A Rodrigo Lancero, a Leccia Luchador and a Surrogates Skull Breaker

Lots going on this week, between weather and migraines, I’ve been a bit off my game.  I still managed to smoke some great cigars though. It wasn’t easy, but it has to be done!  Before I get into the cigars, I’d like to point you to another great article regarding FDA regulation, and implore you to make your feelings known on the Regulations.gov page so we can save our hobby, our passion from being disrupted unnecessarily. Patrick Semmens wrote an excellent article last week:   Commentary: Why the FDA’s $10 Exemption Proposal is More Dangerous than You Realize. Great stuff!

 

Rodrigo_HabanoClassico_LanceroThursday evening I selected a Rodrigo Habano Classico Lancero for my evening smoke. I didn’t get to take my walk as I had to sit in on a conference call, but the cigar was stellar. Rodrigo comes from a Pittsburgh guy, George Rodriguez, and is distributed by The House of Emilio.  This is a 7″ x 38 lancero with a  Ecuadorian Habano/Sumatra Hybrid wrapper and Dominican fillers and binder, made in the Dominican Republic. It’s a very nice medium bodied cigar with good balance. It’s got a sweet, nutty flavor and is good to the last puff.  I probably ave had these in the humidor for a couple years, I think George sent these to me before he was involved with House of Emilio, so these had some time to settle.  I have enjoyed what I’ve smoked from Rodrigo, great boutique cigars. Score: 98

 

Leccia_Luchador_ElHombreFriday.  It’s the end of the week, it’s time to celebrate.  I was the fortunate recipient of a package from Jack Toraño this week, included within were a couple of Sam Leccia‘s new Luchador cigar, due for release tomorrow, May 5th, or Cinco de Mayo.  Sam has put together a 5 country blend with Honduras and Pennsylvania Ligero and Nicaraguan Ometepe in the filler, Ecuador Habano Binder and my favorite Mexican San Andrés wrapper. Of course, my expectations were high for several reasons. First, obviously the wrapper is my favorite, and second, it’s Sam Leccia, and he has the Midas touch when it comes to cigars. The cigar I smoked was the El Hombre, a 5″ x 54 Robusto with a pointed cap.  I carefully snipped this off with the Xikar scissors, and lit it up.  Love affair right off the bat. Great strong espresso flavors, almost Cuban coffee with the sweetness.  It was desert like, with some spice to go along with it, really tasty. My biggest complaint was that it was too short! I really wanted it to last another half hour. I don’t know how this is going to age, I suspect it will do OK, but it’s ready to go now. Great balance, great burn and draw. A top notch smoke that’s right the heck up my alley.   Thanks to Sam and Jack for letting me smoke this before it hits the streets.  Great, another cigar I’ll have to keep on hand. Score: 99

 

Surrogates_SkullBreakerSaturday my wife and I stopped in to Cigar Mojo on our way home from our granddaughter’s third birthday party to check out their Kentucky Derby party. They had a pretty good crowd, and were having some raffles and contests. I picked up a few cigars, including the Surrogates Skull Breaker, a line I haven’t sampled before.  This cigar had it’s origin at New Havana Cigars as a partnership between owner Dan Welsh and Pete Johnson and they are now under the L’Atelier Imports portfolio.  I picked up this dark belicoso, I think it was priced around $7.50. A few years ago I wouldn’t have bought a cigar that expensive, but since visiting cigar country a few times, I have a much better appreciation for the value of a cigar, it’s a miracle they can be produced so reasonably. I still have trouble with the $10+ price point, but I will loosen the purse stings (figuratively) now and then and pick one up.  I digress. I had a migraine coming on, so I figured a cigar called “Skull Breaker” couldn’t hurt anything.  It’s a strong cigar, have no doubt. It’s got great flavor from the Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrappper and Nicaraguan fillers and binder.  I loved dark chocolate and pepper this cigar had, and it was another cigar that burned perfectly, straight from the retail humidor.  When you have a cigar lounge, it’s pretty important for the cigars you sell to be ready to smoke, and the guys at Cigar Mojo have that covered.  If you find yourself in King of Prussia, PA (or the Philly area), stop in and ask them where the heck my CigarCraig.com magnet went??? Good race, good smoke, couldn’t wait to get home and take a pill for the headache and sleep it off. Score: 98

 

That’s it for today. I have a bunch of new cigars to smoke over the coming weeks, so stay tuned.  Until the next time,

 

CigarCraig

 

 

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7 Responses to A Rodrigo Lancero, a Leccia Luchador and a Surrogates Skull Breaker

  1. Craig

    Look forward to finding that Sam Leccia when it is released. I just smoked the Leccia Black for the first time a few months ago and loved it. The Skull Breaker is a great cigar, a buddy and I enjoyed one a few weeks together.

  2. jjo

    I hope that you’ve recovered from the migraine by now. I’ve never had to deal with one, but I know that they can be pretty debilitating.

    The Rodrigo Habano Clasico lancero I had was a great stick, and definitely my favorite of the Rodrigos that I have smoked. Just hard to find around here.

    I enjoyed the Skull Breaker, but of the Surrogates I’ve tried, I much prefer the Tramp Stamp. For my taste, just a better balance of flavors, plus I like the closed foot and the size.

  3. Patrick

    I am so excited to find and burn the new luchador ASAP. Sam Leccia is one of my favorite blenders. And it’s nice to be able to smoke his sticks soon after arrival.

  4. Dan Colley

    Thanks again for your usual good reviews. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on some of Sam Leccia’s new creations. I’m awaiting delivery of some of the Leccia Blacks. I’ve heard nothing but good things about them and this new blend looks exciting.

    I have to agree with jjo when the review speaks about the Surrogates Tramp Stamp. I also prefer that vitola, probably because I’m a corona fan and I can routinely get the Tramp Stamp in that size.

    Unfortunately, the last B&M in the town where I live has divided its business and downsized it’s cigar humidor and inventory. They now have half of their building dedicated to cigars and the other half to porn, sex toys and lingerie. Interesting but does nothing for my cigar cravings. So many times, a B&M is the ONLY place where one can obtain some of the newer releases (eg: Partagas Extra Fuerte) and I’m afraid our store is on its way out of the cigar business. That means a 70 mile drive to the nearest cigar store. Nothing like a road trip, right?

    I hope your migrane headaches will give you a break. I don’t get them, but I know those who have and it could not be pleasant.

    Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo and … smoke a couple of good ones !!!

  5. Commish

    Looking forward to having a Margarita with Luchador cigar in the future!

  6. czerbe

    Great stick choices. I love the Rodrigos I have smoked, and Sam is a master I can’t wait to try his new Luchador. 7.50 for a PJ stick isn’t bad… Hope the pill worked

  7. In the final third the cigar has shown a transition in flavors again, that is great.