Aging Room Bin No. 1 Lancero Cigar Review

While The Cigar Authority is collectively the team of David Garofalo; Mr. Jonathan Barbeau, Chuck Morrison and yours truly; the blog sometimes takes on a personal note as it is my style of writing. Today’s cigar reflects on that.

This week it was announced that Charlie Lopez was named Director of Sales for Boutique Blends and as luck would have it he showed up at the offices of The Cigar Authority just the other day. Living in Miami, Charlie and I became friendly. He would come into the local cigar shop; sit in the corner; earphones in and watch a movie pretty much keeping to himself. Over time we talked, I met his sister and brother who both run Cigar Snob Magazine. Charlie was one of those people that kind of got the New Yorker in me when not everyone did.

Having landed in Boston on Monday he wanted to take me out to lunch but I didn’t feel comfortable leaving work for a lunch break. So instead we cooked sausage and peppers and Charlie brought a bottle of wine for me to enjoy at night with my girlfriend. Yes, bloggers have girlfriends. He also gave me a handful of cigars one of which has been pretty high on my list to try.

Cigar Review: Aging Room Bin No. 1
Size: 7 x 38 (D Minor/Lancero)
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Dominican Habano
Filler: Dominican Habano
Strength: Medium
Source: Boutique Blends

The Look (9/10): Perhaps it is the sheath style band that adorns the cigar but it looks longer then 7 inches. Once you remove that sheath which features the Boutique Blends logo and the words Aging Room Bin No. 1 in red foil over a beige background there is another traditional band underneath. As for the cigar it is a toothy looking lancero that is almost rolled to perfection. The cigar is well packed with no soft spots and the foot is well packed.

The Notes (32 / 35): The cold draw of the Aging Room Bin No. 1 is sweet with elements of cinnamon and molasses. There is  touch of hay present as well and all three notes are easily defined. The foot of the cigar has a hint of molasses and more hay. The flavors are amongst my favorite on the cold draw and I hesitate before lighting so I can soak it all in.

Once the cigar is lit there is some sweetness that reminds me of marzipan which is made from sugar, honey and almonds. As the cigar progresses there is the development of sunflower seeds and a hint of earth.

In the second third of the cigar the sweetness remains with a continued sunflower note and sweetness. As the sunflower fades there are notes of cream and cinnamon, with a touch of honey. Through the nose there is some pepper that builds as the cigar progresses into the last third.

The last third of the cigar sees most of the sweetness disappear though there is a hint of cinnamon present with some damp earth. The pepper continues to build through the nose but it remains well within the realm of medium strength.

The Burn (33/35): There have been some duds in the terms of draw in this vitola, but the Aging Room might just offer the most epic draw I have ever experienced on this size. The cigar produced ample smoke and like many lancero cigars the ash didn’t hold for more than an inch at any given time. The combustion line was razor thin and sharp. I did however need to relight the cigar which can be common in this size though it was only once near the half way point.

The Finish (18/20): The first two-thirds of the Aging Room Bin No. 1 Lancero was right in my wheel house in terms of flavor. The notes were simply put, epic. While the last third lost the sweetness the cigar still performed really well. Here comes the sound bite; the Aging Room D Minor is what all lancero cigars should strive to be with excellent construction and a great flavor profile.

Score: 92
Price: $10.50

Bullet Points

• I wish that there would be a boom in the lancero size; instead of the large ring gauge sizes.
• Charlie Lopez gave me this cigar, and a bottle of wine. Boutque Blends advertises on The Cigar Authority podcast. Neither how an effect on the cigar review.
• Trying to find a lancero in cigar shops is getting harder and harder.
• The D Minor might be the best drawing lancero I have ever smoked.
• I didn’t pair the cigar with a beverage but I wish I was able to with the excellent wine from last night which scores a 94.
• If the sweetness remained in the last third of the cigar it might of score 2 points higher.
• Smoking Time was 1 hour 20 minutes.