Smoked: Rojas Statement Maduro Lancero

Smoked at: Fairfield, Ohio

Rojas Statement Maduro Lancero measures 7 X 38 with a Mexican San Andres wrapper. It’s the creation of Noel Rojas, who has worked with many boutique cigar makers for years. I was unaware of this brand until gifted a Rojas by a friend last week. A nice surprise. Thank you, Bob.

Oak, roasted almonds, dark roast coffee/espresso, dark chocolate, cream, pepper and cinnamon spice are forefront. Background notes of fruit – some of it citrus, licorice and leather add to the mix during the first third and transition to include charred cedar, caramel and nutmeg by the second. By the final third, the cigar loses its fruit/citrus and caramel/nutmeg sweetness. It becomes coffee, chocolate and wood flavor-driven.

The draw was a little tight even for a lancero, but acceptable with a quick toothpick poke to open it up. I was impressed with the combustion and burn line. No issues. I often find Lanceros difficult to keep lit and having erratic wavy burn lines when they are lit. Not the case with the Rojas. The smoke production was adequate, and the ash held fairly firm.

Rojas Statement takes time to develop, but becomes a rather bold, rich, earthy smoke. It’s has balance and complexity to spare. This is a full bodied, medium-full strength cigar with enough enjoyable moments to rate a solid 4 across the board.