The he Recluse Amadeus Habano Reserva was originally released at the 2015 IPCPR trade show. It debuted in six different vitolas, including three Sidewinder sizes. There were more sizes released in the following years, including a lancero in April 2016.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
The cigar measures 7 x 38 and was originally a Smoke Inn exclusive, after the store’s owner, Michael Weiss, requested the size. It uses the entubado rolling method and comes from Tabacalera Leyendas Cubanas in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The Amadeus Habano Reserva Lancero usesthe same blend as the original release: an Ecuadorian habano wrapper covering a Mexican San Andrés binder as well as Dominican viso, Dominican ligero, Dominican seco and Pennsylvania broadleaf in the filler. The cigar comes sold in boxes of 24 and carries a retail price of $8.95 each.
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“At first light, I got a very sweet creamy flavor that reminded me of a nice Cuban cigar. Unfortunately that flavor did last long and immediately turned into pepper. On the retro, I am also getting a creamy pepper. I am also getting some salt flavor on my lips. The retro has a nice peppery burn.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“This skinny cigar lit up with green peppercorn, baseball leather, and black tea. There was an assertive oak retro. A salty, savory quality kept me reaching for this cigar. Ash fell regularly after an inch of buildup.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“Notes of leather, mild pepper, and cedar are the core of this third; but there’s still bread and intermittent gram cracker sweetness with an enjoyable floral note that pops up on the draw and retrohale. The smoke output is phenomenal so far producing thick chewy clouds of smoke. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“A meaty, savory quality increased into the second third. It permeated my palate and I was ever long for puff, I craved more.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Final Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“As I am getting into the final third the flavors are about the same as the first two thirds. no new transitions but the cigar is
“All the same notes from the previous two thirds are still here but they seem to change intensity each third. This third has a rich note of leather as its dominate flavor on the draw. The sweet note of gram cracker, mild white pepper, and floral finish really give an amazing overall profile. The smoke output is perfect, producing thick clouds of chewy smoke.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 97
“Draw is perfect and for a lancero that is not an easy thing to do. I think draw issues is one of the reasons why people shy away from lanceros.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Burn: 94
“The burn wavered a little but never touched.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Construction: 93
“Flawless. The wrapper was seamless and beautifully uniform in appearance; perfectly straight and evenly rolled. I’m a sucker for pigtail caps for some reason and it just gave an overall appearance of a very high end cigar. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 94
“I really enjoyed this cigar. I must say that the aroma of this cigar was amazing. The flavors were not mind blowing but were very good, especially on the retro. I can imagine with some age and time the flavors could be mind blowing. The draw was perfect and to the overall experience of this cigar. I hope to revisit this cigar at some point in the future.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“Pretty much no redeeming qualities here aside from a competent construction. Really seemed very raw without a lot of positive flavors going on. There were a couple points in the middle that hinted at some creamy sweetness. That may have been the goal, but this particular cigar came really short of that. This is one of those cigars that makes you think about all the other cigars you’d really rather be smoking. Gave it a full 60 minutes to be a good sport. ” –John I. (John I.)
“If I were to make my own cigar, it would look much like this. It was almost painful to put this cigar down. The savory qualities kept me coming back to it, distracting me from other things (like the kiddo crying about her ball rolling into the street.) It wouldn’t be hard to put this cigar into regular rotation, and when this is posted, I’ll probably find a box. While there wasn’t a whole lot of transition in flavors, what flavors it has keeps you coming back for more.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“I couldn’t find fault in any part of this cigar. It’s probably one of the best cigars that I have smoked this year. The flavor profile was balanced and unique. Floral notes can tend to be overpowering but this was balanced and played so well with the other notes of gram cracker, bread, white pepper, leather, and cedar. If you’re a fan medium bodied and strength cigars this one is certainly worth picking up. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“I thought this cigar was good, not great. I think it could have used another gear to keep me interested. The construction was great and performed admirably. I would say try one of these and see if the flavors appeal to you, but don’t expect the world.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
"If I were to make my own cigar, it would look much like this. It was almost painful to put this cigar down. The savory qualities kept me coming back to it, distracting me from other things (like the kiddo crying about her ball rolling into the street.) It wouldn't be hard to put this cigar into regular rotation, and when this is posted, I'll probably find a box. While there wasn't a whole lot of transition in flavors, what flavors it has keeps you coming back for more." -Isaac M. (The Nothing)
