Newbie Review - Sancho Panza Caballero

[bman40]

Please bear with me on this, my first attempt at reviewing a cigar. I am new to cigar smoking and have only had about a dozen so far.

Let me start off by saying that my cigar experience has been ‘backwards’ to a certain extent; the first cigar I smoked was a Saint Luis Rey Cuban from my boss, followed by a Hoyo de Monterrey Cuban, and then working towards the lower priced cigars that I can get here in Vancouver Canada. By lower priced I mean around $13 to $15 which is a ‘mid-point’ here. I have tried Quintero, Fonseca and Por Larranaga at this price point, and while they are OK, they are not great.

So…. in order to save some bux, I ordered a 5-pack of Tatuaje P2 and a fiver of Sancho Panza Caballeros from Atlantic Cigar, and had them shipped to a post box in the US, where I picked them up and ‘*ahem* brought’ them home – they arrived no worse for wear, and rested in my coolerdor for about a week.

Caballero Review

A grand-corona kind of size – 6.25” by 45 ring size – it’s a nice looking smoke, and feels well-balanced in the hand.

Construction – from what I can assess - given my limited experience, this is a fine looking cigar, smooth brown wrapper, with very light veins. Nice cap, and no loose wrapper that I could detect.

Pre-light aroma – slightly sweet, spicy aroma, a great scent.

Lighting – my coolerdor was a bit damp, I think, so the light was a bit ‘off’ – it took two tries to get it running, and then it went out twice in the first 5 minutes (my mistake, not the smoke’s). After I got it going, there was an abundance of nice, creamy smoke.

Smoke review:

First 1/3 – nice, sweet, woody flavour, good draw, and an even burn.

Second 1/3 – the flavour got a bit ‘darker’ and spicier. I had a bit of a throat thing happening – it seemed a bit hot, but I slowed down on the puffs and it got better.

Last 1/3 – definite strong, spicy flavour, with some woody notes.

This puppy lasted me 45 minutes or so, so it has some legs.

Overall: I liked the cigar, and the spiciness stayed with me for a couple of hours. I bought these with the Tatuaje P2’s, which I feel were a better smoke – but the Caballero was nothing to sneeze at. I like this cigar and the price is good ($16.50 for 5 from Atlantic).

As a newb, these are a good cigar, approachable, good flavour and construction, and provide a good cigar experience.

Barry

[FN in MT]

Feel SO Sorry for You guys up North. Your tax on tobbaco is absolutely CRAZY. One hudred sixty per cent IIRC??

At least down here we can order from an online B&M, get it shipped to your door and save a few bucks. Not the same up there. You guys are really stuck.

Here in MT our tax is 50% and even my B&M's prices make most any of the good smokes $8-$12. Couldn't imagine doubling that price.

Glad to hear You have found a way "around" your situation.

You should take a look at Carlos Torano, Oliva, Rocky Patels, Padrons, Montecristo, Perdomo just to name a few good brands that are reasonably priced for the quality you get.

FN in MT

[travclem]

Good Review. I personally love the sancho panza double maduro. I'm not sure which one the caballero is but if it's not a DM you should pick up some DMs on your next order. thanks again for the review

[bman40]

One of the first cigars I tried - and really enjoyed - was a Carlos Torano Nicaragua Selction a petit corona, priced at $9 each here.

I foudn the same cigar at JR Cigars for 50 for about $70. I called customs and asked about duty / tax / etc. and for $70 of smokes, the total bill was going to be $162.

Hence my search for 'alterantives'.

barry