The West Tampa Red Lancero began shipping in June of 2024. Lancero cigars don’t sell. However, the reason they don’t sell isn’t because of the thin ring gauge as many would think. It is about the perceived value and maybe a little bit of Freudian reasons. A 6 x 60 WTC Red has a MSRP of $13.00 before any local taxes. The Lancero sells for $11.00. People in general don’t see value in a lancero and look elsewhere within a line.
According to Rick Rodriguez owner of West Tampa Cigar, “In my recent travels I have gotten several questions about this unique size, specifically why I should try it. What makes this size special is that it allows smokers to truly enjoy the wrapper and I felt that this was a great way to commemorate our two-year anniversary,”
So as a fan of the size, I had to try it.
Cigar Review: West Tampa Cigars Red
Size: 7 x 40 (Lancero)
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres Maduro
Binder: Nicaragua (Condega)
Fillers: Nicaragua (Condega Viso, Esteli Viso, Esteli Ligero)
Factory: Garmendia Cigar Company
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Release Date: June 2024
Release Type: Regular Production
Box Count: 20
The Cigar: Featuring the red, gold, black and white band that is reminiscent of a cigar pick and the Tiger Woods logo, the West Tampa Red Lancero is a beautiful looking cigar. Featuring a fair amount of oils and a nice looking wrapper this is one of the better looking Lancero cigars I have seen in some time. In the hand the cigar feels a little less firm which should translate well for the size and is a bit light in the hand.
The Notes: The cold draw of the West Tampa Red Lancero has a cherry component reminiscent of Luden’s cough drop which I don’t consider to be a bad thing. Beyond the cherry is some chocolate and earth components which are also present on the wrapper and foot.
Once the wrapper is toasted and lit the draw is perfect. On a lancero I find them to be hit or miss with it being too tight, but that is not the case here. The initial flavor component is chocolate with a little bit of cherry and pepper on the aroma. As we continue through the firs third some notes of caramel join the mix with a touch of anise on the retrohale.
Moving into the second third with the ash still attached there are nots of caramel and cocoa with a fading cherry that disappears at the halfway point when the ash drops. It is at this point the flavor profile of the cigar changes considerably. The sweetness disappears with notes of leather, earth and a touch of espresso. Until we build the ash back up the leather notes are dominant. As the second third comes to a close on the West Tampa Red and the ash builds back up some sweetness begins to return. The retrohale has pepper and nuts with the order reversing on a longer ash.
The last third with the ash still attached sees notes of warm chocolate, subtle caramel and a hint of red pepper. The finish is longer with notes of molasses and earth and a nose tingling red pepper. After the ash drops again the cigar sees leather begin to emerge on the palate and lasts long to the finish with wood and cedar on the retrohale.
Conclusion: It’s been a long time since I smoked a Lancero that didn’t need a relight or six but the cigars I’ve purchased so far were absolutely flawless. While I didn’t meter my smoking on the 3 cigars I smoked for review, the first half smoked considerably faster and I don’t believe I was puffing faster. Despite this the cigar lasted me over 90 minutes each time.
The West Tampa Red Lancero is hands down the best size in the line and it is a shame most cigar smokers will shy away from the size as Lancero smokers have a very small market share. But this size, in this line is hands down the best.
Score: 93
Price: $10.99 (Before any local or state taxes)
Available at site sponsor Small Batch Cigar
