La Palina Illumination lancero (7.5" x 38)
Had to try these. They were a Cigar Page special. A lancero made in Miami for 4 bucks? HELL yeah.
EDIT: I am almost hesitating to post this review, cuz I'm afraid you mofos will go and buy these out and I'll be stuck reminiscing about yet another cigar that I ran out of too soon. But here goes.
Nice floral aroma to the wrapper. Draw is a little tight but not bad. Nice weight in the hand for such a small ring gauge.
First few draws...the floral aroma from the wrapper is very present through the nose and on the finish. Full 'strength'; the strong cigar flavor with the floral accent is really unique and nice.
About 1" in...initial flavors and aromas are still the same, but the 'strength' has subsided a bit. Very nice smoke so far. The floral flavor lingers on the palate between draws.
Around halfway...man, this cigar is really rocking my world. The 'strength' has subsided even more, but the flavors have intensified, if that makes sense. There was some damn fine blending skill at work when creating this cigar. No major twists and turns in the flavor, but it's a really nice flavor. The burn has been nearly perfect with no corrections needed so far. Draw is still a little tight, but that's to be expected, since this cigar has only been resting nekkid in the humidor for a few days. Strong white ash.
A little past halfway...flavors are still very strong with zero harshness through the nose. That floral flavor has been present the whole time, and I am really digging it. As it has been so far, not really any flavor changes, but I ain't complaining at all. Imagine a really delicious dessert in which every bite tastes the same, but the taste is amazing.
Toward the end...again, no real flavor changes, but DAMN this has been a tasty cigar. By the time I reached the halfway point, I was already ordering a bunch more. Definite top 25 cigar of 2021. Maybe even top 10.
