The ~7 x ~38 lancero size can trace its lineage all the way back to the Cohiba brand in the 60’s, giving it a relatively short but noble heritage.  In fact, there was a time when lanceros were only known to and enjoyed by Fidel Castro himself.  Known for it’s quirky size and cult-like following, lanceros are like custom cars: they reward cigar enthusiasts with more flavor for the extra effort it takes to enjoy them fully.

What makes a lancero so special?

•       They’re often made exclusively by hand, without the assistance of a Liebermann machine to create the bunch
•       They’re only rolled by the most skilled Torcedores, usually less than a handful of rollers in any factory can create this vitola (some factories don’t even offer this size)
•       Because of the ring gauge, wrapper-grade tobacco is very prominent in lanceros
•       All of this adds up to an amazing experience when in the hands of a Master Blender

Are there any downsides to lanceros?

•       Lanceros cost more than other sizes for the reasons listed above
•       They must be smoked slowly to avoid overheating the tobacco
•       The ash is more fragile
•       The size sometimes makes for interesting tetris in your humidor
•       Since they’re harder to roll, the chances of getting a plugged cigar are increased

Like any hobby, there is a sliding scale of risk / reward that makes something enjoyable.  In the case of lanceros, the rewards are great – especially when we learn to keep these cigars cooler by changing our smoking cadence.

“Lanceros are the most popular size that don’t sell.” – Jon Huber, Crowned Heads"

Oddly enough, most cigar enthusiasts enjoy the lancero size but are relunctant to reach for it on the shelf.  Among other reasons, it's quite possible that it's because this size is quite rare and people still haven't warmed up to it yet. This prompted us to create a Lancero Sampler so that you can try it for yourself (if you haven’t already) and see what all the fuss is about! 

To read more about the impacts of cigar sizes and shapes, we invite you to read our FAQ: Do Cigar Sizes Matter?.  Here we discuss the specific challenges of the blender and manufacturer as well as how it affects your smoking experience.

View our Lancero Sampler

Tell us!  Are you a Lancero fan?  If so, what are some of your favorites?  If not, why do you dislike this vitola?