Oscar Valladares Leaf Maduro Lancero 2023 Review (FRWApr24)

[CaptainQuintero]

  Getting back into the saddle, bear with me! 

  So it's Spring finally and the months of watching those in warmer climates enjoying their sticks is finally at an end. With the recent discussion on NC lanceros, the good and the bad, I picked up one of these curious looking cigars 

7x38 Nicaraguan Maduro Jalapa wrapper, with a Honduran binder and filler. A band made from the cuttings from the local guava plantation and no cellophane, but uniquely wrapped in a tobacco leaf. There's claims about it helping the ageing, colour me not convinced on that, but it's a nice and tactile touch regardless 

  It's a Maduro, so it's going to be a fairly familiar road I'd assume. There is a Connecticut wrapper version, so it would be interesting to see how the blend stands up without the influence of that dark beastie of a wrapper, and it is a beautiful looking wrapper.

  First up and it's a classic Cuban style draw. I do really enjoy great NC cigars but only if the draw is firm; too many to me are ruined by being wind tunnels and revert to being a cigarette in all but name. Tighten that roll up and show off what your tobacco and blend can really do. That's just the case here.

  Sweet and meaty off the blocks, classic Maduro. I'm paring back on the thirds review as I'm not expecting a huge change from a Maduro blend, there's old leather, some dark cedar and just a hint of fresh ground expresso.

  Most importantly there's not a sign of that metallic nature that I find can be a feature of NC tobacco, this thing is smooth as buttered fudge

  Not much evolution throughout the cigar; little wafts of overripe berry, occasional showings of floral notes and high percentage dark chocolate, but overall it faithfully sticks to that traditional dark brooding Maduro blend

 You know what you're going to get when you reach for those dark wrappered sticks and this delivered in spades, a solid 8/10. Clean burn, excellent construction, classic blending and a showcase of what NC tobacco can do.

[HoyoFan]

Nice review. Any strength or pepper?

[CaptainQuintero]

5 hours ago, HoyoFan said:

Nice review. Any strength or pepper?

Solidly medium body, no noticeable nicotine hit either. Not a whiff of pepper at all too, compared to traditional NC blends it seemed very unique and Cuban styled, as much as a Maduro can be.

[HoyoFan]

Great thanks! Going to definitely give this one a try. I tried the regular one, with a year of rest on it, it was terrific. 

[CaptainQuintero]

2 hours ago, HoyoFan said:

Great thanks! Going to definitely give this one a try. I tried the regular one, with a year of rest on it, it was terrific. 

Oh nice how was it? I can't even really imagine what the Connecticut wrapped one would be like, those Maduro wrappers give such an overwhelming character to any blend.

[HoyoFan]

20 hours ago, CaptainQuintero said:

Oh nice how was it? I can't even really imagine what the Connecticut wrapped one would be like, those Maduro wrappers give such an overwhelming character to any blend.

It was terrific. I think though, its a habano wrapper, rather than Connecticut. I'm a huge fan of Honduran tobacco.

[LaoFan]

Smoked a few times with Island Jim in Havana - super cool dude.