Sancho Panza Caballero - a bargain LonsdaleMar 23 '02 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Recommended: a quality Lonsdale cigar at a bargain price.
This is another cigar buying recommendation that I am adding to the Epinions' Buying Guide: How to Choose Lonsdale (cigars). I will be reviewing here a cigar that is not listed in the Epinions database of cigars, the Honduran Sancho Panza Caballero. Sancho Panza Caballero -- This is a box-pressed Lonsdale cigar measuring 6¼-inches in length and having a ring gauge of 45 (45/64ths of an inch in diameter). Some regular readers may remember that I previously reviewed a Cuban-made Sancho Panza Belicoso. Please note that -- unlike their Cuban counterparts -- the Sancho Panza cigars manufactured in Honduras (now made by the same company that rolls the non-Cuban Hoyo de Monterrey and Punch cigars -- Villazon/HATSA) are rolled using Honduran, Nicaraguan and Dominican Piloto Cubano tobaccos and Connecticut shade wrappers. The Sancho Panza Caballero was rated an 89 ("Very Good") in the Nov/Dec 2001 edition of Cigar Aficionado magazine. I smoked this cigar yesterday and was impressed by its excellent construction and its beautifully smooth Connecticut shade wrapper and Connecticut broadleaf binder. Although this cigar is box pressed and the barrel is slightly square in shape, it is very easy to hold between the fingers. The filler blend (as I mentioned: a mix of Honduran, Nicaraguan and Dominican Piloto Cubano tobaccos) was neatly folded and sandwiched. This cigar had a slightly floral and woody aroma, and in the burn I found it to be surprisingly light-bodied. This cigar burned evenly, cleanly, and ended nicely, leaning towards a nutty and leathery finish. Price and Availability -------------------------------------------------- I purchased a pair of these cigars at The Educated Cigar. Website: http://store.educatedcigar.com/ The price was fairly reasonable for a loose purchase: only $8 for two cigars. (The box price was $47 per box of 20 cigars, but boxes were "out of stock" at the time of my order.) I placed two different orders with The Educated Cigar so far this month, and in both instances the cigars were received within 48 hours and in perfect condition. The shipping charges were very modest in both instances (only $5/order). The Educated Cigar is located at: 2220 Camas Ave Richland, WA 99352 Sales: 1-877-375-3042 Recommendations -------------------------------------------------- If you are shopping for a good quality Lonsdale cigar from an excellent manufacturer, you can't go wrong with the Honduran Sancho Panza Caballero. Remember: this cigar is by the same company that is currently producing Hoyo de Monterrey and Punch cigars for sale in the U.S.A. Also, the price is excellent. Indeed, at J.R. Cigars (jrcigars.com), a box of 20 can be had for only $39.95 (normal retail price is $65 per box). Verdict: 4-stars. An excellent value -- if you can purchase this one at around $2 apiece -- and a good cigar for everyday smoking. I always recommend that you try a couple before buying a box.  |
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