Cubarinqueno Cigars Co. added a third regular production line to their Protocol portfolio in 2017 with Themis. Themis, like the other lines, stays true to the owners’ law enforcement roots, but in a more subtle way. According to Juan Cancel, co-founder of Cubarinqueno Cigars, Themis “is the divine goddess of Law and Order in Greek Mythology, and was the inspiration for the Lady of Justice.”

As with all Protocol cigars, Themis is manufactured at Erik Epinosa’s La Zona factory in Nicaragua. The blend features an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. The cigar was first released in Robusto (5 by 52) and Toro (6 by 50) in 2017 with the Lancero (7 1/2 by 38) and Corona Gorda (5 5/8 by 46) added this year.  The Corona Gorda vitola is exclusive to Famous Smoke Shop.

THE FACTS

Price: $10.50
Vitola: Lancero
Size: 7 1/2 by 38
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 25 Minutes

PRE-LIGHT

The Protocol Themis Lancero is dressed in a golden wrapper. Even though there a few medium-sized veins and scattered bumps, the cigar feels smooth, almost paper-like, to the touch. The cigar is rolled a bit looser than normal.

A sweet aroma of chocolate and honey is found on the wrapper leaf. More of the same notes come across on the foot of the cigar, but fuller and earthier. The draw is snug but workable. Again, the honey and chocolate are dominant on the cold draw, but this time there is a peppery spice and cedar alongside them.

FIRST THIRD

This 7 by 38 lancero opens with medium to full flavors of cedar, sweet grass, and a bright white pepper. A lingering spice heat can be felt on my lips between puffs as the pepper flavor and heat intensify as the cigar progresses. The burn is right on and holds well as a dark gray ash forms.

MIDDLE THIRD

A fantastic combination of sweet and spicy flavors is going on as I make my way into the second third of the Protocol Themis. There is a sour edge to the flavors that is working well. A dry cocoa makes it way into the finish of the smoke and a dried fruit flavor enters in near the middle of the cigar. The ash is dark and flaky, but not dropping off prematurely. 

FINAL THIRD

With the final third underway, the change in flavors is easily noticeable as the earlier cedar and sweet grass give way to earth, coffee, and cocoa. The pepper remains strong and the cigar is spicy up to the final draw. An eye-liner burn remains even as it has throughout the whole Protocol Themis Lancero. 

WRAP-UP

As is the case with many of the Connecticut Shade wrapped cigars coming out these days, the golden wrapper on the Protocol Themis is somewhat deceiving. But once the smoke starts flowing, you know this isn’t the typical mild to medium shade cigar. The flavors open medium to full and, along with the spice, hold their ground to the very end. The first two-thirds remained consistent flavor wise with just a hint in the second third of what was to come in the final third. The flavors were balanced and meshed well together. Even the sour quality enhanced the flavors. The Protocol Themis Lancero is an excellent smoke and one that is deserving of its $10.50 price tag.