AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet arrogance to a lancero. It demands a smoker's full attention, punishing haste with a scorched tongue and rewarding patience with a clarity of blend that no robusto can replicate. The Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero is not a cigar that shouts; it is a whisper that compels you to lean in. From the first cold draw, a whisper of sweet cedar and dried hay signals that this is not the brawny, pepper-forward Perdomo of popular imagination. This is the blend stripped bare, a five-year-aged Nicaraguan soul laid out for inspection along a 7.5-inch canvas that is barely thicker than a pencil. The narrow ring gauge is not a limitation; it is the point. It forces the Estelí and Jalapa fillers to speak in unison, their individual voices discernible yet harmonized, a feat of blending and construction that feels almost architectural.
The opening salvo is one of composed restraint. Roasted almonds arrive first, carrying a creamy, almost buttery texture that coats the palate before the cedar emerges—not the sharp, green wood of youth, but the sweet, aromatic heart of a well-aged cedar chest. A gentle Nicaraguan pepper tingles on the retrohale, a polite introduction rather than a challenge. The smoke is surprisingly voluminous for a 38-ring gauge, a testament to the meticulous rolling at the NACSA factory. As the ash holds its firm, white-gray line, the narrative deepens. The second third is where the five years of aging become undeniable. The sweet cedar recedes, making way for a core of earthy leather, the kind that smells of an old library and a well-worn saddle. Dark cocoa powder dusts the palate, not the sugary confection but the bitter, sophisticated cousin, and a whisper of espresso adds a roasted depth. A toasted caramel sweetness lingers on the finish, a delicate counterpoint that prevents the earthiness from becoming monolithic.
The final third is a masterclass in controlled intensity. The flavors do not broaden; they concentrate, tightening like a coil. Rich dark chocolate, almost fudgy in its density, takes the lead, supported by the deep, resonant character of well-aged oak. A distinct mineral undercurrent emerges, a flinty, chalky note that adds a fascinating tertiary complexity. The pepper, which had faded to a background hum, returns as a warm, lingering spice on the finish. There is no harshness, no bitterness—only a long, satisfying denouement of dried fruit and charred cedar that seems to last for minutes after the final draw. This is a cigar that tells a complete story, from the bright, nutty optimism of its youth to the dark, mineral-rich wisdom of its conclusion, and it does so with a precision that is rare at any price point.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Natural — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-fillers from Estelí and Jalapa valleys, aged a minimum of 5 years per Lot 23 protocol |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua |
| Vitola / Shape | Lancero |
| Size | 7.5 x 38 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $10–$14 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Perdomo ages the tobaccos a minimum of five years before rolling, a hallmark of the Lot 23 line |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with sweet cedar and dried hay. Once lit, the first third delivers a composed profile of roasted almonds, creamy cedar, and a gentle Nicaraguan pepper on the retrohale. The narrow ring gauge concentrates the flavors immediately, making the opening act surprisingly complex for its strength level.
Second Third
The mid-section transitions into the heart of the blend — earthy leather, dark cocoa powder, and a whisper of espresso emerge. A subtle sweetness akin to toasted caramel lingers on the finish, and the pepper fades to a background spice note that keeps things interesting without overwhelming.
Final Third
The final third intensifies with rich dark chocolate, well-aged oak, and a mineral undercurrent. The narrow lancero format ensures the blend tightens beautifully without turning harsh, finishing with a long, satisfying finish of dried fruit and charred cedar. No bitterness despite the concentration.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction on the Lot 23 Lancero is meticulous — Perdomo's factory produces tight, even rolls that burn with a laser-straight line and produce a dense, firm ash that holds well past an inch. The draw is ideal for a lancero: slightly firm, which slows the pace and rewards patient smokers with full flavor extraction.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A 12-year Nicaraguan rum such as Flor de Caña 12 Año or a wheated bourbon like W.L. Weller Special Reserve — the sweetness of both harmonizes with the cocoa and caramel notes
Wine
A medium-bodied Tempranillo such as Ribera del Duero Crianza — the wine's dried cherry, leather, and oak notes mirror and elevate the cigar's second-third profile
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Colombian pour-over coffee, medium roast — the brightness and nutty sweetness amplify the almond and cedar notes in the first third
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the smoker who has already climbed the mountain of full-bodied Nicaraguans and now seeks the view from the summit. Picture a man in his late 40s, a seasoned enthusiast with a well-organized humidor, sitting alone on his back porch on a cool, overcast Saturday afternoon. He has just finished a long week of negotiations and needs to decompress, not with a bomb, but with a conversation. He already enjoys the complexity of a Padron 1926 or the finesse of an Ashton VSG, but he is looking for something that will make him pause and think. He lights the Lot 23 Lancero not for a nicotine hit, but for the meditative ritual. He smokes slowly, deliberately, taking a single draw every minute, watching the smoke curl into the grey sky. This cigar gives him that quiet hour and a half of introspection, a journey through flavors that mirror his own seasoned perspective—layered, refined, and with a quiet strength that doesn't need to prove itself.
Bottom Line
The Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero is the definitive argument for the format, a five-year-aged Nicaraguan blend of such clarity and grace that it transcends its modest price. It is a precise, contemplative smoke that demands patience and rewards it with an arc of flavor that is nothing short of brilliant. For the smoker who values nuance over power, this is an essential purchase.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Perdomo Lot 23 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero a strong cigar?
It is rated Medium-Full (4/5). The nicotine strength is present and builds steadily, but it is never harsh or overwhelming. The narrow 38-ring gauge concentrates the flavors, making the strength feel more pronounced on the palate than a larger vitola, but the five-year-aged tobaccos ensure it remains smooth and refined rather than aggressive.
What does Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero taste like?
The flavor profile is a progressive arc. It opens with roasted almonds, creamy cedar, and gentle pepper. The second third transitions to earthy leather, dark cocoa powder, and a whisper of espresso with a toasted caramel sweetness. The final third intensifies into rich dark chocolate, well-aged oak, and a distinct mineral undertone, finishing with dried fruit and charred cedar.
How long does Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero take to smoke?
Given its 7.5 x 38 lancero dimensions, you should reserve 75 to 90 minutes. The narrow ring gauge and dense construction require a slow, deliberate smoking pace to prevent overheating, which means this is not a cigar to rush. The time investment is essential to experience the full flavor progression.
What is the best pairing for Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero?
A 12-year Nicaraguan rum like Flor de Caña 12 Año is an ideal match. Its inherent sweetness from the aged sugarcane harmonizes beautifully with the cocoa and toasted caramel notes of the cigar's second and final thirds, while its own oaky character complements the aged wood profile without overpowering the blend's finesse.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero good for beginners?
No. This is not a beginner's cigar. The Medium-Full strength, combined with the demanding lancero format that punishes fast puffing, requires an experienced palate and smoking technique. At $10–$14 per cigar, it is also a premium investment that a novice might not fully appreciate. This is for a smoker who understands and enjoys the ritual of a slow, contemplative smoke.
Where can I buy Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero?
As a premium, hand-rolled cigar from a major manufacturer, the Lot 23 Lancero is widely available at reputable brick-and-mortar tobacconists with a good humidor selection. It is also commonly found at major online cigar retailers like Famous Smoke Shop, Cigars International, and Atlantic Cigar, where you can often find them sold individually or in boxes.
What is the price of Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero?
The Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero typically retails for between $10 and $14 per cigar. This price point positions it as a premium offering, but it is considered excellent value given the five-year aged tobaccos and the level of complexity it delivers, often punching well above its weight class compared to other premium lanceros.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero worth aging?
While the tobaccos are already aged a minimum of five years before rolling, this lancero can benefit from additional humidor time. The narrow ring gauge means it is more susceptible to environmental changes, but with proper storage at 65-70% RH, 6-12 months of rest will further marry the flavors, softening the pepper and allowing the sweeter, more mineral notes to become even more pronounced.
What wrapper does Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero use?
It uses a Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Natural wrapper in a Colorado shade. This wrapper is grown under partial sunlight, which gives it a medium-brown color and a silky texture. It contributes a subtle natural sweetness and a gentle, refined spice that perfectly complements the aged Nicaraguan binder and filler, allowing the core blend's complexity to shine through.
Where is Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero made?
It is hand-rolled at Perdomo's NACSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. This is the heart of the company's production, where they have complete control over the process. The meticulous construction, featuring a tight, even roll and a laser-straight burn, is a direct result of the skilled torcedores at this facility working with the Lot 23's specially aged tobaccos.