Lanceros, you either like them or you don’t. As for me, I love a well made lancero. It is the one vitola where you get the maximum amount of wrapper flavor and if rolled properly, a prefect burn. So is the case with the Protocol Probable Cause Lancero, the latest line extension to the Cubariqueño Cigar Company Protocol line. The company released the Protocol Probable Cause last year and it was a magnificent cigar from Bill Ives and Juan Cancel. So like the original Protocol, the team decided to extend the line with a lancero.
The Protocol Probable Cause Lancero will be officially introduced at this years IPCPR trade so in Ls Vegas this coming July, but I got a couple from the company to review. I normally don’t do a specific review of each vitola in a line, usually updating the original with some of the notes, but this cigar is on I felt deserved its own review.
According to their press release, the Cubariqueño Cigar Company states
“The Probable Cause Lancero will stand in at 7 ½ x 38 and will be box pressed. It will be available in 10-count boxes. The price of the Lancero will M.S.R.P. at $10.50. The Protocol Probable Cause Lancero is being introduced as a regular production”
Like the original Protocol Probable Cause Lancero, the blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Mexican San Andreas Maduro
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan
As with the all Protocol blends, the Probable Cause Lancero is produced by the master Torcedores at Erik Espinosa’s La Zona factory in Estelí, Nicaragua
Pre-Light Examination
The Probable Cause Lancero is a dark brown and marbled, slightly rugged,box pressed cigar. There are some noticeable veins running along the barrel along with a characteristic grit to the San Andreas wrapper. It is finished with a well applied triple cap.
The band is the same as the original Probable Cause with its red, black, and silver die cut motif with the Protocol logo centered in the middle, It has a secondary band that declares it as the Probable Cause.
On the nose I picked caramel and pepper notes off the foot and a sweet fermented leaf along the barrel.
I made a simple slice of the cap to open it up. The cold draw a tad tight with notes of red pepper and sweetness.
Having set my expectation and knowing what the original Probable Cause delivered, it was time to turn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
Protocol Probable Cause Lancero
Protocol Probable Cause Lancero
Protocol Probable Cause Lancero
Protocol Probable Cause Lancero
Protocol Probable Cause Lancero
Protocol Probable Cause Lancero
Protocol Probable Cause Lancero
Protocol Probable Cause Lancero
Protocol Probable Cause Lancero
- Red Pepper – Ouch! That first puff blew out the nostrils on the retro hale – feeling it in the throat too
- Surprising amount of smoke right out of the gate, considering the tight cold draw
- Pepper tones down after a half-inch but I still feel it on the lips
- A slightly flaky, salt and pepper ash develops
- Wood and caramel sweetness finally break through with a smooth butter encasement
- Cherry adds to the profile as the butter moves to more of a cream
- Ash holds for about an inch
- The char line is ultra thin
It’s a rainy day here in Florida, so I as puff on this cigar I cue up some classic rainy day songs to make this carry me through this smokey journey – Riders on the Storm, Stormy Monday, Have You Ever Seen the Rain, the Rain Song, etc. I just love rain storms, especially in here in Florida, it is like being in a rain forest, a great reason to enjoy a cigar – as if I need reason.
- Coffee enters with a sweet floral aroma
- The buttery cherry fruit has a long finish
- Mild Spice enters end of first third
- Coffee builds with a touch of chocolate
- Spice continues
- Cedar enters around the half way point
- Strength is solidly full at this point
- Outstanding burn, a perfect lancero
- Savory notes entering in flavor and aroma
- Citrus builds in the second third tantalizing the palate
Ok, so I have to say, the strength on this is off the chart, and though this happens rarely, I had to put it down and take a rest. I am thinking Juan and Bill are taking notes from Litto Gomez. I mean seriously, there is not a lot of leaf to work with in a lancero, and some how they found a way to crank up the strength and not sacrifice on flavor.
- Picked it back up and was greeted with some spiced chocolate
- Spicy nut aroma enters
- Smoke has been full and creamy all the way to the end
- Finishes with pepper on the palate and spice on the lips and an enticing sweetness in the background.
- Must I say again, the strength was solid full – off the chart.
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes
Overall, the Protocol Probable Cause Lancero was an outstanding cigar that was complex in flavor and solid in strength. The burn was pristine and required zero touch ups or relight, except when I set it down for a little to rest my spinning head. When compared to the original Probable Cause Lancero, I picked up most of the notes, but the Licorice and Almond was not detected but there seemed to be a bit more chocolate. In any case, this is certainly a cigar I would recommend to any seasoned palate. Of course, with the strength needled pinned I highly suggest eating a good meal before lighting this up!
Protocol Probable Cause Lancero