The next cigar I am going to try as part of my cigar challenge is from the Sancho Panza cigar brand. I will be smoking the Sancho Panza Belicosos cigar.
The stats:
Length: 5 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 52
Strength: Medium
Country of origin: Cuba
Cost: £22.49 @ CGars
Background:
The Sancho Panza cigar brand has been around since 1848.
Its name comes from a 17th Century Spanish novel titled ‘Don Quixote’ by Miguel de Cervantes. It was the character Sancho Panza who served the errant knight as his faithful squire.
In 1960, the factory and assets that belonged to the Sancho Panza brand were nationalised, leading the company to now produce cigars under the Habanos S.A. umbrella.
My experience:
The Sancho Panza Belicosos is a delightful looking torpedo-shaped cigar. The cigar band is unique (no gold, no traditional look); compared to other cigars I have smoked, this one is all about the typography on a simple brown background.
Upon cutting the cap and lighting this cigar, I immediately get a sense of some toasty, peppery flavours. The wrapper tastes a bit salty?!, which I have not come across before. I am not getting much smoke, which is disappointing.
There is a hint of spiciness in the second third, which dominates the cigar.
It is also quite hard to draw from; I had to cut the cap again to see if I could improve this. It did not work. The terrible draw is letting this cigar down for me.
My rating: 6.5 out of 10 – bit meh! It’s disappointing for a Cuban cigar.
Next up… a Santa Clara!
London Cigar Smoker 