancero made its official debut last summer in Las Vegas. This cigar recently placed #13 on our Top 25 Cigars of 2016 list.

The Protocol Lancero comes in in at 7 ½ x 38. The blends of all Lancero offerings are tweaked slightly to maintain intended flavor notes and achieve the proper draw. The Protocol Lancero underwent those modifications while continuing to use the Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and all-Nicaraguan filler. They are available in 10-count boxes. The price of the lancero is $109 for the box.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Lancero
Length: 7.5″
Ring Gauge: 38
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: La Zona
Blender: Juan Cancel, Bill Ives
Number of reviewers: 5 – Barry (Barry2Guys) Matt C. (Big Matt) Stefan (Stefan) Kyle (kaleehb) Derek (StogieNinja)
Price: $10.00
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: July 2016
Contributed by: Cubariqueño Cigar Co.

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 93

“Cigar is a long lancero that sports a dark matte-brown wrapper and few veins. Triple seam cap is well applied, however, the foot of the cigar is flattened on one side. No soft spots detected, cigar appears to be well rolled. ” –Kyle (kaleehb)

Aroma: 88

“Molasses, nuts and oak dominate the aroma in a very pleasant way. ” –Matt C. (Big Matt)

Blind Cigar Review: Cubariqueño | Protocol Lancero

First Third

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

“Right out of the gate my palate is coated in whipping cream and a long natural tobacco finish, both of which are very enjoyable. My jowls get numb from the strength, chewy deliciousness. On the exhale we have properly aged tobacco, spice, brown molasses albeit just the undertones not too much sweetness, and steamed walnuts. Cream starts to set in about 15 pulls in, in doing so the retro is straight cream and wet cedar. Construction and draw are both perfect. ” –Matt C. (Big Matt)

“Cigar opens with a bold pepper spice that quickly dissipated into a medium bodied sweetness. Notes of cream and nogut are noted with a bitter coffee taste on the finish of the palate. Cigar burn is a bit wavy and gives way to a powdery white grey ash mix. Room note is an enjoyable cedar and potpourri mix. ” –Kyle (kaleehb)

Second Third

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

“The strength of the cigar progresses slightly, as notes of cedar and earthy become dominant. There is a hint of mocha in the background of the cigar that compliments the pepper retrohale and the cayenne that lingers on the aroma of the cigar. The finish of the cigar is somewhat lengthy with a leathery component. ” –Barry (Barry2Guys)

“No major changes. Espresso, pepper, leather, earth, along with hits of chocolate that are overshadowed by a syrupy core. Some light oak appears as well, along side the eastern spices and herbal tea. ” –Derek (StogieNinja)

Final Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The final third looses some of the complexity as the strength kicks up a level. There is notes of cedar, pepper and a subtle molasses on the palate. The aroma remains spicy, and the retrohale has black pepper. The long finish is hoppy with hints of leather. ” –Barry (Barry2Guys)

“The final third exhibits Maduro-like flavors of dark chocolate and charred coffee beans. The flavors become increasingly deep at the nub.” –Stefan (Stefan)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 98

“I was very impressed with the draw. It was neither too firm nor too loose, and remained steady throughout. Each draw brought lots of pleasant smoke.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

Burn: 93

“An ultra-thin burn line, that is razor sharp and perfect from the first light all the way through to the last puff.” –Barry (Barry2Guys)

Construction: 95

“Great construction on this lancero with a thick wrapper producing zero relights, expertly rolled by a skilled torcedor” –Matt C. (Big Matt)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 90

“While the first third of the cigar was the best part, the other parts of the cigar provided an excellent lancero experience which is a size that can have performance issues. ” –Barry (Barry2Guys)

“Smoke this cigar and take your time and you’ll find yourself expanding your palate. This cigar is very much a classic cigar experience, but with the added components of roasted buckeye nuts, warm cinnamon milk and toasted bread chip is really damn fun to find in a premium cigar offering. Great construction coupled with a great draw, pick these cigars up now and enjoy. ” –Matt C. (Big Matt)

“A slow burning cigar that’s perhaps recommended for a more experienced smoker.” –Stefan (Stefan)

“Overall, this cigar was enjoyable. The aroma, accompanied by the creamy, woody, and coffee taste, provided a very enjoyable experience. Cigar’s final third seemed a little young and could use some rest time in the humidor, but certainly worth picking a few up to see how they develop over time. ” –Kyle (kaleehb)

“Physically it was a near perfect example of a cigar, but the flavor profile left me wanting more. It was intense, as lanceros often are, but in a slightly thin sort of way, like an espresso shot with a melted ice cube in it. I’m also not a huge fan of herbal or black tea notes in my cigar. All that being said, for fans of this kind of profile, I would recommend you try it. The smoking experience was sublime, even if the flavor profile was not my favorite.” –Derek (StogieNinja)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 108

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall Experience
Barry	95	88	95	92	90	97	100	100	95
Matt C.	93	90	90	90	90	97	93	93	92
Stefan	97	95	90	90	90	97	93	95	90
Kyle	93	88	90	92	90	93	88	90	90
Derek	93	88	90	88	88	97	95	97	88

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.