Cohiba Lanceros MEL Jun 16 : 46 South Review Weekend

[MrGlass]

For this review, I decided to fire up the Cohiba Lanceros.  This particular cigar came from the 2017 Christmas sampler, so I think it was a 2017 cigar, but if anyone happens to recall the exact year and box codes for the samplers, feel free to list it.  This is my first Cohiba Lanceros, and I had been saving this cigar for the right occasion since receiving it at Christmas.  This review competition felt like the right time to break it out and treat myself, so I paired it with a Blue Pyrenees Midnight Cuvée, setup my laptop on the balcony and before I knew it the evening had turned to tomorrow.

The cold draw brought out hints of sweetness and lemongrass.  The draw itself was quite firm, but I think that is to be expected with a cigar as long and skinny as this.  Firing the cigar up, the opening was incredibly mild with that sweet lemongrass Cohiba are notorious for coming through.  The draw remained tight, but it was manageable.  Regardless, the cigar just felt elegant, and time itself seemed to slow down while smoking this.  The cigar did not want to be rushed, nor did I feel any inclination to do so.

Moving into the middle third, there was a gradual increase in strength as the sweetness faded and I was just left with grass.  This was the case until about the halfway point of the cigar when it instantaneously transitioned to black coffee.  I had never had a change quite like it before - one puff was grass, and literally the next was like sipping black coffee.  As it continued, it was like someone began slowly adding sugar to the coffee.

Going into the final third, it was time to start adding cream to that sweet coffee.  Towards the end of the cigar, the coffee was finished and I was left with that sweetened cream.  When the finger burning became unmanageable, the total smoke time was right on 3 hours.

This was my first experience with the Cohiba Lanceros, and thankfully it won't be my last.  Try as I might, I ultimately had high expectations for this, which is a sure-fire way to make even a great cigar feel average, but this definitely exceeded my expectations.  It really did feel like this cigar sent me back to a time that has long since passed, showing simple elegance and class rather than ostentatiousness.  The size definitely made it more difficult to smoke, but boy did it reward you for the effort.  I can see now why this format is falling out of favour, and that is such a terrible shame.  

[kaleehb]

Great review and thanks for sharing! Too bad these are not commonly found in the 24:24, or at least not when my bank account allows for me to purchase?. Cheers!

[Derboesekoenig]

7 minutes ago, kaleehb said:

Great review and thanks for sharing! Too bad these are not commonly found in the 24:24, or at least not when my bank account allows for me to purchase?. Cheers!

They come up. The problem is that they are sold out in about 2.7 seconds.  Great review! Maybe one day I will be quick enough to score some of these here.

[HabanosNJGuy]

My only Lancero was also from the Christmas sampler.  It was AMO JUN 16.  Far and away the stud cigar of the sampler.  It outshined the Esplendido, Siglo VI, Sir Winnie, etc.  I agree with your review, but I got more of a tangy lemony flavor in the second third instead of black coffee.  Loved the transitions throughout each third.  I had no construction, burn issues until the very end.  I found it hard to pace myself and could never make it last for three hours.  But I am a believer, the hype for this cigar is real.

[Islandboy]

Nice review. The Christmas sampler Lancero remains one of the tastiest cigars I’ve ever had, loved the transitions and slow build up of flavors.

[JohnS]

The Lanceros from the Xmas Sampler was a little older than what we all expected...it was MEL Jun 16, in fact!

[JaeVee]

A lancero was my first Cuban in 1997 and it still my favorite. Anyone wanna split a box when they come up? I ALWAYS miss the 24:24 with Lanceros

[MrGlass]

3 hours ago, JohnS said:

The Lanceros from the Xmas Sampler was a little older than what we all expected...it was MEL Jun 16, in fact!

Cheers for updating the title with the correct details John.

[Ericbrobes]

Great review! That is one of my wishlisted smokes!

[Optic101]

Nice review

[DeskSmkr]

Now I’m convinced I’d like to try these soon  

Once was I on the fence, now cast far on the other side.  

Such as a slight breeze was all it took; a good review and the praises of some.