Sancho Panza Belicosos Cigar - 1 Single

Date Added: Tuesday 07 June, 2016 by Staff

Reviewed by Steve Pulizzano (February 2001)

Named for the rustic squire to Don Quixote in Cervantes' novel of the same name. The Sancho Panza is generally admired for its two larger cigars, the Belicoso and Sancho which is a formidable 9¼ X 47. All are handmade and are mild to medium bodied. The Sancho Panza is one of Cubas oldest marques.

A very well made Habanos of the vitola: campanas. A smooth, finely veined capa that covered a well packed and slightly boxpressed figurado with no hard or soft spots to its length. Of the three samples sent only one was subpar in its taste with an acrid and dry finish especially for the first ¾ to 1". The following notes are for the other two: Prelight draw gave rich ripe fruity overtones that were mellow and refined without any harshness and that unmistakable Habanos tang to the tobacco. Postlight taste and aromas of subtle honey/floral, spice, a touch of roasted coffee and cedar that were subdued yet left sweet and aromatic tones on the palate. The torpedo shape tends to condense the smoke and leave a heavy prescence in the mouth but is mild yet wonderfully rich. A very well rounded smoke. They all smoked very evenly with a good draw and nice volumes of creamy smoke on each pull with a dark gray and solid ash that held well. I smoked the two past the band to the nub where I placed them on a toothpick to get every puff I could muster from them. A very nice Habanos for anytime of the day although you might not want to follow a heavy dinner of beef with this subtle yet involving cigar.

Thanks C.GARS Ltd for allowing me the honor of being in your first ever Taste Test Challenge and for your generosity in sending three of the Sancho Panza Belicosos.