Vitola: Lancero- 7” x 38 ring gauge
- MSRP ~$12.50
- Purchased at Burns Tobacconist
Background
Has it really been 5 years? Yeah…it has…
In April 2014, the Herrera Esteli Lancero was released as a 2014 Limited Edition. I had to look back for my review on said Lancero and was surprised to find it that far back. This year, Drew Estate and Willy Herrera decided it was time to re-release that blend in that size. Well…almost…I measured the 2014 as 6.75” long and this one is definitely 7”. I don’t have an old one to compare it to.
The blend is the same as that used for the original Herrera Estelí…now known as the Herrera Estelí Habano…Nicaraguan fillers, a Honduran binder, and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.
I have smoked a couple of these before this review sample, all of which I purchased at Burns Tobacconist. At the time of this writing, our sponsor, Small Batch Cigar had them in stock to purchase.
Prelight
The Herrera Esteli Edicion Limitada 2019 Lancero has about the same look as the 2014 release, although the box design adheres more to the redesigned HE standards from last year. The cigar itself uses the original gold-rimmed band with white background and red type, along with a secondary band that is black and gold. The wrapper leaf of the cigar was a medium-dark brown color with a nice oiliness and veins that were visible, but not that prominent under my fingertips.
Giving the cigar a good sniff, the wrapper mostly had aromas of earth and cedar, while the foot had a little sweetness and bell pepper in the mix, as well. After clipping, I found an excellent cold draw that had flavors of wood and earth and pepper spice.
Flavor
Firing up the HE-EL 2019, I got a mix of cedar and hay, with black and red pepper mixed in and a subtle sweetness coming up from behind. The pencil-thin Lancero format allowed less smoke than some of Drew Estate’s other cigars—like the Liga 10 Year Aniversario I recently reviewed—but it was definitely enough to appreciate the full flavor that was coming through. The retrohale had roasted nuts and more pepper spice.
Getting into the second third, I noted an increase in sweetness in the form of a dried berry flavor, while the cedar died down substantially. I got some earth in the mix and more hay as secondary notes, and the pepper receded to become more of an accent.
The final third saw the pepper spice come back to more prominence, mixing well with the sweeter flavors I was still getting. Earthiness built up a bit, as well, and cedar notes were still in the mix.
Construction
I had a great draw, very even burn line and solid ash up to a half an inch or so.
Value
A little higher than the regular release, but worth it for the experience it delivers.
Conclusions
The first question to answer is “Is this release as good as the original?” To that, I have to say…if not, it’s so close that it’s irrelevant. This Herrera Esteli Habano Edicion Limitada 2019 Lancero was fantastic, delivering all the goodness that the blend is capable of, while adding more pepper, more sweetness…just more goodness. Get these while you can as they won’t be around long.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10
