12DOC Review - Cohiba Lancero - AMO Jun16

[Islandboy]

Well, I went straight for one of the crown jewels of the Christmas sampler last night - the Cohiba Lancero. Now I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about this cigar, and I definitely have a liking for the Cohiba profile being that my very first CC was an absolutely remarkable CoRo. But lately I’ve found myself questioning wether my palate had developed in a direction that made the Cohiba profile seem too mild. The last Siglo III I had seemed rather flat and boring. So did the last Siglo VI. And my box of CoRo’s seems to be in some sort of a similar transformational stage of development, I hope. All of which is what made this Lancero quite significant. Turns out my palate hasn’t changed, I just haven’t been smoking the right Cohibas.

I’m truly at a loss of words to describe just how good this was, or to give you a formal review on it. I will say it was in the top 5 cigars I’ve ever had, easily. It’s a pretty simple flavor profile - cocoa/coffee, honey and citrus atop a foundation of barnyard of the finest kind. But the way this cigar balanced all of those flavors, and the way the whole olfactory orchestra intensified over the course of smoking it was something to behold. It seemed every time I thought it absolutely could not get any better than this, the next puff would bring on a new level of classic Cohiba perfection. I reeeeaaally enjoyed this Lancero, can you tell?

Needless to say, construction, draw and burn were all spot on.

This cigar actually causes a conundrum in my mind. It was so good, and hit all the right notes of taste to make it a special experience, I have a really hard time imagining that any amount of age could possibly improve things. If I had a box of these (or rather, if ONLY I had a box of these), I’d be a bit concerned with the effects time may have on them.

I’ll be really interested to hear what others have to say about their AMO Jun 16 Lancero.

Aloha,

Brad 

[Fugu]

1 hour ago, Islandboy said:

I have a really hard time imagining that any amount of age could possibly improve things.

...it won't improve things, it will change them!

This, as you are describing it, is the core of what a Lancero is to me. Thanks for the nice review, good job!

[Islandboy]

I forgot to mention one observation: Retrohaling was a complete failure with this stick. The citrus zing that is such an integral and wonderful part of the aroma and taste is transformed into an off-putting white pepper element on the retrohale, and it completely overpowers the elegant long finish. I had to force myself not to, as retrohaling is apparently an instinctive thing for me.

[Engineer99]

I'm sitting on a bunch of the crown jewels from the sampler almost afraid to smoke one lest it not be ready. I don't see a box of any of those in my immediate future, and don't want to ruin the experience by jumping the gun. OTOH, I just smoked a punch punch from the corona gorda sampler that was fantastic given it's youth. Maybe time to fire up one of the Christmas sampler sticks...

[Islandboy]

24 minutes ago, Engineer99 said:

I'm sitting on a bunch of the crown jewels from the sampler almost afraid to smoke one lest it not be ready. I don't see a box of any of those in my immediate future, and don't want to ruin the experience by jumping the gun. OTOH, I just smoked a punch punch from the corona gorda sampler that was fantastic given it's youth. Maybe time to fire up one of the Christmas sampler sticks...

I hear you. This stick really surprised me given its youth, the way it continued getting better right to the end. That’s why I’m interested in hearing from others who smoke theirs, I’m thinking I got a lucky stick from the box. I’m in trouble if they’re all this good, this young. I’ll be taking out a second mortgage on the house to pay for a few boxes.

[CrankYanker]

15 minutes ago, Islandboy said:

I hear you. This stick really surprised me given its youth, the way it continued getting better right to the end. That’s why I’m interested in hearing from others who smoke theirs, I’m thinking I got a lucky stick from the box. I’m in trouble if they’re all this good, this young. I’ll be taking out a second mortgage on the house to pay for a few boxes.

I plan on smoking mine on Thursday and I will complete the review on Friday.

[Engineer99]

OK, I'm smoking mine on my next designated smoking day, which is Thursday. I've been eyeing it ever since I got it and admiring the perfect construction and elegant dimensions...

[Islandboy]

46 minutes ago, CrankYanker said:

I plan on smoking mine on Thursday and I will complete the review on Friday.

Not meaning to jinx you, but...careful with that thing in the hot tub!