Cigar Geeks - Black Label Trading Company Bishops Blend Lancero

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Black Label Trading Company Bishops Blend Lancero
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Neal (ntanner)

89
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique generously sponsored by our member Beegerply (Byron). The cigar provided for this round is the Black Label Trading Company Bishops Blend Lancero.

First unveiled in 2016, the limited edition Bishops Blend is an annual release known for its robust flavor profile, which James Brown believes showcases his growth as a blender. Never a shortage of skulls in the Black Label Trading Company's branding, the band showcases a red skull adorning a ceremonial bishop's headdress (or miter for all the Catholic school survivors out there). This band is rock and roll through and through, but even more impressive is the somewhat pointed cap mirroring the miter shape. At the heart of the Black Label Trading Company Bishop's Blend are Pennsylvanian, Nicaraguan, and Connecticut broadleaf filler tobaccos. This blend moves the broadleaf to the forefront without overwhelming the Nicaraguan portion. The binder is Ecuadorian Habano, and the wrapper is an Ecuadorian Maduro. Production is usually limited to around 400-600 boxes of Bishops Blend in each size in the United States. The Lancero size was released in 2020 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of this blend.

Black Label Trading Company Bishops Blend Lancero

Brand:: Black Label Trading Company
Name:: Bishops Blend Lancero
Length:: 7
Ring Gauge:: 42
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Connecticut Broadleaf
Nicaragua
Pennsylvania
Binder:: Ecuador
Habano
Wrapper:: Ecuador
Habano
Color:: Maduro
Strength:: Medium-Full
Shape:: Lonsdale
Notes:: https://cigarsandleisure.com/black-label-trading-co-to-ship-bishops-blend-in-may-2021/

This cigar was enjoyed with Coffee

Pre-Light: 10 Points of 10 Possible

There's a slight oily sheen to the dark wrapper who's appearance is enhanced by the black and red band's. It has a slightly toothy feel and just a couple minor vein lines. First lancero I have had with a torpedo style cap so that's different. The cannon is solid from top to the closed foot and feels well packed.

Cap is well done and after a quick snip I find a slightly firm draw with a sweet tobacco flavor prelight.

Lighting and Burn: 12 Points of 15 Possible

Took a flame without issue and immediately begins producing great volumes of smoke with each puff. The burn is slow and cool and relatively straight until about the beginning of the second third where we had a blow out. It tried to go out and the burn went a little crazy and then the ash began to flower and continued to be flakey all the way through the second third of the cigar. On a positive note the burn self corrected, and I had no other issues.

Construction: 27 Points of 30 Possible

The wrapper is a good looking leaf with only a couple minor vein lines. It's a rich dark leathery looking wrapper that just looks flavorful and it feels slightly toothy, like worn denim.

The draw is right in the sweet spot with enough resistance to keep one from overdosing on the smoke but open enough to let large volumes through with each pull.

The cap is unique to me as it is reminiscent of a torpedo style but aside from looking different on the end of a lancero it is well done and cut well.

Did have a strange flare up at the beginning of the second third that I am attributing to a void in the stuffing. Aside from that minor issue construction was spot on.

Flavor and Aroma: 40 Points of 45 Possible

Initial flavor is earthy tobacco up front and a sweet malty finish with a healthy helping of spice in the retro. It's enough to make me sit up and take notice. Around an inch and a half I start to get a walnut flavor joining the mix.

The second third is kicked off with a mocha flavor appearing as the tobacco becomes sweeter and the walnut has disappeared. The spice has dropped off some and I am getting an almost mint like note playing in and out.

The last third is tobacco and espresso with notes of bakers chocolate. The finish is sweet and medium length in duration and has been that way through most of the cigar. Spice has picked back up in the retro and I think we have gotten to a solid full strength.

Summary

Shout out to Byron for sponsoring this one, good choice.

This was a good smoke. Flavorful and bold. It didn't have a lot of complexity but what it did have was good from start to finish and provided an enjoyable hour and forty five minutes. It was a great smoke producer and provided almost two hours of enjoyment. I will definitely be looking to get more of these.