90 Miles Cigar

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of meeting Yadi from Flor De Gonzalez Cigars, and she passed along the brand’s newest release, the 90 Miles R.A. Nicaragua L.E. Lancero for review. I’m very pleased to present this cigar.

Blend Specifics

Cigar: Flor De Gonzalez 90 Miles R.A. Nicaragua L.E. Lancero

Vitola: Lancero 7” x 38

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Appearance and Construction

The 90 Miles has a dark chocolate wrapper with a few darker blemishes and a mottled look and texture. With minimal veins and tight invisible seams, a closed foot and a nicely applied double cap with pig tail. The wrapper is slightly oily with a little bit of sheen, a satin feel with minimal to no tooth. A densely packed feel make this a nicely constructed cigar.

Flavor & Smoke Characteristics

Cold Aromas: Off the wrapper, there are hints of cedar and chocolate, though not a strong wrapper smell. The foot is closed so one won’t get much from there, either. However, the cold draw gives way to a touch of spice, a little dry wood and cedar, notes of herbs and a hint of black pepper. Also to note, a semi-loose draw but should definitely be ok, and at the head of the cigar, the bunching looks very nice dense.

First Third:Lots of spice to start, with a good amount of grass and hay, with some chocolate and a slight meatiness like broiled chicken. Notes of cedar are apparent, as well. The draw is just right, and there’s also a good amount of white pepper. As the initial spice settles, a dark chocolate comes more to the front. This cigar gives off very nice plumes of smoke, very thick and chewy right from the start. The burn line isn’t even nor razor sharp but the performance is just fine. There’s a lingering sweet note that’s also complemented with a touch of black licorice and raisins. The ash forms in nicely burned rings and is of medium to light grey tone with dark spot intermixed. There are also notes of buttery bread, and the smoke itself has a buttery smooth feel. The ash fell off on its own at about the 1 inch mark. There’s also a metallic undertone that lasts through the finish complemented with a spice on the finish but it’s not heavy and doesn’t linger too long. In general, the finish is quite short and crisp with the exception of the metallic note. The smoke is full in body, full in strength and full in flavor. The first third shows the beginnings of a generously complex cigar. The aroma of the foot and the room are very woodsy. Though the smoke leaves a nice tingle on the tongue, the smoke is very smooth, and the finish last slightly longer in the nose than it does in the mouth. This cigar also gives a very nice, invigorating head feel early on, which some will find very relaxing and it burns quite cool.

Second Third: Starting the second third, the chocolate and raisin take hold on the draw, followed by a dark wood characteristic that has a good, strong tobacco note. Spice is still present, though on the low side. The metallic tongue feel and finish is still present, as well. Adding to the aroma now are touches of raisin and leather; the leather is also in the smoke but isn’t really that strong. The smoke is still holding at full in body, full in strength, and full in flavor and is teamed with thick plumes of rich, chewy smoke. The finish is starting to last a bit longer in the mouth, characterized by dark chocolate, wood, and leather notes. Throughout, there’s also a good amount of saltiness that rounds out the profile, and pulls the fermented tobacco notes forward more. Also, the saltiness is starting to last through longer on the finish.

Final Third:Entering into the final third, the heat has started to build up; the salt is also all over the palate, on the draw and the finish. This is combined with notes of wood and leather taking the fore and the chocolate and raisin dropping back. The cedar is also still present. The thick paper band is held by a glob of glue in the traditional manner, and can be a little tricky taking off but with some patience comes off in one piece.The smoke is still very complex, and states that this cigar is complex throughout the session. Smoke is still full in body, full in strength, and full in flavor. The bready-ness comes back into the fold but has dropped the buttery characteristic and has become drier. Though the smoke is still rather smooth, a touch of grit becomes present. The cigar is also quite mouth watering throughout and most likely due to the salt content in the smoke. The final draws of this cigar culminate to a combined complex flavor and the notes become indistinguishable from one another and are more difficult to pick out, but warms up to an overall nuttiness.

Final Thoughts

The first thing to note is this cigar’s complex profile throughout the whole smoking session, centered around wood, chocolate and raisin, with strong hints of leather, salt and bread. The pepper and spice are noticeable throughout but act more as peripherals to the profile instead of being major notes themselves. The cigar finished at full in body, full in strength, and full in flavor and proved to be unwavering throughout the duration. This cigar carries very enjoyable thick, rich plumes of smoke and the draw remained quite consistent. There were times in this session, I kept thinking to myself the similarities between this 90 Miles cigar and Cuban-styled cigars with its combined saltiness, head feel and dewiness. A general slow burner for cigars of this vitola, and carries a very relaxing feel. One that is best enjoyed after a good meal and sipped slowly. Though it did require a couple minor touch-ups, they weren’t anything that took away from the cigar’s characteristics and it preformed phenomenally.

Similar cigars would be Don Pepin Garcia La Duena in Petite Lancero, Murcielago by Espinosa y Ortega, Smoking Jacket, and Man O’ War Ruination

Smoking time was 1 hour and 40 minutes

Grade: A / A+