Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Wrapper: Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut & Cured Sun Grown Habano
Binder: Plantation Grown Brazilian Mata Fina
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 7 Inches
Ring Gauge: 40
Vitola: Lancero
MSRP: $17.50
Smoke Time: 2h12m
Flavor 25/25
1st 3rd
Cold draw is dark fruit. Upon light, black and cayenne pepper with mesquite bbq. As I smoke down the 1st third, campfire, salt, smoked meat and must all get in the mix.
2nd third
More sweet mesquite, dry wood, feint red pepper, must and licorice.
Final 3rd
Continued sweet mesquite and must. Now we also see showings from light earth, red cinnamon, leather, mint and butterscotch.
Final Thoughts
This cigar had a beautiful mesquite flavor as a backbone with tons of other ever changing flavors. While each puff felt familiar, each puff also seemed to bring something new. Top notch flavor profile.
Complexity and Transitions 20/20
This was a full body stick that was packed with complexity and was ever changing. Forget about thirds, every single draw was an experience in flavor complexity.
Draw 20/20
Perfect from start to finish!
Burn 18/20
The burn was slightly wavy for the 1st 2/3's. Once I ashed right at the end of the 2nd third, it started burning down one side which required a touch up. Once touched up, it burnt pretty sharp.
Wrapper Construction 8/10
The cigar wasn’t the prettiest thing, especially for a Liga Privada. A couple large veins, a few slightly raised seams and pretty toothy.
Value 5/5
It’s pretty unusual that I would rate a cigar with a price point over $15 as a 5/5 for value. Here is the thing, first off it had over a 2 hour burn time for a Lancero which is wild. The flavor profile was top notch, it was super complex, had a perfect draw and a decent burn. I would consider this a super premium cigar worthy of a $20+ price point and you're getting it for sub $18.
Overall Rating 96/100