AshMap
Overview
In the constellation of Crowned Heads’ releases, La Colmena has always occupied a rarefied space. Introduced in 2017, the line was conceived as a meditation on restraint—a counterpoint to the bold, often muscular blends the brand had built its reputation upon. The La Colmena Lancero, a 7.0 x 38 box-pressed vitola, represents the apotheosis of that philosophy. Here, the cigar’s Ecuadorian Habano wrapper—dressed in a silken Colorado capa with a subtle tooth—is not merely a component but the protagonist. At this narrow ring gauge, every nuance of that leaf is magnified, from its honeyed sweetness to its delicate white pepper, demanding the smoker’s full attention. Produced at Tabacalera La Alianza in Estelí, Nicaragua, in collaboration with Crowned Heads, the blend employs a Nicaraguan binder from Jalapa and a filler composed of tobaccos from both Jalapa and Estelí, all aged a minimum of two to three years before rolling. The result is a cigar of precision and maturity, one that unfolds in distinct acts: the first third introduces bright cedar and a clean, floral honey note that feels almost luminous; the middle act shifts into toasted almond, leather, and a gentle earthiness, with baking spices—cinnamon, nutmeg—emerging alongside the diminishing sweetness; the final third deepens into dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and oak, with a white pepper finish that lingers long after the ash is tapped. The construction is exemplary for a lancero—open draw, razor-sharp burn, near-white ash that holds proudly for over an inch. This is a cigar for those who understand that a 38-ring gauge is not a limitation but a lens: it magnifies wrapper character to its fullest expression. In a market crowded with lancero releases, La Colmena stands alongside blends two to three times its price, a quiet rebuttal to anyone who has dismissed Crowned Heads as merely a lifestyle brand.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Habano — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan (Jalapa) |
| Filler | Nicaraguan (Jalapa and Estelí blend) |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua — produced at Tabacalera La Alianza (formerly TABSA) in collaboration with Crowned Heads |
| Vitola / Shape | Lancero |
| Size | 7.0 x 38 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $12–$16 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of 2–3 years prior to rolling; released 2017 as part of the La Colmena line |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The first third opens with bright cedar, white pepper on the retrohale, and a clean honey-like sweetness characteristic of the Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Mild creaminess develops alongside subtle hay and dried herbs.
Second Third
The middle transitions into toasted almond, leather, and a growing earthiness from the Nicaraguan fillers. The honey note retreats slightly, replaced by a pleasant baking spice — cinnamon and nutmeg — with lingering cedar on the finish.
Final Third
The final third increases in complexity with dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and a woodsy oak note. White pepper returns on the retrohale and the finish is long and dry with a satisfying leather-earth combination. Strength upticks subtly but remains squarely medium.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary for a lancero — the draw is open and effortless, burning with a razor-sharp, near-white ash that holds one to two inches before releasing cleanly. Burn line stays even throughout with minimal touchups required.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A well-aged agricole rhum such as Rhum JM VSOP or a lightly peated Scotch like Glenmorangie 12-Year; the honey and cedar notes bridge beautifully with both
Wine
A Viognier or white Burgundy (Meursault) — the cigar's lighter profile and floral honey notes are overwhelmed by heavy reds; a Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley also works if you prefer red
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin pour-over coffee from Ethiopia (Yirgacheffe) — the bright floral and citrus notes of the coffee mirror the wrapper's sweetness without competing
Who Should Smoke This?
The La Colmena Lancero is built for the experienced smoker who values nuance over power. It rewards a contemplative pace—plan 90 to 105 minutes—and is best suited to a weekend morning or a lazy afternoon when the mind is clear and the palate is fresh. This is not a cigar for social bluster or hurried enjoyment; its narrow ring gauge demands patience and a low, steady heat. Smokers who appreciate the architecture of a well-constructed blend, and who seek a cigar that evolves with each third, will find a companion here. If your tastes lean toward lighter, more floral profiles with a backbone of cedar and subtle spice, this lancero deserves a place in your rotation. Beginners may find the narrow gauge challenging to keep lit and the flavor profile too delicate for their developing palate; seasoned aficionados, however, will recognize it as a quiet masterwork.
Bottom Line
The La Colmena Lancero is Crowned Heads at their most disciplined—a cigar that proves a narrow ring gauge can elevate a blend to something approaching artistry. If you value wrapper-driven complexity, impeccable construction, and a finish that rewards patience, this is a vitola you owe it to yourself to smoke.
Similar Cigars
Explore all La Colmena cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Colmena Lancero a strong cigar?
No. It is rated medium on the strength scale (3/5). While the final third sees a subtle uptick in body, the cigar never crosses into full-strength territory. It prioritizes nuance and balance over raw power.
What does La Colmena Lancero taste like?
The flavor profile evolves across three distinct thirds. It opens with bright cedar, white pepper, and a clean honey-like sweetness. The middle introduces toasted almond, leather, and earth with baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg). The final third deepens into dark chocolate, roasted coffee, and oak, with a long, dry finish of leather and earth.
How long does La Colmena Lancero take to smoke?
Plan for 90 to 105 minutes. The 38-ring gauge lancero format requires a slow, patient smoking pace with low heat to avoid overheating the narrow draw. It is not suited for a rushed experience.
What is the best pairing for La Colmena Lancero?
A well-aged agricole rhum such as Rhum JM VSOP or a lightly peated Scotch like Glenmorangie 12-Year harmonizes beautifully with the honey and cedar notes. For wine, a Viognier or white Burgundy (Meursault) is ideal; a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir also works. Non-alcoholic, try a single-origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over coffee.
Is La Colmena Lancero good for beginners?
Not ideally. The narrow ring gauge can be difficult to keep lit for a novice, and the subtle, evolving flavor profile may be lost on a palate still developing. This is a cigar for the experienced smoker who appreciates nuance.
Where can I buy La Colmena Lancero?
La Colmena Lancero is available through select premium cigar retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online. Crowned Heads also lists authorized dealers on their website. Due to limited production runs, availability can vary.
What is the price of La Colmena Lancero?
The price ranges from $12 to $16 per cigar, placing it firmly in the premium tier. It comes in boxes of 24.
Is La Colmena Lancero worth aging?
Yes. The tobaccos are already aged 2–3 years prior to rolling, but the blend’s balance and complexity suggest it will benefit from additional rest. One to three years of careful humidor storage can further smooth the pepper and integrate the baking spices, though it is eminently enjoyable young.
What wrapper does La Colmena Lancero use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper in a Colorado shade, described as medium brown, silky, with a slight toothy texture. This wrapper is the highlight of the blend, especially at the lancero ring gauge.
Where is La Colmena Lancero made?
It is hand-rolled in Estelí, Nicaragua, at Tabacalera La Alianza (formerly TABSA), in collaboration with Crowned Heads.