Tatuaje Black Label Lancero

By Jeremy Hensley | March 25, 2016

In April 2014 Pete Johnson released the Limited Lancero Collection featuring 10 highly acclaimed Tatuaje cigars all in a 7 ½ by 38 Lancero vitola. The Limited Lancero Collection is made in small batches on a regular basis and is readily available. Today, I bring to you the tenth and final installment of my Tatuaje Lancero Series with the Tatuaje El Triunfador Original Lancero. It is truly a sad day at Casas Fumando!

Included in the Lancero sampler:

• Tatuaje (Brown Label)
• Tatuaje Havana VI
• Tatuaje Black Label
• Cabaiguan
• Cabaiguan Guapo
• La Riqueza
• El Triunfador Original
• El Triunfador
• La Casita Criolla
• Fausto

Tatuaje’s Black Label, formerly known as Pete Johnson’s Private Reserve, is made in partnership with the Garcia family in Esteli, Nicaragua as a re-creation of a cigar he smoked on a trip to Cuba. Originally released in 2008 in the Corona Gorda vitola, the Black Label Lancero first showed up as part of the the Old Man and the C at the 2012 IPCPR Trade Show, which featured a Culebra and the Lancero in a wood coffin. As of now, the Lancero is available only through the Limited Lancero Collection sampler. Halfwheel reported in January that the Black Label line will become regular production starting this summer.

The Facts

A gift from my bride
Price:$95.00 per box of 10 / $9.50 per cigar
Vitola: Lancero
Size: 7 ½ by 38
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun Grown Criollo
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Smoke Time: 1 Hour and 27 Minutes

Pre-light

The milk chocolate Nicaraguan Sun Grown leaf on the Black Label Lancero is mostly consistent in color, sporting small veins that are scattered down the leaf, some bumps, as well as a few dark splotches. The cigar is filled evenly and gives just slight when pinched between my fingers. To the touch, oils can be felt.

Bringing the cigar to my nose, there are aromas of manure and chocolate on the wrapper, while the foot shows off some more barnyard, chocolate, earth and a peppery spice. The cap has been applied cleanly with even lines ending in a small pig-tailed cap. After two clips, the draw is snug but manageable. On the cold draw there are notes of cinnamon and rich cedar. A medium spice is causing a burning sensation on my lips.

First Third

Tatuaje’s Black Label Lancero opens with gritty earth/coffee, dry cedar, crushed red pepper, and an underlying sweetness that is gaining ground every few puffs. Moving the dense smoke through my sinuses, a mixture of salt, pepper, and cedar is spicy, but just short of overwhelming and extremely enjoyable. As the Black Label burns evenly a light colored ash is produced holding to three fourths of an inch before dropping in the ash tray.

Middle Third

As already mentioned, the sweetness continues to push forward in the profile establishing a sure footing. The sweetness seems to be tied to a yeast or bread-like flavor. The earlier flavors are holding strong and are being delivered in full force, while a deep char flavor moves in. The Black Label Lancero is full in flavor and strength at this point, putting me in a nice relaxed state of mind. Ever since the first ash, I am lucky to get just a half inch before they fall right in my lap.

Final Third

Transitioning into the final third, the spice heat picks up in the mouth and sinuses. Most of the sweetness has exited the profile, with the darker, heavier flavors remaining of earth, char, and toasted notes. While the draw began firm, due to the copious amount of smoke produced it was not of any annoyance. The burn-line is thin with a couple of weird edges and the ash has become more flaky in appearance. Black coffee lingers on the finish in between the final few puffs and a new citrus flavor has shown up.

Wrap-up

From early on, many of you probably guessed that I would save the Black Label for last. And I was not disappointed by my decision. I found the Black Label Lancero to be much fuller than the other offerings in the collection, delivering heavy, dark flavors that satisfied and were complimented by a pleasant sweetness that rounded out the profile. From start to finish, the cigar burned evenly and a sufficient amount of smoke was produced. The only complaint I have is the ash that kept dropping my lap! But that’s what happens when a cigar brings you on a journey like the Black Label brings one on. Tatuaje’s Black Label Lancero was an excellent way to finish off the collection.