Lancero Review Head-To-Head: Group 1 Winner

Alright, folks, I’ve been promising this for a little while and I’m finally getting my lazy ass around to getting to it.  If you’ve followed through the reviews of these first four lanceros, you probably know we’re off to a pretty good start.  After starting this little project, I’ve had requests to expand it to include other lanceros besides these four.  So what I’m going to do, is break it down into groups of four, pick a winner for each group and then put those winners side-by-side and crown a supreme champion lancero.  Of course, that doesn’t really mean much to anyone else, but, hell, at least I get to smoke a bunch of lanceros.  Works for me.

Clicking on the cigar name will take you to the full review.

Nestor Miranda Special Selection Lancero
Rating:
Price: $6.75

Overall Impression: Well, we’re out the gate with a strong competitor.  Hot damn, but this is a fine smoke.  I don’t often get excited about a cigar, as I smoke a lot and it takes a lot to impress me.  This one definitely impressed me and will easily become a staple in my humidor.  It’s a good solid medium body, but I didn’t get the spice that others claim it has.  If you haven’t tried this, you are definitely missing out.  Its taste is the standout feature of this cigar, and it would have received a perfect rating had it burned slightly better.  Get your hands on these before I buy them all for myself.

EO Cubao No. 3 Lancero
Rating:
Price: $6.80

Overall Impression: This is the kind of cigar that forces you to distinguish between flavor and strength.  Many people confuse the two, but there are full-bodied cigars and there are full-flavored cigars.  They’re different.  This is definitely a full-flavored cigar that is just pure enjoyment.  The only reason it didn’t get another half-star in the rating is that it could have had a little better construction.  Flavor is subjective, but if you like full to medium-full bodied cigars, I can almost guarantee that you’ll love this.

Oliva Serie V Lancero
Rating:
Price: $5.30

Overall Impression: This is a very decent cigar.  It’s my favorite out of the Oliva Serie V line, but it’s just slightly above average overall.  The price point is a big plus on this at or even under $5 per stick.  Now, as far as the comparison goes, it just doesn’t hold up to the other lanceros reviewed up to this point.  It’s a good stick on its own, but it’s not a great stick if you ask me.

La Aurora Preferidos Cameroon Lancero
Rating:
Price: $9.50

Overall Impression: Well, at $9-10, I’m a little torn.  The construction and quality of this stick is very good.  It burns well, draws well, looks good, etc.  I’m a full-bodied cigar lover, so I didn’t mind the strength, but this seemed like it was strong just to be strong.  I wanted to like this cigar more than I did end up liking it.  With the stick going badly at the end, plus the higher price tag, I just can’t give this more than I did.

And the clear winner is….

Now, looking at the progression, I guess in this group I started with the best.  I can tell you that I have smoked plenty of these Nestor Mirandas since the first review and when looking for a lancero out of this group, it’s the one I always reach for.  I’ll be posting on Twitter for recommendations for my next group or, if there’s one you know will beat the Nestor, let me know in a comment.

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1. 

   JasonT says:

   May 23, 2009 at 12:58 am

   Nice pick. I’ve smoke quite a few of the Nestor lanceros and I haven’t had a bad experience yet. For me though, the Cubao was a little better flavor-wise. Not by much though. I like this head-to-head angle.