2018 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #20: Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Lancero

“Some blends work in a lancero – and many do not. In the case of the Rose of Sharon Lancero, the blend is terrific. It’s a testament to the blending that has taken place with the Rose of Sharon.”

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan (Viso, Seco); Dominican Piloto Cubano (Ligero)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez
Lancero: 6 1/2 x 40
Price: $10.00
Review: Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Lancero (5/10/18)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 2 (2017, 2018)

Coming in at #20 the Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Lancero. Released early in 2018, the Lancero became the fourth vitola to have a wide release as a part of Southern Draw Cigars’ Rose of Sharon line.

The Rose of Sharon Lancero is the second entry on the 2018 Countdown by Southern Draw Cigars. It is also the second consecutive year Rose of Sharon has landed on the on the Cigar Coop Countdown.

The blend for Rose of Sharon consists of an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and a combination of Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers. The cigar is produced at Tabacalera Fernandez, becoming the third cigar from that factory to land on the 2018 Countdown. The Rose of Sharon Lancero is box-pressed. At 6 1/2 x 40, it’s a little shorter and thicker than a classic 7 x 38 lancero, but nonetheless, it’s the first lancero to land on the 2018 Countdown.

Rose of Sharon Lancero Packaging (Photo Credit: Southern Draw Cigars)

The Rose of Sharon Lancero delivers notes of berry, cream, cedar, and a combination of red and black pepper. It’s a Connecticut Shade cigar that is medium strength and medium-bodied. This cigar has a very nice draw. Sometimes box-press cigars can have too open a draw, but with the Rose of Sharon Lancero, the draw was excellent.

The Rose of Sharon line has all of the makings being a staple core line in humidors from years to come. It’s a blend that performs very well in the lancero size. It’s definitely a cigar that earns its top 20 spot for 2018.