2021 Nudies N1 Lancero, Rosado (NRWMO)

[Capn_Jackson]

Some slightly cooler weather has descended upon DFW, and I’m so grateful. Decided to light up another FOH beauty today. I’ve enjoyed these since I got them last year, but the extra months of rest are revealing some excellent flavors in the last couple I had. I’ve been waiting until this point to write a review, and so the Nudie review weekend popped up at the right time.

Some veins, but otherwise smooth with little to no tooth. The wrapper is a nice shiny shade of medium, peanut-butter brown, and it’s got a tiny little tail on the end. The aroma is mostly damp earth, a little barnyard and cedar. Cold draw brings me a little cedar, a little hickory, and a big note of raspberry. That berry note has become more prevalent in these N1’s over the last few months. Good draw on this stick. On the opening light I get a floral, almost vegetal quality, and very strong wood notes.

First third:

As this cigar opens up, I get mostly a light fruit taste and heavy cream. A tiny bit of light cocoa as well, underneath it all. The finish is extraordinary, reminding me of a Cadbury Easter egg filling, and just a little white pepper on top. Opening strength is well under medium. Good amount of smoke output. Another thing common to all the N1 Lanceros I’ve had: The difference between the retrohale and a puff without retrohale is very noticeable. With a little through the nose, I get far more of the berries and cream. Without that, just through the palate, it’s more cedar and hickory, but still a little sweetness from cocoa. Very reminiscent of Partagás, either way. All that to say, excellent retro on these smokes! Although there is some sweet cream flavor in the smoke, the texture to me isn’t really a creamy mouthfeel.. more of a nice crisp dry texture, very clean. Part of the ash fell off a little early, my own fault as it happened when I bumped the tray. The construction on this is impressive.

Heading toward the second act, those floral notes from earlier are back in, along with some medium roasted coffee.

Second third:

As the second third gets moving, the coffee and cedar are still going constant. Alternating puffs seem to show a back and forth of berries and cream one minute, and a very floral honey the next - some Upmann vibes here. Another character jumps in that I always get from the N1 Rosado as well, mint leaves. Not overpowering at all, just a nice touch in the finish of every puff, sprinkled on top of the other notes. The tiny bit of white pepper from earlier is all but gone. The age is really starting to show on these ‘21 Lanceros. When I got them about 9 months ago, the second third would start to get very bright, and almost a little harsh. As I’ve had several since then, that quality has mellowed out and the entire cigar is rich and lush.

Around this midpoint, the texture changes from that crisp, clean dry to an oily mouthfeel.  Not creamy, but oily. I’ve said it before, that is my favorite smoke texture. A viscous, oily mouthfeel. Now, how weird is it that I’m writing about my “favorite mouthfeel”? …Nevermind

Final third:

As the final act gets underway, baking spices and cashew become the dominant characters. Incredible interplay between this and the coffee-cedar combo. While sweet cream is sticking around, the berry flavor very nearly exits the stage, only showing up for a quick line now and again. The strength hasn’t changed much since the beginning, only now reaching a notch over medium. The burn line has remained constant the whole time, with no touch-up necessary. Again, fabulous construction here.

I know it’s not a Selfie Review, but I’m feeling pretty today. Wouldn’t you agree?

Apologies… back to the review.

Getting near the end, mint leaves come back into the mix, playing very nicely with the honey. Also, some chili oil shows up, something I often get in these. Not a main ingredient at all, just lightly sprinkled on top of it all. Nice accent to close the show.

This Lancero today was really great. Nice complexity, rich flavor, and superb construction. Had some similarities to an Upmann Connie profile, and definitely some Partagás DNA as well. Fantastic job by the FOH crew! I don’t smoke a lot of Lanceros, but this one is my favorite. An hour and 45 minutes of pure pleasure.

MY SCORE: 92