Cigar Info
Originally created in 2011 for the cigar market in Spain, Quesada granted Casa de Montecristo two exclusive sizes to release in the American market: The Belli-Lance and the Fabulosos
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 España is specially blended in these two sizes to increase the complexity the cigar delivers. The Bali-Lance focuses on the cedar notes and some of the red pepper spice, while the Fabulosos really enhances the Cocoa and the Dark fruit flavors with the larger ring gauge.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Lancero
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 40
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Arapiraca
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: Quesada Cigar Factory
Blender: Manuel Quesada
Number of reviewers: 4 – Stefan (Stefan) Gregg (McGreggor57) Kent (Throck) Craig (WyldKnyght)
Price: $12.00
Age: 1 Year 2 Months
Release Date: March 2015
Contributed by: Casa De Montecristo
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 91
“Great feel and appearance. Firm to touch, with a smooth, oily wrapper that exhibits minimal, unobtrusive veins.” -Stefan (Stefan)
Aroma: 93
“The wrapper smelled of sweet honey, the foot had a medium tobacco scent, and the dry puff tasted musty.
” -Craig (WyldKnyght)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The first third started off with a stumble. I had difficulty lighting the cigar and required a relight after it went out about 5 puffs in. The flavor that initially hit my tongue was slightly off-putting and sulfur-like; however, this mellowed out significantly yielding a more sweet leather taste.” -Kent (Throck)
“This cigar was fairly easy to light. The initial flavor I got was earthy and wood flavors. The burn was nice and even. Part way through I started to get some pepper on the back of my throat. The smoke was light and fluffy.
” -Craig (WyldKnyght)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Drops the bitterness in favor of more depth. There are now notes of oak, coffee, anise, baking soda, and, surprisingly, even a hint of citrus.” -Stefan (Stefan)
“Muted hay with some floral notes make up the dominant flavors of this third. A little toast lingers in the background providing a bit of dimension. I’m enjoying the occasional pop of clove on the retrohale.” -Gregg (McGreggor57)
Final Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
ody/Complexity: Medium
“A slight shift between the floral and hay really elevates this third. A little leather creeps in to replace the toast. Not much spice remains.” -Gregg (McGreggor57)
“There was not too much change from the second third. I enjoyed the mellow flavors that continued to provide an interesting smoke throughout.” -Kent (Throck)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 96
“One of the best drawing cigars I’ve enjoyed in a long time.” -Gregg (McGreggor57)
Burn: 94
“Despite some breezy conditions the burn-line remained straight. A decent amount of smoke production with a strong ash that held for long stretches.” -Gregg (McGreggor57)
Construction: 95
“This cigar was firm with no hard or soft spots. The ash was light grey in color and solid. The smoke was light and fluffy.” -Craig (WyldKnyght)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 88
“This stogie’s construction is outstanding, while its flavor profile is one that will probably appeal to most smokers who prefer full-bodied stogies.” -Stefan (Stefan)
“The shift in the balance of flavors between the second and final third was a game changer for this cigar. While not a preferred flavor profile, I enjoyed this one very much. The performance was over the top and I would love to try this in a different vitola.” -Gregg (McGreggor57)
“To start, the flavors were quite enjoyable when I was able to experience them. The burn was quite awful and require very close attention to the cigar at all times, and even so, still needed to be re-lit. I feel the cigar was quite young and had other properties to lead me to believe this.” -Kent (Throck)
“This cigar would have gotten a better score if not for the harshness during the second 3rd. Overall not bad. I would revisit this cigar again.” -Craig (WyldKnyght)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 58
|
Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stefan | Stefan) | 95 | 95 | 88 | 90 | 88 | 93 | 93 | 95 | 87 |
| Gregg | McGreggor57) | 90 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 97 | 93 | 93 | 90 |
| Kent | Throck) | 90 | 90 | 90 | 92 | 90 | 85 | 80 | 95 | 85 |
| Craig | WyldKnyght) | 92 | 95 | 90 | 85 | 90 | 97 | 97 | 95 | 87 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.