Southern Draw Cedrus Lancero – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Southern Draw added a lancero vitola to the CEDRUS line at TPE 2020. The Southern Draw CEDRUS Lancero joins the original “Hogan” size, a 5.5 x 52 belicoso, as well as the more recent 5.5 x 54 Robusto, 6.0 x 52 Toro, and 6.5 x 60 Gordo . This makes the company’s fourth lancer joining the Rose of Sharon Lancero, Jacobs Ladder Lancero, and Kudzu Lancero.

Like all other Southern Draw cigar, the Southern Draw CEDRUS Lancero is rolled at AJ Fernandez Cigar Co., in Estelí, Nicaragua. The blend uses a Besuki Indonesian wrapper, Habano 2000 Estelí, Nicaragua binder, Piloto Cubano Viso from Dominican Republic, Criollo 98 Viso from Estelí, Nicaragua, Habana 92 Seco from Quilali, Nicaragua, and Corojo 99 Ligero from Jalapa, Nicaragua. The lancero measures 7.5 × 40, slightly fatter than a traditional lancero, and is box pressed. Only 50,000 were made for 2020. It comes in standard Southern Draw Cigars boxes of 20 cigars, with a limited amount of 20 count refill bundles. Each cigar costs $10.20.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Lancero
Length: 7 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 40
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Indonesian Besuki
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Factory: AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Robert Holt
Number of reviewers: 5 – Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Alan (Eulogy) John A. (Bostoneo) Mickey T. (irratebass) Doug S. (Unpossible_1)
Price: $10.20
Age: 8 Months
Release Date: April 2020
Contributed by: Southern Draw Cigars

Initial Impressions – Southern Draw Cedrus Lancero

Appearance: 89

“Box pressed and what appears to be a lancero, but I could be mistaken. The wrapper is so dark it’s almost black. It is very smooth with no visible seams or veins.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Aroma: 91

“Heavy doses of earth, leather, mild pepper, and barnyard from the foot and predraw. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Starts out very spicy, the draw is nice. Campfire and butter on the finish a floral sweetness on the finish as well. Campfire soon assumes authority over the entire profile.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“I pick up clove, black pepper (that really lingers on my palate), and some baking spices on the cold draw. The cigar is starting out pretty mild with hints of black pepper, baking spices, and some type of sweetness that I can’t put my finger on yet. “-Mickey T. (irratebass)

Second Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“I decided to start the second third with seeing what the retrohale has to offer. Cinnamon for days, to the point it sits there in my sinuses. With this new discovery, it’s reminiscent of a delicious cup of hot chocolate sprinkled with cinnamon.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“The second third starts out with a bang of medium full-bodied leather notes with hints of sweetness and red bell pepper, a divine combination. This profile continues to intensify in strength and body as it continues with the same profile, which remains just awesome. Towards the end of this third, smoky campfire notes join the fay in this delicious profile.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Final Third

Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“There is a mint type of flavor that is creeping in that’s mixing with the spices for an interesting smoking experience. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Milk chocolate fades away and leaves just me and the cinnamon.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Overall Impressions – Southern Draw Cedrus Lancero

Draw: 90

“Something that is usually very inconsistent between Lanceros is the draw. This one is perfect. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

Burn: 91

“Burn was almost spot on, and required no touch-ups.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Construction: 88

“Construction looked very good, I would most likely buy this cigar solely on its appearance. It looked like some love went into its manufacturing.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

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

“Some minor hiccups with the experience but not that bad overall. Would smoke again. Definitely worth a try.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“Loved it. Even without any profile transitions, it kept my interest due to the flavors shuffling in intensity throughout the thirds. The smoke output was creamy and dense with an excellent draw. I know this is a cigar nerd’s vitola and requires a bit more attention while smoking but this one is well worth the effort.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Oftentimes, it seems Lanceros are poorly constructed in terms of draw typically. With this particular sample, it performed almost flawlessly, giving an enjoyable profile of coffee, leather, campfire, and many notes of wood. Whilst the first two-thirds gave me the most enjoyment from the medium to medium-full profile, this stick will easily satisfy medium and full-bodied smokers. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“Overall this cigar was pretty good. Nothing ridiculously over the top, but it did keep my attention by throwing in some odd flavors here and there like the cream, clove, spice, and eventually mint. I would definitely smoke this again, and maybe pick up a fiver, but not one I would seek out.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“I won’t lie; I have a love-hate relationship any time I come across a lancero. When done properly, they’re typically the best means of expressing a profile for me. The problem is the consistency overall with them. Some require constant relighting if you’re not tending to it perfectly with your draws, some burn super hot when you do, others draw like you’re trying to suck a marble through a straw. None of these experiences are ideal in my book. Fortunately, this one gave me none of these problems. It was a nice profile mix of chocolate and cinnamon with some heavy doses of pepper starting out. I’d be willing to smoke it again, but probably not enough to run out and pick up a box or two. ” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 103

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Southern Draw Cedrus Lancero – Blind Cigar Review