AshMap
Overview
Las Calaveras LC EL 2022 Lonsdale is a cigar that arrives with quiet authority, a smoke that understands the virtue of restraint in an era obsessed with ostentation. The brand’s Edición Limitada series has been a cornerstone of its identity since 2015, and the 2022 iteration — a graceful 6.5 x 44 Lonsdale — represents one of the most elegant expressions yet from the creative partnership of Luciano Meirelles and Arby Peraza. Produced at Raices Cubanas in Danlí, Honduras, this limited annual release eschews hype in favor of substance, marrying a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper of near-black depth and subtle tooth to a binder of Honduran origin and a filler core composed of Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers, all carefully aged prior to rolling. The result is a medium-full cigar that burns at a deliberate pace, rewarding the smoker who approaches it with patience rather than haste. From the first third, the profile announces itself with roasted espresso and dark cocoa, underpinned by damp cedar and an earthy foundation that speaks directly to the terroir of Honduran soil. There is a faint, almost savory sweetness from the wrapper — unsweetened baking chocolate — and a gentle black pepper on the retrohale that signals the complexity to come. The second third is where the Lonsdale vitola reveals its genius. The extra length allows the blend to breathe, and the flavor profile opens with leather, toasted nuts, and a refined cedar character that evokes fine furniture polish. A dark dried fruit nuance — dried plum or raisin — threads through the smoke, adding a layer of depth without tipping into cloying sweetness. By the final third, the cigar gathers its strength: robust espresso and charred oak take center stage, the leather becomes more tannic, and a long, warm finish of dark molasses and a whisper of anise lingers. The construction from Raices Cubanas is characteristically excellent — the draw is effortless, the burn line remarkably even for a Lonsdale, and the ash holds in dense, light grey columns. This is a cigar that rewards the aficionado who understands that limited releases don’t require a triple-digit price tag to matter, and that Honduras, in the right hands, still produces world-class cigars. The LC EL 2022 Lonsdale stands as a testament to that truth.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro — Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Honduran |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers, select aged tobaccos |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras — produced at Raices Cubanas |
| Vitola / Shape | Lonsdale |
| Size | 6.5 x 44 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $16–$20 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged prior to rolling; released as a limited Edición Limitada (EL) annual release for 2022 |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening draws deliver roasted espresso, dark cocoa, and a pronounced earthiness underpinned by damp cedar. There's a subtle sweetness from the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper — think unsweetened baking chocolate — accompanied by a mild black pepper tingle on the retrohale.
Second Third
Complexity ramps up considerably as leather and toasted nuts emerge alongside continued cocoa notes. The cedar takes on a more refined, almost furniture-polish character, and a dark dried fruit nuance — dried plum or raisin — threads through the profile, adding depth without sweetness.
Final Third
The final third intensifies with robust espresso and charred oak, the leather becoming more pronounced and tannic. A lingering sweetness from the maduro wrapper keeps the strength from becoming harsh, finishing long, warm, and satisfying with notes of dark molasses and a whisper of anise.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction from Raices Cubanas is characteristically excellent — the draw is effortlessly open with just the right resistance, the burn line is remarkably even for a Lonsdale format, and the ash holds firm in dense, light grey columns well past the inch mark.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Honduran or Nicaraguan rum — Flor de Caña 18-Year or Ron Zacapa 23 complement the maduro sweetness; alternatively a well-aged Bourbon such as Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Wine
Zinfandel or Petite Sirah — a Ridge Lytton Springs or Turley Juvenile offers the dark fruit and earthiness to shadow the cigar's second-third complexity
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Ethiopian or Guatemalan pour-over coffee, medium roast, black — the natural fruit acidity plays beautifully against the maduro's cocoa backbone
Who Should Smoke This?
This cigar is crafted for the experienced aficionado who values nuance over brute strength. The Lonsdale format demands a 90- to 100-minute commitment, making it ideal for an unhurried evening on the patio, a post-dinner contemplative smoke, or a celebratory moment when time is on your side. While the medium-full profile is approachable for an adventurous intermediate smoker, the complexity and evolving flavor arc will resonate most deeply with those who have developed their palate and appreciate the subtle interplay between maduro wrapper and aged filler. It is a collector’s smoke for those who understand that the best cigars are often the ones that reward patience.
Bottom Line
The Las Calaveras LC EL 2022 Lonsdale is a masterclass in restrained complexity — a limited-edition cigar that proves nuance and full-flavored depth are not mutually exclusive. For the aficionado who seeks a refined, unhurried smoking experience, this is an essential acquisition. One of the finest expressions to come out of Honduras this decade.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Las Calaveras cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Las Calaveras LC EL 2022 Lonsdale a strong cigar?
It is rated medium-full (4/5) on our strength scale. The strength is present but balanced, building gradually through the smoke. It will satisfy experienced smokers without overwhelming, though novices may find the final third intense.
What does Las Calaveras LC EL 2022 Lonsdale taste like?
The profile opens with roasted espresso, dark cocoa, and damp cedar, evolving into leather, toasted nuts, and dried plum. The final third intensifies with charred oak, dark molasses, and a whisper of anise, all anchored by the rich, unsweetened cocoa character of the Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper.
How long does Las Calaveras LC EL 2022 Lonsdale take to smoke?
This is a 90- to 100-minute smoke. The Lonsdale format rewards a slow, deliberate cadence; rushing it would undermine the evolution of flavors across the three distinct thirds.
What is the best pairing for Las Calaveras LC EL 2022 Lonsdale?
For spirits, aged Honduran or Nicaraguan rum such as Flor de Caña 18-Year or Ron Zacapa 23, or a well-aged bourbon like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. For wine, a Zinfandel or Petite Sirah — Ridge Lytton Springs or Turley Juvenile — mirrors the dark fruit and earthiness. A single-origin Ethiopian or Guatemalan pour-over coffee, medium roast and black, highlights the cigar’s cocoa and fruit notes.
Is Las Calaveras LC EL 2022 Lonsdale good for beginners?
Not ideally. The medium-full strength, complex flavor evolution, and 90-minute time commitment make this better suited for experienced or intermediate smokers who have developed their palate and smoking cadence. Beginners may find the final third challenging.
Where can I buy Las Calaveras LC EL 2022 Lonsdale?
As a limited annual release, it was distributed primarily through Smoke Inn and select retail partners. Availability is limited; check premium cigar retailers, auction sites, or private collectors for remaining stock.
What is the price of Las Calaveras LC EL 2022 Lonsdale?
The MSRP ranges from $16 to $20 per cigar. Given its limited production and premium construction, this represents strong value in the limited-edition landscape.
Is Las Calaveras LC EL 2022 Lonsdale worth aging?
Yes. The select aged tobaccos and Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper are well-suited to further aging. Additional rest in a stable environment (65–70°F, 65–68% RH) may soften the tannins in the final third and deepen the dried fruit and molasses notes. Smoke one now, cellar another for 2–4 years.
What wrapper does Las Calaveras LC EL 2022 Lonsdale use?
It uses a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, dark from deep chocolate brown to near-black, with a slightly toothy texture and a modest sheen. The wrapper contributes notes of unsweetened baking cocoa and subtle sweetness.
Where is Las Calaveras LC EL 2022 Lonsdale made?
It is hand-rolled at the Raices Cubanas factory in Danlí, Honduras, under the supervision of Luciano Meirelles and Arby Peraza, using Honduran and Nicaraguan long-fillers and a Honduran binder.