Viaje Platino Lancero
Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Lancero
Size : 7.5 x 38
Wrapper : Nicaraguan Corojo 99
Filler : Nicaraguan
Binder : Nicaraguan
Hand-Made
Price : $9.50 each
Also see this review @ http://www.cigarinspector.com
Hype cigars?!! I got them in droves. I always have to find out whether they are worth it or not. Lately Viaje is as hot as any company out there, and its owner, Andre Farkas, keeps stoking the fire. Mostly notorious for their small batch, super hard to find, limited edition smokes, Viaje put out several mass produced lines to satisfy their eager customers (Oro, Platino, 50/50 Black, 50/50 Red, and to some extent Satori).
From forum talks and word of mouth, people have been telling me I needed to try the Platino Lancero. It seemed to be a consensus favorite among Platino line smokers. So here goes
Appearance : ★★★★½
A beautiful but yet slightly spotted Corojo 99 wrapper covers this cigar. Not a single flawed seem in the tobacco, and has very minor veins. It is very rare to see a lancer without a significant vein or loose seem, but this one appears to be everything one could want in a lancero at first sight. Not much aroma to the outer leaf when sniffed, and when squeezed along its length, there is a slight give to it but doesnt feel spongy or have any soft spots.
Construction : ★★★★½
This is a category where Viaje always shines. After circumcising the head of the cigar, the dry puff is easy with a flawless draw. Thin to medium thickness smoke is emitted and increased in thickness as I progressed through the stogie. About halfway through, it went out, but it was more my fault than anything. If one doesnt keep lightly puffing frequently on a lancer, they tend to go out pretty easily. The half star deduction came from the cigar burning too hot with 3 to 4 inches left and I can assure that this wasnt my fault. Was not able to nub this one without burning my lips.
Flavor : ★★★½☆
After sparking the foot, the cigar brought immediate peppery spiciness and black coffee flavors and then smoothed out into some delicious leather notes. Oak is noticed on the retrohale. Body tended to lie in the mild to medium realm. Its evolution took it down the line to thin woodsy, cedary, and herbal nuances. At this point unfortunately, I started to get bored a bit. The boredom lasted through much of 2nd third (I just wasnt being wowed with the mild flavors and thin smoke). The last part of the cigar really saved itself. The smoke thickened up quite a bit and espresso bean, floral, and cedar flavors became heightened.
Value : ★★★☆☆
Picked up mine for around $9.50 at a local B&M in Austin, TX. I dont think this cigar is overpriced, especially for a premium stick, but I dont think I would spend the dough again for the experience. There are a number of really great lanceros at this price point, and I believe Viaje could have really separated themselves from the pack by going a little lower on their MSRP.
Overall Rating : ★★★½☆
This was a hard cigar to review. I cant say I really liked it or loved it. It had properties I liked and it had properties I didnt like. It was pretty complex, but it burned hot and was kinda boring through the heart of the cigar. If youre a lancero fan and smoke lots of them, then I would recommend this for your rotation. Otherwise, I can name two or three that would edge out this one if it came down to picking one for a newbie. Personally, I prefer the My Father Lancero, Illusione HL Maduro, or the Mi Dominicana from Jose Seijas.
Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Lancero
Size : 7.5 x 38
Wrapper : Nicaraguan Corojo 99
Filler : Nicaraguan
Binder : Nicaraguan
Hand-Made
Price : $9.50 each
Also see this review @ http://www.cigarinspector.com
Hype cigars?!! I got them in droves. I always have to find out whether they are worth it or not. Lately Viaje is as hot as any company out there, and its owner, Andre Farkas, keeps stoking the fire. Mostly notorious for their small batch, super hard to find, limited edition smokes, Viaje put out several mass produced lines to satisfy their eager customers (Oro, Platino, 50/50 Black, 50/50 Red, and to some extent Satori).
From forum talks and word of mouth, people have been telling me I needed to try the Platino Lancero. It seemed to be a consensus favorite among Platino line smokers. So here goes
Appearance : ★★★★½
A beautiful but yet slightly spotted Corojo 99 wrapper covers this cigar. Not a single flawed seem in the tobacco, and has very minor veins. It is very rare to see a lancer without a significant vein or loose seem, but this one appears to be everything one could want in a lancero at first sight. Not much aroma to the outer leaf when sniffed, and when squeezed along its length, there is a slight give to it but doesnt feel spongy or have any soft spots.
Construction : ★★★★½
This is a category where Viaje always shines. After circumcising the head of the cigar, the dry puff is easy with a flawless draw. Thin to medium thickness smoke is emitted and increased in thickness as I progressed through the stogie. About halfway through, it went out, but it was more my fault than anything. If one doesnt keep lightly puffing frequently on a lancer, they tend to go out pretty easily. The half star deduction came from the cigar burning too hot with 3 to 4 inches left and I can assure that this wasnt my fault. Was not able to nub this one without burning my lips.
Flavor : ★★★½☆
After sparking the foot, the cigar brought immediate peppery spiciness and black coffee flavors and then smoothed out into some delicious leather notes. Oak is noticed on the retrohale. Body tended to lie in the mild to medium realm. Its evolution took it down the line to thin woodsy, cedary, and herbal nuances. At this point unfortunately, I started to get bored a bit. The boredom lasted through much of 2nd third (I just wasnt being wowed with the mild flavors and thin smoke). The last part of the cigar really saved itself. The smoke thickened up quite a bit and espresso bean, floral, and cedar flavors became heightened.
Value : ★★★☆☆
Picked up mine for around $9.50 at a local B&M in Austin, TX. I dont think this cigar is overpriced, especially for a premium stick, but I dont think I would spend the dough again for the experience. There are a number of really great lanceros at this price point, and I believe Viaje could have really separated themselves from the pack by going a little lower on their MSRP.
Overall Rating : ★★★½☆
This was a hard cigar to review. I cant say I really liked it or loved it. It had properties I liked and it had properties I didnt like. It was pretty complex, but it burned hot and was kinda boring through the heart of the cigar. If youre a lancero fan and smoke lots of them, then I would recommend this for your rotation. Otherwise, I can name two or three that would edge out this one if it came down to picking one for a newbie. Personally, I prefer the My Father Lancero, Illusione HL Maduro, or the Mi Dominicana from Jose Seijas.
