Herrera Esteli Broadleaf Lancero (XNYRW2)

[ChangBang]

Don't usually smoke NCs these days, but was ordering some boveda packs and needed some filler to get free shipping and got this and a few other lanceros.  With me missing out on the CoLa's earlier in the week, I was pissed and felt like smoking a lancero to prove to myself that I don't need no stinkin CoLa's 😂

Went for the Xmas theme for a drink with an eggnog and smith and cross rum.  Think someone said milk wasn't a good pairing so I didn't know how this would go.  Give the cigar a cut and light and we're off!

1/3 - It started with a sweetness that changed into a earthiness.  Maybe some mushroom with that earth?  Gets a little oaky and notes of exhaust fumes.  As I progress it gets dirtier and dirtier, I'm imagining a sludge of left over tobacco clippings made into a soup that this was dipped in.  Dirty generic tobacco, earth, and a oak/smokeyness is how the first third finishes.  On the plus note the eggnog was fantastic!  I wished it overpowered the cigar so I didn't have to taste it.

2/3 - I'm either getting used to the cigar or it's mellowed out a bit.  Mostly earthy with hints of oaky bbq smoke.  Cigar needs constant relighting which is a shame since I'd hope for good construction out of NC.  Maybe it's a bit too wet - got it a few weeks ago and dry boxed it for a day.  Eggnog is still doing real good.

3/3 - Getting the same earthy bbq smoke note as the cigar ends.  

So I was trying to get the CoLa out of my mind and hoped this would help...it did not lol.  This wasn't a good cigar and not one that I'd smoke again even if free.  I'd give it a 2/10, it least it stopped being offensive after the first 3rd!