Sancho Panza Non-Plus – ATE MAY-18 – (R90)

[StogieSteve23]

Not a special cigar by any means but a damn good one I think and for the price, you cant beat it. 

Opening Remarks: I love this vitola.  A petit corona is a nice size if you don’t have time to smoke and the semi-boxpressed nature of the stick makes it that much more appealing for me.  The wrapper is velvety smooth with small veins but nothing that us rough to the touch.  Cold draw gives the perfect amount of resistance while tantalizing the taste buds with cedar, raisins and an abundant saltiness.  

First Third: After toasting the foot, combustion and draw are flawless.  Salt, salt and stale chocolate which sounds bad but was quite enjoyable. I get a lovely roasted chestnut taste on the retrohale, reminiscent of the ones my grandmother makes around Christmas time. The smoke has a slight bonfire smell to it which pleases the nostrils.

 

Second Third: Draw, combustion, burn still perfect.  Still very salty.  A burnt garlic flavor has come in for a few puffs but quickly dissipates.  The ash is sturdy but I knock it off anyway.  It was much more sturdy than I thought.. I get a woodsy flavor now that I’m not loving but the saltiness keeps me in it.  Entering into the final third, flavors change for the better and I’m now thinking of it as a Dimplomatico No 2 instead of a Non-Plus.

Final Third:  Draw, combustion, burn still perfect. Salt is a persistent punch in the mouth and nostrils.  Chocolate has made a comeback but in a slightly sweeter presence. Chocolate turned into hits of Salted caramel gelato and a slight toffee punch to knock my taste buds out of the ring.  These delicious flavors lasted another 6-8 puffs to which at this point it was nearing a nub. Saltiness and white pepper were the last to hang around until I end the stick in enjoyment.   Smoke in the final third was slightly piney smelling. 

 

Closing Remarks: Fantastic construction with an interesting transition of flavors throughout.  Temperature remained very cool until the nub. First third was great, second kind of blah and final was great. 

Burn: 5/5 (Perfect – no touch up/relight ever needed)

Construction: 5/5 (Excellent draw, temperature control and smoke production – love semi-boxpressed sticks)

Flavor: 4/5 (Satisfying – saltiness throughout – chocolate – caramel/toffee)

Smell: 5/5 (Delicious – Roasted chestnuts - pine smelling smoke)

Wrapper: 4/5 (Smooth/Velvety – small veins)

Overall Score: 23/25 = 92%

[Goodfortune]

Thanks for a review! I’m waiting on my first box of these from a 24:24, can’t wait to try one! 

[StogieSteve23]

5 hours ago, Goodfortune said:

Thanks for a review! I’m waiting on my first box of these from a 24:24, can’t wait to try one! 

If you like salt you'll love these! Enjoy! 

[smitte3]

Nice review, look forward to trying one.

[Sorrowful]

Sounds like a great cigar.

 

I've still never had one of these.  I usually buy my boxes from Switzerland (zurich La Casa near the Park Hyatt), Madrid, or the various duty free shops in Europe.  No one seems to have any decent boxes of it.  Same with diplomaticos.

[CampDelta369]

Enjoyed the review. Great chestnut reference. I scored a box last year and only had one so far which was excellent. Love the saltiness.

[StogieSteve23]

22 hours ago, Sorrowful said:

Sounds like a great cigar.

 

I've still never had one of these.  I usually buy my boxes from Switzerland (zurich La Casa near the Park Hyatt), Madrid, or the various duty free shops in Europe.  No one seems to have any decent boxes of it.  Same with diplomaticos.

Thank you, it's a very enjoyable stick! That's too bad you can't find any boxes up to your specifications as they are worth getting for the price.  Also, as of last year they have been discontinued so if you can, try a couple and buy at least a box if you like them. 

 

22 hours ago, CampDelta369 said:

Enjoyed the review. Great chestnut reference. I scored a box last year and only had one so far which was excellent. Love the saltiness.

Thank you @CampDelta369 I appreciate it.  Salty nuts are always enjoyable ? LOL 

[DeskSmkr]

Love how the band stayed on for the final nub image!

Thank you for the review!

[SigSauer516]

Nice review.  Will have to trade for some

 

[Skypilot]

I have a box of these and they are a spitting image of El Pres’ description. I have smoked through a couple SP belicosos  as well but I don’t get near as much salt and driftwood in those. 

[SigSauer516]

On 4/21/2020 at 10:04 PM, Skypilot said:

I have a box of these and they are a spitting image of El Pres’ description. I have smoked through a couple SP belicosos  as well but I don’t get near as much salt and driftwood in those. 

I have found that @El Presidente's descriptions are spot on for every cigar I have purchased from him.

[david9985]

Great review. I love that last pic... Is that the genuine final ash, or have you put an old piece back on for the photo?

[StogieSteve23]

Just now, david9985 said:

Great review. I love that last pic... Is that the genuine final ash, or have you put an old piece back on for the photo?

Genuine pic.  I ashed the first piece of ash just into the second third after I took the first picture you see. I was surprised by how sturdy it still was for the length so I decided to try and not ash it again until I finished.  I'm not usually one who likes to do this because I think that the longer the ash gets, the more it mutes/changes the flavors of the cigar when you have to pull air through that much ash IMO, but everyone is different.  

[Skypilot]

22 hours ago, SigSauer516 said:

I have found that @El Presidente's descriptions are spot on for every cigar I have purchased from him.

I screenshot whatever I buy in 24:24 so I can go back and read the descriptions. 
 

11 hours ago, StogieSteve23 said:

Genuine pic.  I ashed the first piece of ash just into the second third after I took the first picture you see. I was surprised by how sturdy it still was for the length so I decided to try and not ash it again until I finished.  I'm not usually one who likes to do this because I think that the longer the ash gets, the more it mutes/changes the flavors of the cigar when you have to pull air through that much ash IMO, but everyone is different.  

It made for a great picture! Nice review

[StogieSteve23]

11 hours ago, Skypilot said:

I screenshot whatever I buy in 24:24 so I can go back and read the descriptions. 
 

It made for a great picture! Nice review

Thank you I appreciate it.  I like your idea of screenshotting whatever you buy on 24:24. Compare flavor notes and just have a reference.  Great idea!