This is a special edition vitola from Ashton (the makers of this cigar, along with Don Pepin Garcia), and as I have stated before this is one of my favorite sizes when it is made right. The cigar is beautiful, containing a dark, rich looking wrapper. The head is finished with a quirky pigtail cap, in line with the tradition of lanceros. The pre light aroma is of deep, rich tobacco and spice. The pre light draw shows notes of tobacco, spice and cocoa.
The cigar begins with a powerful profile of tobacco and muted spice notes. There is a sweetness at the back of the palate that conjures pine nuts. The burn and draw are excellent, and I firmly believe that Pepin Garcia is the master of this vitola. The profile maintains this orientation for the first inch and a half.
At just before the two inch mark, the profile is mellowing out to a nice arrangement of pine nuts, earth and tobacco. The depth of the flavors is excellent, but the complexity is somewhat lacking and I believe that there is room in the profile for more flavors. The burn and draw remain solid and the cigar is performing extremely well.
The final half of the cigar shows notes of tobacco, spice, pine nuts and earth. Again the depth of the flavors is superb, but more complexity would be a nice additive. The burn and draw have been flawless and I would stack the construction of this cigar against any lancero that I have smoked.
The finish is smooth and potent, but a trace of bitterness is present. There are flavors of earth and rich tobacco.
Appearance- 93 an excellent looking cigar, the pigtail cap could be more prominent and the wrapper was slightly veiny
Taste- 91 an excellent profile that had lots of depth, but could have used more complexity
Construction- 96 a fine example of this vitola
Strength- 91 an enjoyable full bodied presentation
Overall- 92.75 an excellent smoke
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