AshMap
Overview
The Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero is a masterclass in restraint and intention—a cigar that makes no apologies for its narrow ring gauge and demands a smoker who understands that complexity is not a function of volume. Crafted by Nicholas Melillo at Foundation Cigar Company, this release is a direct descendant of his tenure at Drew Estate and a continuation of his obsession with Cuban-seed wrapper tobaccos. The wrapper here is a Connecticut Habano grown from Havana seed in the Connecticut Broadleaf region, finished in a Colorado shade that yields a medium-brown, silky leaf with slight tooth and restrained oiliness. That wrapper alone tells a story: it is one of heritage, of seeds that left Cuba decades ago and were cultivated with care in new soils, producing a tobacco that is familiar yet entirely its own. That wrapper demands precision. The lancero format—7.5 inches by a slender 38-ring gauge—punishes a blender with anything less than flawless construction. Melillo, rolling at the Raices Cubanas factory in Danlí, Honduras, meets that challenge with a binder of Honduran Jamastran and a filler blend of aged Nicaraguan and Honduran long-leaf tobaccos. The result is a draw that offers just the right resistance, a burn line that remains remarkably even, and an ash that holds in dense grey columns. The flavor progression is architectural. The first third opens with toasted bread, white pepper on the retrohale, and a creamy milk chocolate note that integrates with the concentrated draw—a direct result of the narrow ring gauge focusing the smoke. The second third deepens into espresso, dark cherry, aged leather, and a distinctive earthy Honduran loam from the Jamastran binder. The pepper evolves into star anise and dried red chili, while a creaminess persists as the backbone. The final third intensifies with dark cocoa, roasted nuts, and a growing mineral quality, with some smokers detecting a subtle barnyard funk—the classic Cuban-character DNA expressing itself through the Havana-seed wrapper. The finish is long, dry, and leathery, with lingering espresso and spice. This is not a cigar for the casual smoker. It demands 90 to 100 minutes of deliberate, uninterrupted attention. It is a cigar that rewards the patient aficionado who understands that a lancero is a measure of a blender’s skill. Melillo passes that test with authority, making the Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero a compelling argument for Honduras as a world-class rolling country and for Cuban-seed wrapper as a living heritage project—not a nostalgia act, but a demonstration of active, present craft.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Cuban-seed Connecticut Habano, grown in Connecticut Broadleaf region — Havana seed — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Honduran Jamastran |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Honduran long-filler tobaccos, aged |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras — Raices Cubanas factory |
| Vitola / Shape | Lancero |
| Size | 7.5 x 38 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $18–$24 per cigar |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Tobaccos reported to be aged a minimum of 3–4 years prior to rolling; box rest strongly recommended |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with dried fruit, cedar shavings, and a whisper of floral sweetness characteristic of Havana-seed wrapper. Once lit, the first third delivers toasted bread, white pepper on the retrohale, and a creamy milk chocolate note that integrates beautifully with the narrow ring gauge's concentrated draw.
Second Third
Complexity deepens into espresso, dark cherry, aged leather, and a distinctive earthy Honduran loam note from the Jamastran binder. The pepper evolves into a more refined spice — think star anise and dried red chili — while the creaminess persists as a backbone.
Final Third
The final third intensifies with dark cocoa, roasted nuts, and a growing mineral quality. Some smokers detect a subtle barnyard funk — classic Cuban-character DNA expressing itself. Finish is long, dry, and leathery with lingering espresso and spice.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction at Raices Cubanas is meticulous — the lancero format demands exceptional bunching discipline and the Havana VI delivers: draw is precise with just the right resistance, burn line stays remarkably even for a 38-ring vitola, and ash holds firm in dense grey columns.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Havana Club 7 Año rum or a well-rested Barbancourt 15-year; alternatively a single malt Scotch from Speyside (Glenfarclas 15) to complement the dried fruit and leather
Wine
A structured Rioja Reserva — Tempranillo's red cherry, tobacco leaf, and earthy qualities mirror the cigar's profile beautifully; Côtes du Rhône as a secondary option
Non-Alcoholic
Single-origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over or a lightly sweetened cortado — the floral and dark fruit notes in the coffee harmonize with the wrapper's Havana-seed character
Who Should Smoke This?
This cigar is for the experienced aficionado who appreciates the discipline of a lancero and the nuance of Cuban-seed wrapper. It rewards a smoker who can dedicate 90 to 100 minutes to a deliberate session—this is not a commuter smoke or a casual porch light. Those who enjoy medium-full complexity with layered transitions—from creamy milk chocolate and cedar to espresso, dark cherry, and earthy loam—will find a willing companion here. It belongs in the rotation of any serious collector who values construction precision, Honduran rolling, and the legacy of Havana-seed tobaccos. Aficionados who understand that a lancero punishes a mediocre blender and rewards a great one will recognize Melillo’s work as the latter.
Bottom Line
The Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero is a testament to Nicholas Melillo’s mastery of the lancero format—a cigar of architectural flavor progression and flawless construction that argues for Honduras as a premier rolling origin. If you respect the discipline of a narrow ring gauge and crave a complex, medium-full smoke with Cuban-seed heritage, this is a must-smoke.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Tabernacle cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero a strong cigar?
It is rated medium-full (4/5) on the strength scale. The nicotine delivery is present but balanced, never overpowering, and the narrow ring gauge concentrates the flavor without overwhelming the palate. It is not a power-bomb, but it has enough structure to satisfy experienced smokers.
What does the Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero taste like?
The flavor profile progresses through toasted bread, white pepper, and creamy milk chocolate in the first third; espresso, dark cherry, aged leather, and earthy Honduran loam in the second; and dark cocoa, roasted nuts, and a mineral quality with a subtle barnyard funk in the final third. The finish is long, dry, and leathery with lingering espresso and spice.
How long does the Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero take to smoke?
Budget 90 to 100 minutes for this 7.5-inch, 38-ring lancero. The narrow gauge requires a slower, more deliberate pace to maintain even combustion and fully appreciate the flavor transitions.
What is the best pairing for the Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero?
Aged Havana Club 7 Año rum or a well-rested Barbancourt 15-year are excellent spirit matches. A Speyside single malt Scotch like Glenfarclas 15 complements the dried fruit and leather notes. For wine, a structured Rioja Reserva or Côtes du Rhône works beautifully. Non-alcoholically, a single-origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over or a lightly sweetened cortado harmonizes with the wrapper’s floral and dark fruit character.
Is the Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero good for beginners?
No. This cigar demands experience and patience. The lancero format requires an even burn and deliberate pacing, and the medium-full strength and layered complexity may overwhelm a novice. It is best reserved for the seasoned aficionado who can dedicate 90 minutes to a focused session.
Where can I buy the Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero?
Due to its small-batch production and limited distribution, the Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero is available through select premium cigar retailers and specialty online shops. It may be difficult to find consistently; checking with high-end tobacconists or Foundation Cigar Company’s authorized dealer list is recommended.
What is the price of the Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero?
The price ranges from $18 to $24 per cigar, placing it in the Prestige tier. The cost reflects the quality of aged tobaccos, meticulous hand-rolling at Raices Cubanas, and limited production runs.
Is the Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero worth aging?
Yes. The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of 3–4 years prior to rolling, but box rest is strongly recommended. Further aging of 12–24 months in a stable humidor will allow the flavors to integrate further, softening any remaining edges and deepening the complexity.
What wrapper does the Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero use?
It uses a Cuban-seed Connecticut Habano wrapper, grown from Havana seed in the Connecticut Broadleaf region. The color is Colorado—a medium brown with a silky texture, slight tooth, and restrained oiliness.
Where is the Tabernacle Havana VI Lancero made?
It is hand-rolled at the Raices Cubanas factory in Danlí, Honduras, under the direction of Nicholas Melillo and Foundation Cigar Company. All components—wrapper, binder, and filler—are Honduran-sourced with filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and Honduras.