Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican
Size: 7,5 x 38 Lancero
Strength: Medium/Full
Price: $11.95
My sticks have had a bit over 3 months of lazing about naked in my humidor.
Once again, it is déjà vu all over again.
A very limited production of 2500 boxes of 12 were released in November 2022…AND they are still on the market. How could that be?
Technically, these cigars have 2 years of aging after being boxed.
BACKGROUND:
In 2020, Four Kicks released three sizes (Robusto, Corona Gorda, and Toro) of this blend. The next year saw a perfecto. The Lancero was released into the wild in 2022..
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza S.A. (E.P. Carrillo)
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
Plenty of aromas to go around: strong influence of raisins, dark chocolate, black pepper, strong espresso, malt, cedar, baking spices, Almond Roca, and black licorice.
I find that most Lanceros I smoke have plug issues. Surprisingly, this one has a draw that is faultless. I use my PerfecDraw draw adjustment tool to lance a boil on Sammy the Cat’s ass. The tool begs me to not do this ever again. I reassure it.
Nice start. Complex tobacco notes show up immediately. Aging didn’t hurt this blend one bit. Black pepper, creaminess, dark chocolate, sweet raisins, Frosted Flakes, malt, and cedar.
Strength hits medium out of the gate.
If the cigar keeps this up, I will be duly impressed. But can its depth of character develop wisely? Hope so.
The balance hits the 10 ring just as quickly. A gorgeous Sweet v. Savory is in play.
Creaminess takes off like sex with your first sheep.
I’m listening to Classic Soul from the 60’s and 70’s. It was a classic era for music. But then so was the 50’s. Everyone has their beloved period for music memories. I lucked out being center stage for the birth of rock ‘n roll and Motown.
The blend gets slammed with spiciness…black pepper and red pepper dive into the deep end together…disarming the nuances except for the creaminess.
I bought a fiver on a whim. I’ve smoked a couple and realized I hadn’t reviewed them. This cigar is deemed worthy for 3-4 hours of my time to pass on old man wisdom. I can’t bring up the ‘W’ word in front of Charlotte because she can’t control her laughter.
1-1/2” is burned in only 17 minutes. It is enough to find the first sweet spot.
I played in a classic soul band when we lived in Chicago 2005-2008. An incredible town for music. I’m listening to Jackie Wilson’s “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher.” That bass line was a bitch because other instruments played in different time signatures. Still, what an iconic song.
The sweet spot is full of immense complexity and richness from the golden ticket of tobacco. The spiciness calms itself with street fentanyl. Creamy milk chocolate, raisins, cinnamon, espresso, Almond Roca, dried apricots, and malt rocket into the ozone filled sky.
The cigar is becoming a wunderkind.
Strength goes for the jugular. I hit the Berlin Wall of impassable power in the blink of an eye. The cigar transfers some of that power to a clean smoothness that brings the spiciness down to palatable proportions.
Butterscotch pudding. I like that. But just a fleeting flavor. Transitions are moving at a fast pace. The finish is flush with black and red pepper. The subtle flavors are pressed into a George Foreman grill.
The savory element of the aged tobacco keeps the balance in check. It is as if it puts it foot down and the spiciness is shamed into submission. This is a crazy blend that changes every quarter of an inch.
The spiciness is joined by hot cinnamon. Dried fruit gives the blend a treacly sweetness along with a touch of tartness.
The mocha latte division returns to the forefront, dragging vanilla ice cream with it.
The full strength is tolerable due to the intensity of the disparate flavor profile.
I’m only 2-1/2” in and haven’t a clue what’s ahead. 35 minutes burned.
A surprise blend is always a fun time. Lanceros are my favorite size. They age earlier. And they show the real passion from the blender in spades.
First sips of water and my boxers fall to the floor. I open the curtains. Who doesn’t want to see a naked 73-year-old man?
Keep your eyes peeled. Small Batch Cigar has a nice surprise for you that is just on the horizon.
The second sweet spot kicks into gear. Holy shit. Considering that the blend does not use a laundry list of leaves, the flavor profile is immensely proud of itself.
This cigar is much better than the original Four Kicks. A huge improvement.
Dr. Rod Kurthy has just released a 7-year project that will revolutionize dentistry. He developed an entire line of dentistry impression trays. We’ve all had to have a tray shoved into our mouth full of goopy crap that makes you gag. Even septuagenarians can still be useful. Pure genius. I can give you a link to his dental website next week.
Rod is also close to releasing some exciting new cigar accessories.
I love this cigar…even as its power begins to paralyze me.
Two years of box aging does not mellow its clout, but it does provide an exhilarating experience. The big list of flavors is in play without interference.
The halfway point arrives at one hour.
My red, white, and blue merkin begins to quiver.
This blend is a newbie killer. Those smokers with experience will cowboy up and take the shot to the gut.
I allow the cigar to take some extended rest time.
I’m so fucked up that I cannot figure out how to remove the main cigar band. My compressed brain finally figures it out.
The second half was just beyond outstanding. A massive flavor explosion. No need to list flavors once again as nothing has changed. The spiciness relents so my palate can relish everything I’ve described in flagrancy mode. The flavor profile is as intense as your first colonoscopy.
The rich smoothness is now rapture. Every puff is a treasure that I don’t want to end.
The intensity of the cigar’s power calms down with 3” to go.
The blend is better than ‘It’s A Small World’ on ‘shrooms.
I discovered in my 20’s, it is not a good idea to drop acid and go to Disneyland. The long lines are a buzz killer. My sister and stepsister went there when they were 15 and thought it a good idea to sneak a doobie on to Tom Sawyer’s Island. The place is crawling with undercover cops. They got busted and were relegated to Disney jail until my dad could come and pick them up.
A friend and I found that the best place to smoke a spliff is on the Disney Skyway. You just scoot down in the bucket and take a drag. Security is staffed with binoculars to catch the law breakers. We never got caught. Of course, wobbling off the ride is a solid indication of the effects of smoking a whole joint while sailing over the entire park. Security always noticed but since they didn’t catch you in the act, there was nothing they could do other than give you the stink eye. I wonder if their handcuffs had Mickey ears on them.
The cigar blend is an oasis for your brain and palate. A fucking great cigar. Seat belts are a good idea.
A lovely peppermint essence tames the spiciness.
Creaminess, chocolate, dried fruit, espresso, cinnamon, mocha latte, malt, Almond Roca, Frosted Flakes, vanilla, cedar, and an array of peppers takes me to the end of the cigar.
My PerfecDraw is great for nubbing this delicious cigar.
The cigar was a helluva’ journey. Seasoned smokers will love it.
The cigar performs seppuku at 90 minutes.
Get ‘em while they are still around.
Sponsors Small Batch Cigar (10% off with promo code ‘katman’), and Atlantic Cigar…no promo code.
RATING: 95
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
