Midweek Shootout Poll: H. Upmann Sir Winston Vs Cohiba Lancero

[MoeFOH]

Midweek Shootout Poll - where we randomly pit two Cuban sticks against one another to see which comes out on top. 

Couple of big dogs here... if you've had one and not the other or have had neither, give us your answer and discussion based on your experience and/or the allure/desire of these giants of the game. 

Read the scenario, vote in the poll, discuss below if you wish .

[Duder]

Oy! Tough one but got to give the nod to my first love and one of the cigars I smoke the most - Cohiba Lanceros. I’ve been fortunate to have many fine examples of both including well aged ones and the Cohiba edges out the SW by a slim margin. Both exquisite cigars with even just a few years age but other worldly with 10-20 years or more. 

[riderpride]

I haven't had many examples of either, and all have been singles. I'll give a slight nod to Sir Winnie with the understanding that I might have a small bias as Upmann is my favorite marca. Truthfully, I love each 😆 

I think CoLa will win, but each call will be close.

Cheers!

[loose_axle]

I've only had the Cohiba Lancero so I've picked it. Mine are young (3 years down) and need time yet but show promise. I've got one H Upmann Sir Winston and I'm leaving that for a very special occasion unless by some fluke I get some more. 

[chasy]

Love them both, but prefer a bit more ring gauge 

[zeedubbya]

Tough one…but it’s always going to be Sir Winston, always.For me. CoLa is more complex with age and I’ve enjoyed the dozen or so I’ve smoked over the years. Winnie is just such a perfect cigar for cigar smokers. Size is great, rarely do they disappoint and even though they don’t take you on a major journey, they have a taste which is just awesome. Quality, pure tobacco flavor at its finest. My personal number 1.  

[TheDonTX]

Between the two I would choose the Sir Winnie. I LOVE Cohibas but not the COLA so much. It's a good cigar but its not even among my favorite Cohibas. As others have said the SW size is great. When you are smoking one it just feels better. You feel like a mob boss lol. The flavors are totally different but SW packs more of that toughness I like. There is a time and place for the elegant long and skinnies where you finesse it and savor the nuances but for me I am reaching for the SW 4/5 times. 

[JohnS]

This one is so tough to split between the two cigars. Incidentally, the timing of this thread is ideal as it wasn't that long ago that I had a H.Upmann Sir Winston and Cohiba Lanceros within the same week! Both were very enjoyable to smoke.

I suppose I have a bias for the Cohiba Lanceros. I just appreciate the cigar a little more than a H.Upmann Sir Winston.

[Hammer Smokin']

Espi > Lanc > Sir Winny

But those are my big 3.

[Chibearsv]

I picked Lanceros because I’ve never had one (2021 box resting comfortably). If I could try one in its prime, I’ll take it. I’ve had many SWs and they are almost always fantastic. But like @Hammer Smokin' referred to above, Esplendidos is king and hasn’t been dethroned for me yet. 

[gormag38]

Great scenario here. Truly a tough choice as they both can be absolutely divine. I gave a nod to the CoLa (even though HU is probably my favorite marca). I tried to put aside the poor experiences I've had with CoLa (crazy tight draws) and in doing so I think I would choose it over HUSW. IF I were to take construction into consideration, my choice would be HUSW.

[Jimmy2]

HU SW hands down when you smoke a great one it’s very memorable .

 

[BrightonCorgi]

I like both cigars equally, but Lancero takes more concentration and technique to enjoy. Gets hot easily. Not usually looking for that level of dedication requirement on my behalf to enjoy a cigar.

[Chef]

Love the feel of the Cola and lanceros, in general, in my hand. Unfortunately, the roll or construction usually sucks on them, so I'm going with the HUSW.

[Capn_Jackson]

Winnie all the way. Lovely pancake and syrup vibes from the 2014’s. Any CoLa I’ve had are just finicky. Good, but tedious and not that rewarding. 

[Ford2112]

I remember more Winstons than Lanceros.

[Cigarsmoker81]

I didn’t have much luck with Cola but Sir Winston is almost always on.

[Tunkat92]

This is a tough one, both are top class cigars. I have to go with the Sir Winston, I prefer the HU profile and they just seem to always deliver. I've had several mediocre CoLas that make me avoid investing in a whole box at these prices.

[cigaraholic]

If it’s the morning or afternoon I’ll take the Lanceros, in the evening I’ll have the SW.

[Çnote]

CoLa is amazing, but i prefer the flavor profile of Upmann and the easier smoke of a DC over a Lancero.

A box in each hand would not be amiss.

[Çnote]

On 5/3/2025 at 3:13 AM, Capn_Jackson said:

Winnie all the way. Lovely pancake and syrup vibes from the 2014’s. Any CoLa I’ve had are just finicky. Good, but tedious and not that rewarding. 

The words from my mouth.

[El Hoze]

Sir Winston are my favorite “regular production” cigar by a safe margin. Sir Winston and CoLas are probably the two cigars I am deepest on. Even before things got crazy with cigars SW and Lanceros were tougher to come by so I bought every box I could. Glad I did. 

[Bagman]

SW is the cigar I went deepest on. 331 per box was a steal. Have 14 boxes aging away.

Yet I've never had a cola, so, unfair to vote.

[Capn_Jackson]

14 hours ago, Çnote said:

The words from my mouth

From your mouth to my thumbs, …or something!