AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet confidence to the Encore Black Lonsdale, a cigar that doesn't announce itself with a bang but rather earns your attention through a slow, deliberate unraveling. It sits in the Shepherd's lineup as the considered older sibling—the one who has seen a few things, aged a bit, and now speaks with measured authority. From the first cold draw, the narrative is set: sweet cedar and dried fruit, a whisper of spice on the lips that promises more than it delivers upfront. This is a cigar that understands pacing. The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, silky and faintly toothed, introduces a creamy white pepper that integrates with toasted bread and roasted nuts in the opening third—a savory, almost breakfast-like warmth that feels both familiar and refined. The smoke is cool and voluminous, a gentle exhale that coats the palate without demanding attention. As the ash holds its first firm column, the blend shifts into its second act with a marked increase in gravitas. Espresso and dark cocoa emerge from the core, wrapped in a supple leather undertone that speaks to the Nicaraguan soul beneath the Habano veneer. The Jalapa binder contributes a subtle earthiness that weaves through the profile like a bassline, while the pepper, once integrated, now migrates to the retrohale with a pleasant, stinging clarity. This is where the Lonsdale format proves its genius—the long, narrow draw forces the smoke through a tighter channel, concentrating the flavors and allowing the wrapper's nuanced sweetness to linger before the heavier core notes take hold. The final third is a declaration. The strength, which had been building quietly, now asserts itself with dark roast coffee and charred oak, a lingering dark chocolate finish that coats the throat with a dry, satisfying mineral note on the retro. The sweetness recedes like a tide pulling back, leaving behind a clean, long finish that begs for a moment of reflection. This is not a cigar that shouts; it persuades. It is the kind of smoke that makes you check the band again, wondering how a $14 cigar can deliver this level of narrative arc without a single misstep. The Encore Black Lonsdale is a masterclass in restraint—a blend that knows exactly when to reveal, when to hold back, and when to let the Nicaraguan core speak its piece.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano Natural — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan Jalapa |
| Filler | Nicaraguan Estelí and Jalapa long-fillers, aged minimum two years |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua |
| Vitola / Shape | Lonsdale |
| Size | 6.5 x 44 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $12–$16 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Fillers reported to undergo a minimum two-year aging regimen before rolling |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with sweet cedar, dried fruit, and a mild spice tingle on the lips. Once lit, the first third delivers toasted bread, roasted nuts, and a creamy white pepper note that integrates quickly with natural sweetness from the Ecuadorian wrapper.
Second Third
Complexity increases markedly — espresso, dark cocoa, and a leather undertone emerge as the cigar settles into its rhythm. A subtle earthiness from the Jalapa binder weaves through, and the pepper spice migrates to the retrohale with pleasant intensity.
Final Third
The final third strengthens noticeably, with dark roast coffee, charred oak, and a lingering dark chocolate finish dominating the palate. The sweetness recedes, leaving a dry, satisfying mineral note on the retro. The finish is long and clean.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistently strong — the draw is open and effortless with just the right amount of resistance, and the burn line is remarkably even for a Lonsdale format. Ash holds firm in generous grey columns and the smoke output is full and cool.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A medium-aged Nicaraguan rum such as Flor de Caña 12 Year, or a wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark 46 to complement the cocoa and cedar notes
Wine
A Ribera del Duero Tempranillo (e.g. Pesquera Crianza) — the wine's dark fruit and earthy backbone mirrors the cigar's leather and espresso character
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Ethiopian pour-over or a cold brew concentrate — the coffee's fruity acidity bridges the cigar's dark chocolate and cedar elements beautifully
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the smoker who has graduated past the need for pepper bombs and novelty blends—the one who keeps a notebook of tasting notes and has a dedicated humidor drawer for 'special occasion' sticks that never quite get smoked. Picture a Tuesday evening in late autumn, the porch light on, a wool blanket across the knees. You've just finished a dinner that was good but not memorable, and you want a cigar that will provide the evening's actual climax. You already enjoy medium-bodied Connecticut wrappers for their creaminess but find them lacking in backbone. You've smoked a few Padróns and appreciated their depth but felt they demanded too much attention. This Lonsdale is your Goldilocks moment—it offers enough complexity to keep your palate engaged for 80 minutes without requiring you to dissect every puff. It rewards the slow, contemplative smoker who lets the ash grow long and the thoughts wander. It will not knock you over, but it will leave you sitting in the dark, staring at the ember, wondering why you don't smoke this more often.
Bottom Line
The Encore Black Lonsdale is a sleeper hit that out-performs its price point with a refined, layered profile that rewards patience. It's the cigar you reach for when you want to remember why you fell in love with this hobby in the first place. Buy a box; you'll thank yourself by the third stick.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Encore Black cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Encore Black Lonsdale by Sherpherd's a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5), which means it has a noticeable nicotine presence that builds gradually through the final third, but it never becomes harsh or overpowering. You'll feel a pleasant warmth in the chest and a slight buzz by the end, but it's manageable for an experienced smoker and won't require a sugar rush to finish.
What does Encore Black Lonsdale by Sherpherd's taste like?
The flavor arc moves from sweet cedar, toasted bread, and roasted nuts with creamy white pepper in the first third, to espresso, dark cocoa, and leather with subtle earthiness in the second. The final third delivers dark roast coffee, charred oak, and a lingering dark chocolate finish with a dry mineral note on the retrohale.
How long does Encore Black Lonsdale by Sherpherd's take to smoke?
Given its Lonsdale vitola (6.5 x 44) and the need to smoke it slowly to appreciate the nuances, expect a session of 75 to 90 minutes. The narrow ring gauge means it burns slower than a robusto, and rushing it will cause the flavors to turn bitter.
What is the best pairing for Encore Black Lonsdale by Sherpherd's?
A medium-aged Nicaraguan rum like Flor de Caña 12 Year is ideal—its caramel and vanilla notes complement the cocoa and cedar without overpowering the cigar's subtle sweetness. Alternatively, a wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark 46 brings out the dark chocolate and leather elements with its softer, sweeter profile.
Is Encore Black Lonsdale by Sherpherd's good for beginners?
Not recommended for novices. The Medium-Full strength and the Lonsdale format require a developed palate to appreciate the subtle transitions, and the $12–$16 price point is a significant investment for a smoke that might overwhelm a beginner. Start with milder, shorter vitolas before stepping up to this.
Where can I buy Encore Black Lonsdale by Sherpherd's?
This is a premium-tier line, so look for it at well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists with a dedicated premium section, or from reputable online retailers like Neptune Cigars, Atlantic Cigar, or Corona Cigar Co. It may not be on every shelf, so calling ahead or checking availability online is recommended.
What is the price of Encore Black Lonsdale by Sherpherd's?
The Encore Black Lonsdale typically retails between $12 and $16 per cigar, positioning it in the premium tier but still accessible for a quality Nicaraguan puro. A 20-count box will run you roughly $240–$320, which is a fair price for the construction and aging involved.
Is Encore Black Lonsdale by Sherpherd's worth aging?
Yes, but with a caveat. The fillers already undergo a minimum two-year aging before rolling, so the blend is well-integrated out of the box. However, the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper will continue to mellow and sweeten with 1–2 more years of humidor rest, softening the pepper and allowing the cedar and cocoa notes to deepen further. Don't age it beyond 5 years, as the narrow Lonsdale format can lose its vibrancy.
What wrapper does Encore Black Lonsdale by Sherpherd's use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Habano Natural wrapper in a Colorado shade—medium brown, silky with a slight tooth. This wrapper is known for delivering a creamy white pepper spice and natural sweetness that complements the stronger Nicaraguan fillers, providing a smooth entry that builds into a more robust core.
Where is Encore Black Lonsdale by Sherpherd's made?
It is hand-rolled in Estelí, Nicaragua, the heart of the country's premium cigar industry. The binder is Nicaraguan Jalapa, and the filler combines Estelí and Jalapa long-fillers, all aged a minimum of two years before rolling, ensuring a well-balanced and consistent smoke.