Vitola: LAT Lancero
Size: 7.5” x 38 ring gauge
Price $9.99
Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
I still remember the first L’Atelier I smoked a couple years ago. The unique flavor was enough to leave me practically speechless (totally speechless? C’mon…you know me better than that!) and I ended up calling it one of my top cigars of the year for 2012 (in the LAT 52 vitola). I was less impressed by the LAT 46 SS, which for some reason didn’t hit me that well, but the L’Atelier Maduro ended up being one of my “Year of the Broadleaf” picks for 2013. Between work and preparing for this year’s Chattanooga Tweet-Up, plus putting together this new blog, I haven’t had time to keep up with “cigar news” as much as I would like, so when I discovered this Lancero in the humidor at Burns a few weeks back, I was very surprised…and pleased.
In case you missed it…or if you just need to review the facts…the flagship eponymous cigar from L’Atelier Imports is made by My Father Cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua. It features Nicaraguan filler and binder, along with an Ecuadorian wrapper called “Sancti Spiritus,” a hybrid of Criollo and Pelo de Oro. The company is partially owned by Pete Johnson, of Tatuaje Cigars fame, along with Dan Welsh, K.C. Johnson, and Casper Johnson. This review is based on the second time I smoked this vitola.
Prelight
As we’ve come to expect from My Father Cigars or Pete Johnson, the outward construction on this cigar looks fantastic. The wrapper leaf was a bit veiny, but quite oily to the touch, well-rolled and finished beautifully with a flag-tail. The band is the same as the original L’Atelier line; some criticized it for being derivative of the Cuban Behike brand, but I still think it looks good…and who cares, since the Commie-cigar alternative isn’t legally available here anyway! I gave the wrapper a sniff and picked up a nice mix of grass, leather and earth. The foot has a more pungent earthiness to it.
The prelight draw on the LAT Lancero was just a little tight, but the flavor was a great mix of cedar, earth, and dried berries.
Flavor
After lighting, the L’Atelier Lancero exploded with flavors of natural tobacco, cedar and dried fruit sweetness. There was a bit of bitterness on my tongue as well, and a rush of pepper spice and peanuts when I retrohaled. As I went along in the first third, I picked up some nutty notes on the palate, as well.
By the time I got to the second third, it was a full-on peanut butter note, with supporting flavors of cedar and earth, along with a bit of berry sweetness and pepper spice.
As I finished the second third and continued into the final, the cigar went out on me completely, prompting a relight. While the flavor was still very good, it did lose something during this time, while also gaining a good amount of nicotine strength. I continued getting peanut butter flavor as well as citrus notes and a bit of pepper burn.
Construction
The draw was a bit tight throughout, but not enough to really obstruct a good smoking experience. The ash was solid and the burn line was straight enough. The only issue was the same as all lanceros are subject to: I had to puff fairly frequently just to keep the cigar afire and smoking. At one point it did go out and I had to relight.
Value
As with all the L’Atelier lines, this cigar is reasonably priced.
Conclusions
I really enjoyed the L’Atelier Lancero, but found the slight construction issues prevented it from being a great cigar. The first sample I smoked didn’t have the same problems, so this is apparently a more sporadic issue that you might not have. It does highlight the reason why I’ve gravitated more toward Coronas in the last year or two, though, as they have almost all the flavor potential of a Lancero without nearly the amount of construction issues. The body on this was medium-plus, but the nicotine amount was fairly high, so I would caution newer smokers about that and add that these might be really great in another 6 months.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 1.5/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
Absolutely fantastic. The flavor profile sounds unique minus the construction issues. I was surprised there was none of the tea flavors so prevalent in the original release.
Great background & review. I’ll be on the lookout for one of these.
Texican these are great, I have smoked a few and love them.
Nice review Dave. I have enjoyed the LAT54 a few times at my local shop and have never been disappointed. Truly a great cigar. I am like you in regards to Lancero Vitola, have had issues keeping it lit and not my style. I prefer a good robusto or toro!
When I can find a Lancero line that is consistent with regard to construction, I’m very pleased. For the most part, I end up smoking a lot of Coronas: 90% of the flavor of a Lancero, with 10% of the construction problems.
Dave you did a great job with this review. I haven’t had much of the Lat projects but the ones I did have were very well done. I know I know See yesterday’s post about Pete and prices being to high… Suck it! The more I smoke the more I really enjoy Lanceros as well they seem to be right in my wheel house. great job!
LOL…you’re all over the map lately!
Its my time of the month!
Ahhh the Arsonist loves Lanceros and this is one of the great ones. Great review of a great cigar. Thanks Will you be at IPCPR?
No IPCPR for us…the show is for retailers and manufacturers and the organization has made their feelings about “new media” pretty clear. I’m sure I’ll get there sometime…but it will probably be under the “retailer” or “manufacturer” banner when I do.