Cigar Geeks - Raymond Pages Antihero Lancero

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Raymond Pages Antihero Lancero
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Jared (The Burn Ward)

81
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique generously sponsored by our member DRuff (Doug). The cigar provided for this round is the Raymond Pages Antihero Lancero.

In the cigar world, Raymond Pages may be the hero you want and the hero you deserve. Antihero is a unique offering from Raymond. More medium or medium-plus than full in body, it's rich and robust but incredibly balanced and smooth, never overwhelming."

Raymond Pages Antihero Lancero

Brand:: Raymond Pages
Name:: Antihero Lancero
Length:: 7
Ring Gauge:: 42
Country of Origin:: Nicaragua
Filler:: Nicaragua
Binder:: Nicaragua
Wrapper:: Nicaragua
Color:: Maduro
Strength:: Full
Shape:: Panatela
Notes:: Antihero is a unique offering from Raymond Pages. More medium or medium-plus than full in body, it's rich and robust but incredibly balanced and smooth, never overwhelming. The wrapper is a dark Habano leaf - not a maduro but almost maduro looking - brimming with oils, nice tooth and texture.

This cigar was enjoyed with Bowmore 18

Pre-Light: 7 Points of 10 Possible

The cigar has some soft spots. It appears a bit uneven. There are a few soft spots. It's veining with noticeable seams. It looks well filled from the foot. Interesting looking band. It cuts cleanly with no cracks.

Lighting and Burn: 12 Points of 15 Possible

The format of this cigar lends to an easy start to light. It burns a bit wonky but no touch ups in the first third. I can let the cigar sit for a bit between puffs and it continues to let off a decent amount of smoke. When puffing on the cigar there's a ton of smoke production. This does produce a satisfying billow of smoke. It required 2 additional touch ups.

Construction: 26 Points of 30 Possible

This has a great draw with a straight cut. The wrapper could look nicer but it does not create any issues. It appears to have a double cap. A crack became present horizontally beneath the band. The band did remove easily.

Flavor and Aroma: 36 Points of 45 Possible

The cigar starts off with a pleasant aroma and nuanced spices. There's slight paper note. I pick up on some dark chocolate notes. The paper note is subtle but remains consistent. Some vanilla and earthy notes.

2/3 a cherry note comes in. Some dark oak notes. There's some black pepper and light wood that seems to have transformed from the paper note. Picking back up between puffs I get oak earth. Oak/dark wood stays pretty consistent.

3/3 Wood and earthy notes stick through to the final third. The Bowmore 18 adds a nice sweetness to the woody notes. I tried smoking a bit faster to see if it would produce some new flavors but it stays consistently earthy and oaky.

Summary

For the price that you can buy these its a decent smoke, especially for a lancero. Not a lot going on but nothing offensive. I could see me smoking a few of these if I don't have to pay attention to it. Thanks Doug!