Sancho Panza Bachilleres (JUN 1998 CFGOS)

[Ophidion]

Prelight

This is an ugly little guy. Dark wrapper with an almost suede feel and prominent veins. The cigar is pliant and the cold draw reveals a loose draw with a very slight tobacco flavor.

1/3:

I was incredibly impressed with the amount of flavor right off the bat. Tobacco, honey and cinnamon. Great, even burn with a very smooth smoke. The draw is loose so I had to take my time as not to let the cigar overheat and become bitter. The cigar is medium in flavor and is very consistent. The ash is bright white and hangs on very well despite the slightly loose pack.

2/3:

The honey and cinnamon are dialed back a bit at this point while the aged tobacco flavor takes over. As I smoke the cigar slowly I am trying to think if there is any other cigar I have had with this flavor profile and I simply cannot think of one. The smoke remains very thick and moist while delivering a ton of flavor.

3/3:

At this point the cigar is galloping towards the finish line with tons of honey and tobacco on top of each other. I slowed down my smoking even more and was treated with a ton of flavor that I haven’t been able to find in any other cigar to date. Great finish!

Overall:

I was somewhat hesitant on buying a full box of these as I haven’t really purchased full boxes of any 10+ year old cigars and I haven’t had much in the SP lineup but I was pleasantly surprised when I finally got to burn one down. For this review I took out the most obviously flawed cigar (ugly, loose pack) and I was surprised at how well it smoked as long as I was willing to take my time with it.

a+++ will smoke again.

[AlexOk]

In spring 2012 I've had an Sancho Panza - Bachilleres from 1998. But my tasting-impressions were total different. Here are my notes, taken from my Blog:

Coldsmell:

Light toasty aromas, sweet chestnut, nutty, chocolate milk, freshly cut grass

Ash:

Compact ash with good stability. Steel gray at first brownish, bluish gray. Chapped and slightly grainy surface.

1st third:

Earthy, flintstone, musty wood, slightly musty, damp basement

2nd third:

Earthy, woody, forest floor, slate, juicy, musty, furred

3rd third:

Earthy, woodsy, slightly toasty aromas, scorched wood, green walnut, lovage, venison, furry

Conclusion:

If these are the typical aromas of a Sancho Panza (it was the first cigar of the box), they are really weird. It's hard to say whether I like the cigar. On the first hand I don't like the musty flavors, on the other hand, it makes the cigar interesting.

[Arnehaj]

Thank U! Nice reeding.

[finecigar]

Great review! A great one in the past SP lineup. It's too bad they are discontinued. And Alex, I think some boxes vary quite a bit. I've had some boxes at were very dull, musty, and okay-ish, but then there are some that really shine. It's kind of hit or miss I think.

[Smallclub]

Are you sure it's a Bachilleres (Franciscanos, 116mm) you have smoked? Because I'm sure the cigar on that picture is a Non Plus (mareva, 129mm)

[Smallclub]

In spring 2012 I've had an Sancho Panza - Bachilleres from 1998. But my tasting-impressions were total different. Here are my notes, taken from my Blog:

Conclusion:

If these are the typical aromas of a Sancho Panza (it was the first cigar of the box), they are really weird. It's hard to say whether I like the cigar. On the first hand I don't like the musty flavors, on the other hand, it makes the cigar interesting.

Your review is 100% on line with my experience of the '98 Bachilleres. It's definitely a different cigar; I like it but I can undestand why people don't – and I could say the same for the entire SP line, actually…

[Ophidion]

Are you sure it's a Bachilleres (Franciscanos, 116mm) you have smoked? Because I'm sure the cigar on that picture is a Non Plus (mareva, 129mm)

I am 100% sure that I have small hands. Also I bought the entire box and unless non plus fit in a Bach box, they are baches

[Smallclub]

I am 100% sure that I have small hands. Also I bought the entire box and unless non plus fit in a Bach box, they are baches

Oh ok sorry… I though canucks had large lumberjack hands…

[Ophidion]

They do, but I'm from the US