Exiting out of my comfort zone, I went to a place I never thought I would find myself — with a Lancero. A Lancero is, traditionally, a 38 x 7.5″ cigar — long and thin and all together not looking anything like a cigar at all. It’s a skinny Churchill. It’s far too European. Interestingly enough, the Lancero size is one of the most popular sizes in Europe. In America, we think it’s effeminate…in Europe, it’s dignified.
For the Tatuaje Lancero — it’s amazing.
Pete Johnson is the force behind Tatuaje cigars. Since they came into existence, the Tatuaje (TAH-tu-WAH-hey) brand has become synonymous with incredible smokes. Flavor, construction, burn — all remarkable. I’ve had many Tatuaje cigars, and never had a bad experience. But this is my first experience with the Lancero size.
Turns out Johnson is also a huge fan of the Lancero. From a Cigar Aficionado article in 2008, Johnson said of the Lancero:
“Love lanceros…They were part of my original six brown-label sizes five years ago. I was making this in early 2003 when everyone was running from them, except maybe Carlito.”
Carlito is Carlos “Carlito” Fuente, of the Fuente family. That’s good company to be in.
The cigar itself is fairly attractive, a warm, deeper brown. Some prominent veins running through it, but I can’t complain about the construction. The binder and filler are Nicaraguan, while the wrapper is an Ecuadorian Habano. The flavor combination is remarkably smooth, and rather rich. Many comment that the flavors include some leather, mocha and coffee tastes and a bit of pepper. I’m taken at just how much flavor there is, and that is a function of the Lancero size. So much flavor comes from the wrapper, and the Lancero size offers the most wrapper possible. The ash burns a very nice white, but I wasn’t able to get a long ash (which I’m sure has something to do with putting it down ever 10 seconds to write this.)
Much of the enjoyment of a cigar, for me, is how it feels in your hand. The Lancero doesn’t work for me in that regard. It’s just too small in my fingers to rest comfortably. It’s something that I’ll have to get over to smoke this again, because the flavor is just too good. If you are new to cigars, feel free to start here. The more you get into the cigar, the more the flavor you’ll get, but nothing here is too hard to take for the first time smoker. If an experienced smoker, you know how good Tatuaje cigars are. Now, get out of your comfort zone and give the Tatuaje Lancero a try.
No one will look at you funny, and you’ll be too busy enjoying to notice.
I’m back. I’ve figured out that you smoke cigars that only real aficionados can find in the specialty shops in a half dozen of the largest metropolitan areas. Which is fine, I don’t mind learning something new every day, even at my age. So thanks for the interesting views, I’ll just keep in mind there is no chance I will ever see one, much less smoke one.
Cliff. Buddy. Where do you live? Tatuaje & Illusione have accounts in over 1000 shops across the US. I see them everywhere when I travel. Unless you are going to a tobacco outlet place or buying your sticks at a gas station, you can find these at a proper cigar shop.
There are a couple online retailers that specialize in boutique brands. Google “serious cigars” and expand your horizons.
Cliff,
You should have no problem finding Tatuaje Cigars from any reputable cigar shop or tobacconist. Really….no problem at all.
– Tony
Tony,
Thanks for going small. A good friend of mine spent a considerable amount for a Cohiba Lancero in Palma de Mallorca in 1993, before the cigar boom broke the socialist’s capacity to respond to market forces. I got a very nice Rothschild, which the Communists call Robusto, and was quite pleased with it during a 3 hour lunch outside of city hall in Palma.
Now, go cheap or go figurado. Or go cheap figurado from JR Cigar’s.
My problem with local tobacconists is that their markup for state taxes is atrocious, and I hate paying sin taxes. The best part of buying from JR Cigars is that they are out of North Carolina, where tobacco isn’t a sin.
Patrick,
Many people order from online warehouses to get better prices. However, this circumvents certain taxes which the buyer is still responsible for, depending on the state you live in. It is possible for the state to send you a bill for the taxes in question!
Also, I like supporting the local shops. It’s where I find great conversation, and a comfortable place to enjoy a cigar. Online may be cheaper in the short run, but the shops are where it’s at!
– Tony