Cordoba & Morales Clave Cubana Lancero – Pre-Release Cigar Review

I wanted to try something round and decided to make a Lancero.  It is killer. It is a 7.5 x 38 cigar, blended with the same leaf as the rest of the Clave Cubana line. They will be officially released in December of this year and the price point will be around $10.50.

The Clave Lancero is a San Andres wrapped Nicaraguan filler and binder cigar. But unlike the rest of the line it is not box pressed and is finished with a simple pig tail cap. The barrel aroma was that of fermented tobacco and the foot had a peppery scent. “Z” did mention that these were still pretty fresh and have been in the aging room for only about 2 months. The San Andres wrapper was a dark chocolate-brown and had that distinctive San Andres roughness to it. The veins were small and the seams tight.

The cigar was firmly packed with no soft spots and I can tell it was constructed as well as the Family Reserve Lancero. It is adorned with the classy white and gold band with the image of “Z’s” Grandmother, Célestina Cordoba y  Morales, on the back of the band when you remove it.

Well the moment of truth arrived, I bit the pig tail off and did a draw test and it was unrestricted with a sweet and buttery flavor. I fired it up using a single flame torch being careful not to over scorch the foot. The first few puffs hit me with some heavy pepper, which cleansed the nasal passages on the retro-hale. Like all Cordoba & Morales cigars, there is plenty of mouth filling smoke. The ash is just like the other Vitolas in the line; lily-white and toothy.

After the initial burn, the pepper continued for about an inch or so, slowly mellowing as notes of bitter sweet chocolate entered. The pepper and chocolate danced together for a while in a nice balance of toungue teasing flavors. As it neared the middle of the 2nd third, the spice all but faded and some espresso flavor entered the mix with a back note  of dried fruit. The fruit was subtle. The strength started to pick up in the second third, which I expected, based on the othe Clave Cubanas I have enjoyed. Did I mention to eat something before you smoke a Clave Cubana from Cordoba & Morales? The ash did fall about every inch and half throughout the burn but the burn line was always razor-sharp; never needing a touch up.

Getting into the final third and already past the one hour mark, the strength has further intensified to maximum. There is no doubt this is a powerhouse of a stogie – as I grab a nice glass of ice water to drink and wipe the sweat from my brow. This is not meant for a beginner and may pose a challenge to even the most experienced smoker. So be careful out there my Brothers and Sisters of the Leaf.

There were no hot spots anywhere along the ride and the last few puffs down to the nub provided a surpizingly deliscious nutty flavor with a delighful waft of cocoa coming of the foot.