Cigar Info
The LH (Lavida Habana) | Colorado Lancero vitola was added a few months after the release of the other vitolas and is said to offer a slightly stronger smoking experience than the other Colorado blended cigars in LH‘s line-up. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and blend of Brazilian, Peruvian and NIcaraguan long-filler tobaccos aims for a throw-back smoking experience that blender Nicholas Syris says summons the Cuban-style of yesteryear.
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.
This brand-new size is available in 20-count boxes with a single cigar MSRP of $9.50 and box price at $190. Nicholas Syris of LH Cigars states that the lancero will be a regular addition to the company’s portfolio, which includes 3 blends. The Claro utilizes an Ecuadorian Connecticut color shade grown, the Colorado has a Ecuadorian habano wrapper and the Maduro uses an Ecuadorian criollo wrapper. All of the cigars are made at the Tabacos de Costa Rica factory. LH Cigars was created from the Lavida Habana collection of retail stores in Middle East, which offers customized combined Cuban cigars for its clientele and creating blends utilizing tobacco from other countries. The business made its US launch in 2014.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Lancero
Length: 7.5″
Ring Gauge: 42
Country of Origin: Costa Rica
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Brazilian, Peruvian and Nicaraguan
Factory: Tabacos de Costa Rica
Blender: Nicholas Syris
Number of reviewers: 4 – Adam B. (Bushboy) John I. (John I.) Eric (smalls29) Derek (StogieNinja)
Price: $9.00
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: April 2016
Contributed by: CigarsCity.com
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 91
“Medium brown wrapper on this lancero cigar. Closed foot adds a touch of character. Medium to large veins dominate one side, although a 180* turn and the wrapper is smooth and flawless. I will probably go with a punch cut due to the ring gauge.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Aroma: 89
“Leather, slight herbal notes, grass, and sugarcane” –Derek (StogieNinja)
First Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Opens up pretty dramatically with a ton of smoke and fairly light draw, initially there is some faint pepper which grows to a pretty distinct chili pepper flavor. I’m also getting a pretty strong taste of cumin. I’ve picked up herbal qualities in cigars, but this is the first time I can recall being able to isolate cumin as a very forward component.
As a one time competition chili cook, this cigar is taking me down memory lane. I feel like I’m back on the cook off circuit. After about 15 minutes there is some dried fruit sweetness developing, I’d noted raisin and chile on the aroma, and both flavors are front and center. Tapping the ash at this point as well. It’s holding nicely and is fairly compact, but it’s starting to get a bit crooked, and I’m tired of vacuuming ashes out of my recliner.” –John I. (John I.)
“Kicks off with black pepper on the tongue, burnt sugar, leather, and a light citrus note. There’s some nutmeg and almond notes as well. It’s amazing, and my wife comments on how pleasant the room note is.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Second Third
Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Second third is producing a cool slow burn and great flavors. The faint raisin detected in the first third has developed to a plum flavor and is becoming more dominant. A leathery flavor has developed and the charred oak is still present. As expected from a ring gauge of this size, the burn is staying true and touch ups aren’t even in the conversation. I am looking forward to a strong finish.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“The pepper recedes a bit, leaving toasted sugar and leather, nuts, and baking spices. The citrus note has a distinct lime flavor to it, and I swear there’s a quinine aspect that reminds me of a gin and tonic, although it’s a minor note. Still a great experience.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Full
“One hour in and the final third is just beginning. The chile flavor is continuing, and has built to a strong, straight chili powder taste. Good quality chili powder, not the stuff from the grocery store. Continues to the very end.” –John I. (John I.)
“The addition of a sweet honey flavor in the previous third has added a nice dimension to this cigar bringing it to a full body flavor. The burnt toast/cedar flavors and the stout/strong espresso have balanced very nicely. As I said, the presence of a honey flavor has added to this nice tasting cigar. The spice and pepper are still presence but mainly in the background.” –Eric (smalls29)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 94
“Really impressive from the very first puff. Just enough resistance, but very open and effortless.” –John I. (John I.)
Burn: 93
“The burn got a little wonky towards the end, but for the majority of the session the burn was consistently awfully sharp.” –John I. (John I.)
Construction: 95
“Really nice construction. Great performance from the lighting of the closed foot with it’s blast of wrapper flavor all the way to the grand finale.” –John I. (John I.)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 92
“The overall experience was good, although it could have been better. The flavors were never unpleasant, just never presented a package that satisfied my expectations of a fine cigar. I would have preferred more of a flavor transition, and a more mouth watering experience. Mouth was left a little dry and a slight bitterness developed in the final third. Not a dud, but not a stud.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“Just a great cigar. Held my attention throughout, and it was a shame for it to end. For such a long burning smoke that’s a real accomplishment. Flavors were all right in my ballpark, but a little different than the typical peppery sweet blends that are typical of that profile.” –John I. (John I.)
“A very nice smoke. The beginning had a nice balance of spices, peppers, burnt toast and cedar. The flavors were nicely balanced and grew to a nice full body after the mid point. At one point near the end of the second third, beginning of the final third I detected a hint of honey. While it didn’t last long it mellowed into the background for a while. The bitterness was more like a stout or bitter coffee. I definitely could enjoy this one again.” –Eric (smalls29)
“Overall, this was an excellent stick. It’s unique, without being weird. Loved the classic rich flavors combined with the citrus aspect that really made this one stand out. Can’t wait to see the reveal!” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 92
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Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
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Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam B. | 90 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 93 | 95 | 95 | 88 |
| John I. | 92 | 90 | 95 | 92 | 92 | 95 | 92 | 95 | 95 |
| Eric | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 88 | 90 |
| Derek | 95 | 95 | 95 | 92 | 97 | 95 | 92 | 95 | 95 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.