AshMap
Overview
Perdomo’s Lot 23 line was born from a milestone: the company’s twenty-third anniversary, a moment that called for something emblematic of the family’s devotion to craft. Rather than a fleeting tribute, the Lot 23 became a permanent fixture — a flagship composed entirely of Nicaraguan tobaccos that have been aged a minimum of five years before a single leaf is laid. This aging protocol is the backbone of the blend, lending it a composure and depth that many puros five times the price fail to achieve. In the Lancero vitola — a 7.5 x 38 format that strips away all padding — the Lot 23 reveals its purest voice.
The lancero is not a forgiving shape. Its narrow ring gauge funnels every note into a concentrated stream, punishing the poorly constructed and rewarding the meticulously crafted. Perdomo’s Lancero is the latter, built at the family’s NACSA factory in Estelí with a tight, even roll that burns with laser precision. From the first light, the smoker encounters a profile of roasted almonds and creamy cedar, lifted by a gentle Nicaraguan pepper on the retrohale. The opening third is remarkably complex for a cigar of this strength class — medium-full in body but never abrasive, thanks to the five-year-aged filler tobaccos drawn from the Estelí and Jalapa valleys.
As the cigar progresses into the second third, the blend’s maturity becomes unmistakable. Earthy leather and dark cocoa powder emerge, joined by a whisper of espresso and a faint toasted caramel sweetness that lingers on the finish. The pepper recedes to a supporting role, allowing the aged tobacco’s natural richness to take center stage. In the final third, the Lancero tightens beautifully: rich dark chocolate, well-aged oak, and a mineral undercurrent arrive without a trace of bitterness. The finish is long, marked by dried fruit and charred cedar — a testament to tobacco that has been allowed to settle into its own character.
Positioned between $10 and $14 per cigar, the Lot 23 Lancero punches well above its price point. It belongs in the humidor of any enthusiast who claims to love Nicaraguan puro construction — and in the conversation of anyone who believes the lancero format exists for a reason. This is not a cigar for the hurried or the faint of palate; it is a masterclass in why patience, both in aging and in smoking, produces something singular. For those willing to sit with it, the Lot 23 Lancero delivers an experience that belies its accessible tier and rivals the nuance of more celebrated (and more expensive) limited editions.
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?
The Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero is built for the experienced smoker who understands that a narrow ring gauge demands a slower pace and a more attentive palate. It will reward those who appreciate the refined, aged character of Nicaraguan tobacco — the earthy leather, cocoa, and oak that emerge when filler tobaccos have been rested five years before rolling. Novices may find the format challenging; this is a cigar best approached after one has developed the technique to smoke a lancero without overheating the delicate blend. Reserve this stick for a quiet afternoon or evening when you can commit 75 to 90 minutes to a progressive flavor arc. It is an ideal choice for the collector who values a flagship blend in its most expressive vitola, or for the smoker seeking a daily-accessible luxury that does not compromise on complexity.
Bottom Line
The Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero is the most nuanced cigar in the Perdomo catalog and a compelling argument for why the lancero format exists. It delivers five-year-aged Nicaraguan complexity at a price that feels like a discovery, not a compromise. Smoke it slowly, and it will reward you with a purity of flavor that few blends at this tier can match.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Perdomo Lot 23 cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero a strong cigar?
It is classified as medium-full, with a strength rating of 4 out of 5. The five-year-aged tobaccos mellow the nicotine impact somewhat, but the narrow ring gauge concentrates the flavors, making it feel fuller than the number alone suggests. It is not an overpowering smoke, but it demands respect and a steady pace.
What does Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero taste like?
The profile evolves in three defined acts. The first third offers roasted almonds, creamy cedar, and gentle Nicaraguan pepper. The second third transitions to earthy leather, dark cocoa powder, espresso, and a faint toasted caramel sweetness. The final third intensifies with rich dark chocolate, well-aged oak, a mineral undercurrent, and a finish of dried fruit and charred cedar.
How long does Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero take to smoke?
Plan for 75 to 90 minutes. The lancero format's narrow ring gauge and slightly firm draw naturally slow the smoking pace, and the blend rewards those who take their time. Rushing will lead to overheating and a loss of the cigar's subtle nuance.
What is the best pairing for Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero?
A 12-year Nicaraguan rum such as Flor de Caña 12 Año or a wheated bourbon like W.L. Weller Special Reserve complements the cocoa and caramel notes. For wine, a medium-bodied Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero Crianza) mirrors the leather and oak. A non-alcoholic option: a single-origin Colombian pour-over coffee (medium roast) amplifies the almond and cedar in the first third.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero good for beginners?
No. The lancero format requires deliberate, slow smoking to avoid harshness, and the medium-full strength may overwhelm a newer palate. This cigar is best suited to experienced smokers who have developed the technique to handle a 38-ring gauge and can appreciate the layered transitions of an aged Nicaraguan puro.
Where can I buy Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero?
It is widely available through authorized Perdomo retailers, premium brick-and-mortar cigar shops, and online specialty merchants that carry the full Perdomo portfolio. Because the Lancero is a specific vitola, it may not be in stock at every location; checking with a trusted retailer or using an online stock alert service is recommended.
What is the price of Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero?
The suggested retail price ranges from $10 to $14 per cigar. This positions it as a premium-tier offering that delivers exceptional value given its five-year-aged filler tobaccos and meticulous construction.
Is Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero worth aging?
The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of five years before rolling, so the blend arrives with considerable maturity. Additional aging in a stable humidor can further marry the flavors and soften any remaining edges, but this cigar is ready to smoke upon purchase. It will not benefit from extreme long-term cellaring as much as less-aged blends, but 1–3 years of careful storage may yield subtle improvements in roundness.
What wrapper does Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero use?
It uses a Nicaraguan Sun-Grown Natural wrapper in the Colorado shade. The wrapper is a medium brown, silky in texture, with a subtle natural sheen. The Sun-Grown cultivation gives it a slightly bolder flavor profile than Connecticut-seed wrappers, while the Colorado color indicates a balanced ripeness.
Where is Perdomo Lot 23 Lancero made?
It is handmade at Perdomo’s NACSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua. All tobacco in the blend — wrapper, binder, and filler — is of Nicaraguan origin, making it a true Nicaraguan puro from one of the country’s most established production facilities.