LIVE REVIEW: 2001 Cohiba Lancero

[maverickdrinker]

01 Cohiba lancero

read something on one of the boards that I frequent that really touched me. A great BOTL was smoking an 01 Cohiba Lancero to celebrate his late father's birthday. Having lost my father as well, I wanted to pay tribute to his father as well.

I recently purchased a fiver of these from a BOTL and decided this was the right time to smoke one.

The wrapper is a weird, very faded and weathered colorado brown. Like paper mache. LOL Slight veining. The wrapper is rustically wrapper around the binder and filler. Very rough.

The cigar itself is fairly firm. No soft spots. Amoras of cream, grassy notes, and lindt chocolate emanate from the wrapper.

The triple cap pig tail is rustic as well. I use my smallest punch hole to dive into the cap.

Cold draw reveals a good pull. Cream, chocolate, a hint of sweetness and hay coat my taste buds.

Time to take this to the flame.

[maverickdrinker]

First Third

The lancero takes easily to the fire. Nice, easy draw. Beautiful. Good amount of smoke from both ends. Was concerned about the construction as 1999 to 2001 was the tough years for CCs. Lots of draw problems however, this one is smoking just fine.

Grassy notes, combined with cedar, brown sugar and eucalyptus. That familiar cuban twang is there. Like saying hi to an old friend.

I sit back and start to walk down memory lane and think about my father. It's appropriate that today is stormy as that is what I would call our relationship. We made peace with each other before he passed away however, we really didn't have a strong bond. I guess this is why I have a strong dedication to my kids as I don't want them to ever feel that I would not support them. In hindsight, I think it has made me a better father.

The characteristics that most remind me of him is his dedication to his passion, Music. I remember watching him perform and seeing the drive, excitement and dedication that he had on stage. Nothing made him happier than having a guitar and performing. I guess my love for music came from this.

Strength is medium right now. Roasted nuts and a slight saltiness has entered the forefront. It compliments the grassy/cedar/brown sugar combination.

This cigar puts me in a very calming, reflective mood. Listening to the rain fall and watching my little guy nap through the baby monitor makes me feel blessed to have the family that I have.

[maverickdrinker]

Second third

There is something about Cohiba that always puts me in a good mood. I remember when I first got promoted to an external sales role at 25 years old. One of my co workers pulled me aside and said 'Let's go celebrate your promotion. Welcome to the team!' We went to a restaurant where he proceeded to share his knowledge with me about wine. We tasted all different sorts of whites and reds and got me to describe what I was tasting. He shared with me the importance of ordering wine before your clients got hold of the wine list. LOL.

At the end of the night, he said to me 'Now, we have to do one more thing' and he gave me a Cohiba Esplendido. He says smoke this when you feel the time is right. I saved it without really knowing when to smoke it.

A few months later, I closed the single largest ticket at the time for the firm. I realized that this is what he meant. I fired it up, gave him a call and thanked him for the education and the time.

Now, I tend to smoke Cohibas when I am in the company of great friends or I have to make a big decision, either personally or professionally. I always smoke them to celebrate the wins though.

Ironically, I don't own a box of Cohiba Esplendidos. Will have to remedy this on my next trip to Cuba.

This cigar is really delivering in spades. Medium full strength now. Delicious grassy notes, earthy tones, some creaminess, cuban twang all performing in harmony. Pure deliciousness.

The afterfinish is quite tasty as well. Cocoa, cedar, grassy notes and a touch of creme caramel linger for a long time on my palate. Awesome!!!

The burn and draw is solid. The clouds seem to be letting up and the sky is getting brighter. All is good in the world today.

[maverickdrinker]

Final third

Strength has increased in a good way. Medium full now and the flavours seem to be more pronounced. The grassiness and cream flavours seem to be the ones coming out the most, interlaced with expresso, some earthy tones and roasted nuts. Very nice.

No issues at all with the burn or the draw. Been smoking like a champion.

Afterfinish has changed slightly. More expresso, earthy textures combined with the grassy, cedar notes. Lasts for a long time. Very well rounded and full bodied.

No harshness to speak of. Has the stuff to keep in the humidor for a long time.

I love when lanceros come together like this. Full of flavour, no draw issues, and excellent burn. Makes for a very satisfying and relaxing experience.

Final impressions:

This lancero was on. I know of the concern about 2001 construction however, this one has been rolled perfectly. Not the prettiest lancero that I have laid my eyes on but more than makes up for this in the flavour department.

This does have the characteristics to continue to develop over time IMHO. Very tasty now, seeing that there is no harshness. I hope the other 4 are just as good. Nubilicious!!!!!

[harmesh]

Great review and story, especially this part 'He shared with me the importance of ordering wine before your clients got hold of the wine list"

[canadianbeaver]

Like how the cigar plumped up a bit in the final third. I find this happens too. Thank you for sharing your story about your dad. Great review, as always.

[Orion21]

Art, beautiful review. What an ugly ugly cigar, but sometimes they smoke the best. One observation -- did you notice the cigar "fill out" as it heated up? It seems by the second, and especially the third picture, that the wrapper is perfectly smooth with an oily sheen. It's almost like by smoking the cigar you breathed life back into it's appearance.

[Rushman]

Great review. I enjoyed the discussions on your dad, your career and when and why you smoke cohibas. I lost my dad 18 years ago and we never shared the experience of smoking cigars together.

Thanks for the review!

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=20.631722,-87.070645

[nikesupremedunk]

Great review. I enjoyed the discussions on your dad, your career and when and why you smoke cohibas. I lost my dad 18 years ago and we never shared the experience of smoking cigars together.

Thanks for the review!

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=20.631722,-87.070645

Sometimes I wish my dad and I shared an activity we both enjoy. I just realized that we don't have any...and I doubt it'll ever be having a cigar together. Great review, I may just bust out a lancero tomorrow.

[ramon_cojones]

01 lanceros are superb, hesitant to crack a box i have buried

[kidmac]

Great review. But the cigar takes second place to the rest of the review. Thanks