JDN Lancero - An Elegant Anatno?!

[smokemifyagotem]

It’s been a while since I wrote a review, but after my smoking experience tonight I felt compelled to come inside and write about this smoke.

First the basics:

Size: 7.5 x 38

Appearance: Nice brown wrapper and as with all Antanos it had that beautiful reddish/copper hue that I love. Smooth and velvety looking with minimal veins.

Draw: Cut nicely and had a perfect draw for this size – slightly tight so as not to burn too hot. Plumes of smoke.

Now to the good stuff:

First off let me say I have always been a HUGE fan of all the JDN Antanos. I love the spicy peppery flavor they have, even if they can be a little harsh and one dimensional at times. Well, I have to say the Lancero threw me for a loop. This one tasted like no other Antano I’ve ever smoked. Dare I use the adjectives SMOOTH, REFINED, COMPLEX, ELEGANT, to describe an Antano??? Well, I’m gonna darnit!

First thing I noticed after lighting this guy was the typical Antano KILLER spice was not entirely there. Don’t get me wrong, it was spicy, but if the Machitos are a 10 on the spice scale I give these a 7.5. What caught my attention next was the INCREDIBLE flavor this thing had. It had a very smooth but full bodied mocha latte flavor with hints of sweet graham cracker, molasses, earth, leather, and maybe even a slight fruitiness that I just can’t describe – and yes, I swear I detected that “twang” as well…. As I was smoking it I tried to figure out what other cigars I would compare the flavor to and I came up with a cross b/t a Mag 46, Pepin Blue, and Padilla 8/11 – but mainly I would say it leaned toward the Mag 46 flavor profile. I know Don Pepin has been getting a lot of press lately (and rightfully so), but this JDN was better than any Pepin I’ve ever smoked hands down. I can honestly say that if you gave this to me unbanded and told me it was an isom, not only would I believe you, I would say it was one of the top 10 ones I’ve ever had – and I have been smoking for over 12 years now.

In conclusion, this was one of the best full bodied cigars I have smoked in a long time regardless or origin. And even better, by the box these work out to an insane $3.50 a piece! The steal of the century IMO!!! I smoked this only 3 weeks out of the box and I can only dream of how good these will be in a few years…..

[smokeyscotch]

Originally Posted by smokemifyagotem

It’s been a while since I wrote a review, but after my smoking experience tonight I felt compelled to come inside and write about this smoke.

First the basics:

Size: 7.5 x 38

Appearance: Nice brown wrapper and as with all Antanos it had that beautiful reddish/copper hue that I love. Smooth and velvety looking with minimal veins.

Draw: Cut nicely and had a perfect draw for this size – slightly tight so as not to burn too hot. Plumes of smoke.

Now to the good stuff:

First off let me say I have always been a HUGE fan of all the JDN Antanos. I love the spicy peppery flavor they have, even if they can be a little harsh and one dimensional at times. Well, I have to say the Lancero threw me for a loop. This one tasted like no other Antano I’ve ever smoked. Dare I use the adjectives SMOOTH, REFINED, COMPLEX, ELEGANT, to describe an Antano??? Well, I’m gonna darnit!

First thing I noticed after lighting this guy was the typical Antano KILLER spice was not entirely there. Don’t get me wrong, it was spicy, but if the Machitos are a 10 on the spice scale I give these a 7.5. What caught my attention next was the INCREDIBLE flavor this thing had. It had a very smooth but full bodied mocha latte flavor with hints of sweet graham cracker, molasses, earth, leather, and maybe even a slight fruitiness that I just can’t describe – and yes, I swear I detected that “twang” as well…. As I was smoking it I tried to figure out what other cigars I would compare the flavor to and I came up with a cross b/t a Mag 46, Pepin Blue, and Padilla 8/11 – but mainly I would say it leaned toward the Mag 46 flavor profile. I know Don Pepin has been getting a lot of press lately (and rightfully so), but this JDN was better than any Pepin I’ve ever smoked hands down. I can honestly say that if you gave this to me unbanded and told me it was an isom, not only would I believe you, I would say it was one of the top 10 ones I’ve ever had – and I have been smoking for over 12 years now.

In conclusion, this was one of the best full bodied cigars I have smoked in a long time regardless or origin. And even better, by the box these work out to an insane $3.50 a piece! The steal of the century IMO!!! I smoked this only 3 weeks out of the box and I can only dream of how good these will be in a few years…..

Nice review. Makes me wanna smoke one of mine.

[discdog]

Great review. I'm really learning to appreciate the lanceros. And the JdN is one of my favorites.

[johnnybot3000]

Thanks for the great review. I'm liking the flavor profile you described and have tried some of those other cigars you compare this one to. Add that I've been getting into these smaller ring gauges recently, and you got another cigar that I have to add to the list.

[ky toker]

Great review! Not sure about some of the flavor profile, but it was a good read.

I like the JDN's and I almost picked up a petite corona yesterday while grabbing some beer, but for some odd reason I walked out without it. I'm going to grab one of these Lanceros, as I usually prefer a robusto I've been finding the appeal of the thinner ring guage. Unfortunately I just don't know of many good NC lanceros.

Can't wait to burn one of these.

[Boston_Dude05]

Fantastic review. I also really like the JDN Antanos.

[smokemifyagotem]

I just had another one last night and even better than the first. One adjective I don't think I stressed enough in the initial review was SWEET. Very uncharacteristic of an Antano, but these things are very sweet tasting - maybe the sweetest cigar (non-flavored) that I've ever had. They have a syrupy burnt sugar sweetness that hits you right in the middle of the tongue.

[Xmodius]

Very nice review. And the cigar sounds great.

I have been meaning to try one of these. I have really liked all of the JDN Antano cigars that I have tried so far.

[GAW]

Based on your 5/30 review I bought a box and have smoked about 5 so far. Just finished one in fact! I have been on Pepin overload lately and have been looking for another full-bodied Nic. Draws have been a little tight but over all have enjoyed them and agree with you, they are smooth and have a very distinct sweetness.Great review and F/U and thanks to a CS bro for finding me a new and enjoyable smoke although I'm not fosaking those Tats altogether. Best, Jerry

[kheffelf]

Thanks for the review, I have been wanting to try one for awhile.

[smokemifyagotem]

Originally Posted by GAW

Based on your 5/30 review I bought a box and have smoked about 5 so far. Just finished one in fact! I have been on Pepin overload lately and have been looking for another full-bodied Nic. Draws have been a little tight but over all have enjoyed them and agree with you, they are smooth and have a very distinct sweetness.Great review and F/U and thanks to a CS bro for finding me a new and enjoyable smoke although I'm not fosaking those Tats altogether. Best, Jerry

Im glad your enjoying them. I have had a few w/ tight draws as well, but I've experienced that with all the JDN sizes. I've found that they smoke better at 62 - 65 humidity. Also, 6+ months in the humi does wonders for the draw.

[smokin5]

Nice review - I'll have to put these on "the list".

[G-Man]

I have been talking about these for a while. I really like them. There is just something about the smaller ring gauge that really refines this blend. I don't know if they are better every Pepin I have smoked, but they are certainly one of my favorites.

Speaking of Pepin and Lancero, anyone think we can get Cigar King to add a Habana Leon Lancero to the line?.....Hmmmmm.

Nice Review.

[nonameman]

Looks like I need to try this cigar again after reading this review. The first one I had was too plugged to smoke.

Originally Posted by G-Man

I have been talking about these for a while. I really like them. There is just something about the smaller ring gauge that really refines this blend. I don't know if they are better every Pepin I have smoked, but they are certainly one of my favorites.

Speaking of Pepin and Lancero, anyone think we can get Cigar King to add a Habana Leon Lancero to the line?.....Hmmmmm.

Nice Review.

The incredible Pepin Blue Lancero I smoked today gave me the sweats, so I can't imagine what a Habana Leon Lancero would do to someone.

[Cypress]

My wife and I smoked two last night and I have to say I was highly disappointed. Dont get me wrong the flavor was great but the two that we smoked were plugged we didnt get much smoke out of it. We both layed both of them down half way through.