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El Triunfador Lancero

Apr 24, 2009 Cigar

Well, good secrets are hard to keep.  When word about this small batch release by Pete Johnson hit – the wait was on for this new blend to start shipping.  Available in very small quantities – this lancero was created to establish the El Triunfador name from it’s Cuban past.  Another old Cuban brand name brought to life again.  The papeleta design was taken from the original cuban artwork.  For this lancero, the packaging is simple.  25 Cigars are bound by a ribbon and wrapped in wax paper inside a simple, vertical box with a slide top.  Padded inside, at the top and bottom for shipping – these pigtail lanceros are safe and ready to enjoy.

According to Pete, this blend is for the lancero only.  If El Triunfador is turned into an entire brand – the blend and packaging will change for the other sizes.  Just released in Sept. 2008 – this vitola is available at only a few vendors and will continue to be made “in small quantities here and there”.

With a naturally dark, Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and all Nicaraguan filler the El Triunfador is similar in blend to the Cabiguan Maduro cigars now available.

Now, on to the review.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Size: 7.5 x 38 (Lancero)
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

APPEARANCE and CONSTRUCTION -

The El Triunfadoris a very pretty lancero. It’s an ultra dark brown broadleaf wrapper. The wrapper is very toothy to the touch with a super oily sheen. It has a traditional pigtail at the cap and looks to be well constructed. No soft spots or mistakes anywhere on the body. All in all a really nice looking presentation.

SMOKING CHARACTERISTICS –

Right off the bat, the wrapper has a sweet earthy aroma. Not too intense, but just enough to get you interested. The foot had a similar, but more intense aroma. I used my usual punch on the cigar and it cit perfectly. The draw was perfect. Not always a given for lanceros. The cold draw had a light spice with a sweet tobacco flavor. The lancero lit beautifully and maintained an even burn for 75% of the smoke. I had one instance in the first third and then again in the final third where I needed a light touch up, but nothing to complain about. The El Triunfador gave off a large volume of dense smoke that seemed to linger for a little while before fading.

FLAVOR –

Flavor is where this cigar really impresses. From the first puffs, I got a range of flavors that really impressed me. It started with a sweet spice that quickly transitioned into a rich espresso or mocha type flavor. At the midway point it turned a little chocolaty but kept that light spice in the background. The final third introduced some woody flavors that transitioned nicely from the chocolate and spice. I know it sounds like a lot, but trust me, there was a lot of complexity in this.

OVERALL IMPRESSION –

The El Triunfador really impressed me. I generally like Pete Johnson’s cigars, but this particular blend hit me the right way. I found it to be incredibly complex and satisfying. The transition of flavors throughout the smoke made me want to savor it and smoke it much slower. This could easily be one of the best non-cuban lanceros I’ve ever had. If you have any interest in this vitola at all, or if you enjoy cigars with a range of complex flavors, run out and get some of these now. You won’t be sorry.

TOTAL SCORE – 96

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Tags: Broadleaf Maduro, Cuban Brand, El Trinufador, lancero, Pete Johnson, Tatuaje