Blind Cigar Review: Don Lucas | Family Reserve Natural

Cigar Info

Don Lucas Cigars showed off two new blends at the IPCPR trade show last year. The Family Reserve cigars come in two different blend, natural and maduro. Today we are looking at the Don Lucas | Family Reserve Natural. It comes in one vitola (5 1/2 x 54) and is priced at $16.70 (Boxes of 10, $167) The production is limited to 500 Boxes of 10 (5,000 Total Cigars). In 1992, Don Lucas Cigars started rolling cigars with two cigar rollers, and making only 150 cigars per day. Today, they have over 45 employees in their production line. From the beginning Don Lucas has always ensured to keep “quality over quantity”. They produce a limited amount of cigars with the highest standards of quality in the market. Don Lucas Cigars has catered to the cigar needs of visiting tourists from countries all over the world.

Rather than simply producing a serviceable cigar that their visitors can take as a souvenir, the cigars from the Don Lucas factory are a real treat that their customers would love to smoke again and again. However, because, up till recently, you could only get a Don Lucas at their factory in the DR, Americans came home with less than ample supplies and found they could not buy these great cigars at their local tobacconists. Now, you can purchase them through Chesapeake Cigar & Tobacco Company Phone: (443)-949-9004 Email: mike@chesapeakecigar.com

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 5.5″
Ring Gauge: 54
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Corojo
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: Don Lucas Cigar Factory
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 5 – Zane G. (Zane) Kent (Throck) Mickey T. (irratebass) Gregg (McGreggor57) Coop (Cigar_Coop)
Price: $17.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: July 2016
Contributed by: Don Lucas Cigar

Initial Impressions – Don Lucas Family Reserve Natural

Appearance: 90

“Light brown in color. The cigar is firmly packed with tight invisible seams, and minimal veins.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Aroma: 91

“The aroma was that of a strong barnyard-like smell with a hint of chocolate notes that were obscured heavily.” –Kent (Throck)

First Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Sweet tobacco notes with a very dominican profile. Very floral through the retro. Mild grassy flavors. Really enjoying it. Great morning cigar so far.” –Zane G. (Zane)

“The first third has a nice fusion of natural tobacco and floral notes. In the background is a dusty earth note and a slight baker’s spice. There is also a nice black pepper note on the retro-hale.” –Coop (Cigar_Coop)

Second Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Beginning of the 2/3rd and the cream has returned, I am digging these transitions. The ash held on until the beginning the 2nd, very impressive. Flavors are staying consistent with changes here & there, but nothing drastic. Plenty of cream, peanuts, cedar, and that honey undertone is staying with the cigar.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“The wrapper is beginning to unravel well before the point I noticed on inspection. There is a definite shift in the profile. Lots of leather and some sweetness from allspice on the finish. Hints of light coffee fade in and out as well.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Strength bumps up a little with some spice and floral notes on the retro. Wood notes were prominent throughout the final 3rd with a little sweetness in the background.” –Zane G. (Zane)

“There was more in the way of pepper and dusty earth, but there was still a natural tobacco sweetness component that balanced it nicely.” –Coop (Cigar_Coop)

Overall Impressions – Don Lucas Family Reserve Natural

Draw: 96

“Draw was spot on. Just enough resistance.” –Zane G. (Zane)

Burn: 95

“A perfect burn. This cigar hardly required any touch-ups.” –Coop (Cigar_Coop)

Construction: 94

“Construction was unbelievable! Ash held on for an inch at a time or basically until the third was finished. Ash was a nice grayish/white with black streaks around it.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 89

“Not a ton of flavor change ups but a consistent flavor profile throughout. Great morning cigar that would pair well with Coffee.” –Zane G. (Zane)

“There was nothing very impressive about this cigar from the onset. The appearance was not the greatest and the burst of harsh flavor toward the end of the second third did not help out the situation at all. I will not be smoking this in the future.” –Kent (Throck)

“This was amazing smoke. Plenty for everyone here with peanuts, cream, honey & cedar. I think the only thing missing was spice and strength. this would a great cigar after a meal or even in the morning with your coffee. It was just right.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Despite some construction issues and limited flavors, I found this one to be a solid smoke. Not a celebratory cigar, but definitely one to consider around the yard or golf course.” –Gregg (McGreggor57)

“This was an excellent cigar. It delivered a nice flavor profile, had a decent amount of complexity, and was very well constructed. I would definitely smoke this cigar again. It is worthy of splitting a box with a friend.” –Coop (Cigar_Coop)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 81

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Don Lucas | Family Reserve Natural