Cigars.ie

The girls from El Laguito

If there is a cigar size that I could relate to a beautiful woman, that is without a doubt the Laguito No.1. Tall and slender, with a beautiful coiffure (I would rather not use the word pigtail in this comparison), the Laguito No.1 is a cigar that requires maximum craftsmanship. Unfortunately, this size is not popular anymore, with the fashion orders pointing towards short and stubby cigars, with only a handful of cigars of this size still in production.Two of these cigars have been made for years in Havana’s top factory, the El Laguito, and it’s these two I will be reviewing today.

The Cohiba Lancero and the Trinidad Fundador are two cigars with a large history. Both of them were made long before they were released to the market, intended only for diplomatic gifts.The Cohiba Lancero was first released in 1964, but it was not named until 1969. The Lancero was one of the highest diplomatic gift from the Cuban state, with every single box gifted signed by Fidel Castro, until 1982, when Cohiba was launched to the market and it was one of the three vitolas in the brand. The Lancero measures 7.6″ long by 38 ring gauge and its available in cartons of five and varnished semi boite nature boxes of 25.

The Fundador is a Laguito Especial, slightly different in size than the Lancero, measuring 7.6″ in length as well, by 40 ring gauge. The Fundador was first rolled in El Laguito in 1969 when it was named the “Diplomat”, and it was slightly thinner than today’s version - a true Laguito No.1. Similar to the Lancero, the Diplomat was intended only as a lower level diplomatic gift from the Cuban government. It was not until 1997 that the Fundador was released to the market, being the one and only vitola of Habanos newest brand; the Trinidad.

Both of these cigars were rolled in El Laguito in 1998. The Fundador was found in JJ Fox of Dublin, while a friend from Greece agreed to give me the ‘98 Lancero for this review. With 12 years of aging these cigars will be at their peak and I can’t wait to give them a go.

Cohiba Lancero

Appearance & Construction 13 / 15
Despite its age, the Cohiba Lancero is in great condition. The wrapper is light brown in colour, with a fine texture and only a few smooth veins. The bunch is firm, with some soft spots along the length of the cigar. It feels a little bit bumpy and lumpy, but without any visual imperfections. A strong earthy and grassy smell is present on the foot of the cigar and the prelight draw is good.

Draw & Burn 24/25
Despite my lighters efforts to mess it up, the Lancero lit up very easy. The draw is slightly tight, but this does not prevent the cigar to produce large amount of thick smoke. The burn is razor sharp all the way through and the cigar does not require any touchups at any time. The ash is dark grey in colour, with thick texture, and falls off after reaching an inch in length. The combustion is good and the cigar has a perfectly shaped coal.

Flavour & Body 23/25
From the very first draw, the Lancero shows that it has a lot to offer. Deep and balanced flavours, with a medium to full body and a long sweet-spicy finish. During the first third, coffee and earth are the predominant flavours, with wood, cinnamon and spices closely following. The cigar has the Cohiba trademark creamy texture, and the 12 years of age have made it extremely smooth. On the second third the body of the cigar gets fuller, releasing even more flavours. Roasted almonds, moist earth, grass and vanilla, with faint hints of caramel can be identified. On the last third the Lancero turns into a powerhouse! Flavours of earth and grass dominate, with a spicy finish, covering the rest of the flavours previously identified. Towards the end it gets so strong and hot that I have to slow down!

Overall 32/35

The Cohiba Lancero is an exciting cigar and has a lot to offer to the smoker. Word of advice; it’s not for the faint of heart! Like all Cohibas it’s smooth, mellow and creamy, with good depth and complexity. The thinner ring gauge makes it, apart from easier to smoke, easier to get hot. This lady requires your full attention and demands a slow and steady pace… Move too slow, she will get bored and go off; move too fast and you will get a kick in the head!

TOTAL 92/100

Trinidad Fundador

Appearance & Construction 14/15
I can honestly struggle to find something to fault on the looks of the Fundador. The wrapper is chocolate brown and still very oily, despite the 12 years of age. On a close inspection you can see some plume, a sign that this cigar has been well looked after. The veins are very smooth, almost nonexistent, and there is some green spots along the wrapper. The bunch is firm all the way through without any soft spots, with a mild scent of cedar present along the length of the wrapper and fruity aromas on the foot. The prelight draw is perfect.

Draw & Burn 24/25
The draw on the cigar feels just right from the very beginning, delivering plenty of smoke that is rich and thick in texture. The combustion is good all the way through and the cigar burns very well. The ash is grey and thick, falling off every inch to reveal a good shaped coal.

Flavour & Body 22/25
From the very first draw, the Fundador starts with flavours of wood and tobacco. A few puffs later and it becomes creamy with well balanced flavours of earth, grass and moist wood. The depth is good and the body is medium with dry finish. On the second third, a vegetal taste of hay adds to the mix, as well as a white pepper sweet spiciness, while the cigar still maintains the earthy and grassy profile. On the last third the body becomes medium to full with the earthy and grassy flavours still dominating, with a musty taste of oak barrel towards the very end. The cigar is smoked right to the butt, without getting hot or harsh.

Overall 33/35
The Fundador is another great Laguito, so different to the Cohiba Lancero. This cigar is so sweet, smooth and easygoing and lets you dictate the pace. It’s like the type of girl that does not require your full attention, that never gets stroppy and lets you be the man and take control.

TOTAL 93/100

I have said in the past that I have found the Trinidads to be the closest to a Cohiba that a cigar can get. This two cigars however are completely different. The Fundador is a delicious cigar that is consistent from start to finish. It is a cigar that you can enjoy with a group of friends, and without having to pay much attention to it, it will stay lit until the end. On the other hand, there is so much going on while you smoke the Lancero. Its a sublime cigar that changes profiles very often, and while starting as a medium bodied and smooth cigar, it ends being spicy, hot and very strong. This cigar is guaranteed to get you sidetracked and demand that you pay it the attention it deserves. Which one I would prefer from the two? Its hard to say, I really enjoyed both of these cigars and I can’t make up my mind on my favourite. It’s really like asking a man if he would prefer the drop-dead, gorgeous blonde, or the beautiful brunette mistress! I am sure we would all love a bit of both!