"This was a very nice smoke. It didn't turn out to be the spice/pepper bomb that I expected based on its looks. I picked up lots of different flavors including floral, white pepper, creaminess, bubble gum, wood, and earth. I would definitely smoke this again, and would possibly consider a fiver. " -Mickey T. (irratebass)
"Great pleasure to smoke this lancero cigar. Notes of sugar, floral, peanut, and licorice. Perfection throughout this stick. Minor unraveling doesn't interfere with smoke. Pairs well with coffee. A cigar that I'd seek out and smoke again." -Sean F. (fullermaine)
Southern Draw announced two new line extensions to the Desert Rose cigar today, the Famous Exclusivo (Exclusive to Famous Smoke Shop) and the Lonsdale. The company also announced that the original Desert Rose Belicoso Finos 5.5x54 will now be a regular production cigar in both 20 count boxes and 20 count bundles.
"The cigar checked all the boxes for me. Construction was great, never needed a touchup or relight. I really enjoyed the profile throughout with the hints of dark chocolate and oak. It rounded out really well with the black pepper." -Quinn (quinnpins269)
"This is surely a solid choice for anybody looking for a mild smoke with a great body. I think it was the body that impressed me the most. It really gives full body on the palate but the flavors are still fairly light as is the strength. This could easily be an "any time" cigar that I will enjoy again. " -Isaac M. (The Nothing)
"Though it smoked tighter than I like, the flavors were very enjoyable. It is a nice after-dinner Maduro with heavy chocolate, molasses, and toffee notes. The addition of increasing spices throughout the blend hit my palate well but I could see it putting off some who would just enjoy the sweetness of the cigar." -Lauren S. (Lauren S.)
Drew Estate announced a new size in their Tabak Especial lineup today, a Lonsdale. This new vitola comes to both regular production blends Dulce and Negra. The new size will be shown off in an upcoming Freestyle Live: Special Edition hosted on facebook.com/drewestatecigar on June 11th from 7:00-9:00pm EST.
"The Lonsdale vitola is quickly becoming one of my favorite sizes. The flavors seem to really pop in this format. The flavors in this cigar were impressive and there were enough transitions to keep me interested. This is definitely a cigar I'd try again. Thanks for the opportunity. " -Kevin J. (maninblack77
Announced just before this year's PCA trade show, the E.P. Carrillo Pledge Lonsdale Limitada is now shipping. The new size is box-pressed and measures 6 1/2 x 43. It comes in boxes of 20 and a retail price of $12.00. The blend has been updated from the original Pledge blend to use a USA Broadleaf wrapper, Ecuadorian binder and Nicaraguan filler.