Cigar Geeks - Blanco (Formerly Los Blancos) Nine Lancero

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Blanco (Formerly Los Blancos) Nine Lancero
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Rich Hefner (DocJazzRH)

87
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Cigar Geeks Critique of a vitola provided to us by our friends at C.I.G.A.R. of San Antonio and the Los Blancos Cigar Company. Up for review this time is the Los Blancos Nine Lancero. Thanks to Corey (cmmayo) for setting this up and special thanks goes out to C.I.G.A.R. of San Antonio and the Los Blancos Cigar Company.

Blanco (Formerly Los Blancos) Nine Lancero

Brand:: Blanco (Formerly Los Blancos)
Name:: Nine Lancero
Length:: 7
Ring Gauge:: 38
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Nicaragua
Wrapper:: Corojo
Nicaragua
Color:: Oscuro
Strength:: Full
Shape:: Long Panatela
Average Member Purchase Price:: $7.40
Average Member Rating:: (7 Review(s))
Notes:: http://www.losblancos.com/store.php?crn=223

This cigar was enjoyed with a sparkling water (lemon)

Pre-Light: 16 Points of 10 Possible

The wrapper had a nice dark rough look to it with a few light veins and was slightly moist. The cap was tight and even and cut well with a V-cutter. The cold-draw had a gentle sweetness that was very pleasant.

Lighting and Burn: 13 Points of 15 Possible

The burn was a little ragged through the first third but did not run; the balance of the burn was even. The ash was a white/grey that held well past an inch, which I thought good for a narrow ring gauge; the smoke plume was respectable but not large.

Construction: 27 Points of 30 Possible

The construction was solid; no soft-spots to be found, the cap cut cleanly, and the wrapper maintained itself through the smoke. For a Lancero, the stick felt balanced in my hand. The draw was open with a bit of resistance that I personally enjoy.

Flavor and Aroma: 31 Points of 45 Possible

I found the strength to be full bodied but not overpowering. The first third had cedar over some leather, and white pepper that came on quite rich. The next third offered some espresso to the leather and blended together with some sweetness that stayed on my tongue between puffs. The last third had a slight build to it that added cocoa to the espresso while the pepper presented itself near the end.

Summary

The smoke time was a bit over an hour and was very enjoyable. The cigar performed solidly allowing me to concentrate on the flavors; the pepper was never too hot, rather supplying a tingle that opened my palate sensitivity and I liked that. I found I enjoyed the length over my usual large ring gauge and I will probably smoke more of this size. There was nothing "over-the-top" about this cigar but I feel it would hold its own with similar blends...