Pre-light Experience

The wrapper has a nice medium reddish-brown color to it. There are a few easily visible veins due to them having some lighter color bordering to them. The seams are very smooth and nearly invisible. The foot is closed over with excess wrapper and the head has the typical “man bun” pigtail for this line that is wrapped tight. The band is nice with the gold, black and red. Another nice touch is that the band is proportioned to the small ring gauge of this cigar, so it’s not the same size as say the one that is on the Toro vitola. The aroma from the wrapper gives a decent dose of barnyard. The foot is pretty much the same due to the closed foot, but I get a bit more sweetness. The pre-light draw gives a light graham cracker. There is also a decent spicy tingle on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Jas Sum Kral Lancero has a hearty Colorado Maduro Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. There are a few minor veins protruding and seams are very tight. The difficult to bunch and roll Lancero feels well executed providing a firm and uniform give. The “bun” head is finished off with a nicely applied, thick double cap. Nosing the wrapper gives quality rich cedar, floral notes and a hint of dry white pepper spice. Nosing the foot provides the same quality cedar and more prominent dry white pepper spice. Cold draw tells hay and dry cardboard.

First Third

Initial draws bring a very spicy cedar. After a few draws the spiciness subsides and gives way to a sweet cedar with a full black pepper on the finish. The black pepper also gives a good amount of zing on the retrohale. About three quarters of an inch in, the black pepper dials back a bit and balances out with the sweet cedar. The retrohale is also much smoother now. At an inch and a half, the sweetness has dialed itself back some and the cedar has transitioned to oak. The retrohale is also oak, but with some creaminess mixed in. Nearing the end of the third, there is a little cream up front, but right after that the oak is a bit drying. The strength in this third was just above medium.

First Third

The first third has a medium bodied, dry profile (a cigar that doesn’t salivate the palate. Rather, it dries out the palate). Flavors of baking spice, bread, oak, wood bitterness and slight dry white pepper spice. About an inch and a half in, the bread note becomes more prominent, working well with the other earthy flavors. Through the nose, the dry white pepper spice is so intense it actually makes me tear up. In addition to the pungent white pepper, sharp cedar is also noted. The finish consists of bread, oak and wood bitterness. In terms of strength, the cigar started out medium, but with just a half inch in, ramps up to a medium plus.

Second Third

As this third begins, the oak transitions back to cedar with a slight spice. The retrohale is predominantly creamy with oak in the background. A half inch in, the creaminess makes its way into the mouth flavor and becomes even with the cedar which loses the spice. An inch in, the profile is really mixing together well with the cream and cedar. The retrohale is creamy and smooth as well. An inch and three quarters in, the profile becomes a bit darker with the addition of some earthiness. The cedar has also transitioned back to oak. As the third comes to a close, the earthiness fades back out and the cream and oak remain. The retrohale is a mellower version of the same cream and oak. The strength in this third is right at medium.

Second Third

The second third continues to be medium bodied and medium full in strength. Still a palate drying profile with notes of baking spice, oak, wood bitterness and slight white pepper spice. The bread continues to be an ongoing note, but now has a nice creaminess to it. Through the nose, still a tear jerker of pungent white pepper spice and sharp cedar. The finish still consisting of bread, oak and wood bitterness.

Final Third

As this third begins, a little bitterness joins the profile of oak and cream. After a few draws the bitterness settles back a little bit and is a good enhancement to the profile. An inch in and the strength picks up and a bit of char comes in on the oak. Two inches in and the profile is keeping the charred oak and some creaminess. The retrohale has a bit of a kick to it again with a little bit of black pepper. As the cigar comes to a close, the char fades out a bit and the creamy oak is the primary flavor. The strength in this third was just above medium.

Final Third

The last third remains unchanged from the second third. Still a dry profile with medium body and medium-full strength smoking experience. Flavors of creamy bread, baking spice, oak, wood bitterness and slight white pepper spice. The retrohale is still an intense white pepper spice and sharp cedar. Finish still consisting of bread, oak and wood bitterness.

Burn

The burn was very good. A little bit of waviness, but no interaction needed. The ash held on in one inch segments.

Burn

Especially given that a Lancero is difficult to bunch and roll, the burn was very good. Total smoking time clocked in at a great 2 hours and 15 minutes. The burn line stayed slightly wavy after first ash but most importantly, never needing a tough-up or re-light. The ash marks averaged one inch. Although slightly flowery, it never fell on me.

Draw

The draw was perfect. For a Lancero that is something to take note of. It also produced lots of smoke on each draw.

Overall

The cigar started out with a bang of strength and spice and then settled into a creamy oak profile. The strength level wasn’t as high as what I was expecting, but was still up there and carried a great balance of strength and flavor. Definitely something for a more experienced smoker due to the strength level and the nuances. Retrohaling is a must, even with a good zing at times. And Lancero fans will have a ball with this cigar. I highly recommend seeking some out to see if they fit with your profile.

Draw

The draw was fantastic. The thin Lancero provided just the right amount of resistance, allowing me to taste everything that the cigar had to offer.

Overall

I don’t recall any cigars making me cry. This one did in the form of that intense retrohale. I need a hug now. Kidding aside, I feel like this is another great example (first example being the JSK Robusto we reviewed) of a “fuerte” Cuban custom roll. A cigar with a dry and earthy profile, consistently fairly strong nicotine throughout the entire smoking experience. This cigar isn’t for the faint hearted. If you enjoy a bold cigar, this is not one to pass up.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

7.53

Cost/Point

$1.26

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

7.20

Cost/Point

$1.32

Scoring System