Sancho Panza Belicosos Cigar - Box of 25

Reviewed by Steve Pulizzano (February 2001) Named for the rustic squire to Don Quixote in Cervantes' novel of the same name. The Sancho Panza is generally admired for its two larger cigars, the Belicoso and Sancho which is a formidable 9¼ X 47. All are handmade and are mild to medium bodied. The Sancho Panza is one of Cubas oldest marques. A very well made Habanos of the vitola: campanas. A smooth, finely veined capa that covered a well packed and slightly boxpressed figurado with no hard or soft spots to its length. Of the three samples sent only one was subpar in its taste with an acrid and dry finish especially for the first ¾ to 1". The following notes are for the other two: Prelight draw gave rich ripe fruity overtones that were mellow and refined without any harshness and that unmistakable Habanos tang to the tobacco. Postlight taste and aromas of subtle honey/floral, spice, a touch of roasted coffee and cedar that were subdued yet left sweet and aromatic tones on the palate. The torpedo shape tends to condense the smoke and leave a heavy prescence in the mouth but is mild yet wonderfully rich. A very well rounded smoke. They all smoked very evenly with a good draw and nice volumes of creamy smoke on each pull with a dark gray and solid ash that held well. I smoked the two past the band to the nub where I placed them on a toothpick to get every puff I could muster from them. A very nice Habanos for anytime of the day although you might not want to follow a heavy dinner of beef with this subtle yet involving cigar. Thanks C.GARS Ltd for allowing me the honor of being in your first ever Taste Test Challenge and for your generosity in sending three of the Sancho Panza Belicosos.

Flavor:Mild, Burn: average to good, slower than normal Draw: Poor to low, rather hard Notes: mild vanilla,just a hint of a nutmeg finish but mainly light cocoa, no citrus at all unfortunatly,would need a strong drink to even think of buying this one again(Talisker maybe?) was not consistent with prior Sancho's I've had, thus the disappointing review.

I may be but a mere novice and not up to the aficionado stage yet but I stumbled across this Sancho recently and it is perfect for me! Not too light, not too harsh, keeps together nicely and burns slow and even. Don't have to draw on it too heavily either (unlike Romeo y Julieta Coronation which was a touch disappointing). These are very well priced for singles on this site and I will be ordering here soon!! written by Cliffy UK

I`d tend to disagree here, folks. The Sancho Panza Belicoso is often compared (unfairly) to a Monte 2 or Vegas Robaina Unico - it`s not the same kind of cigar and is probably more analogous to a Diplomaticos 2. This is a fine light to mild torpedo with an open draw and leathery, woody tastes. I like Sancho Panzas very much and the Belicoso is a good example. The heavy gauge, however, lends for a few sharp notes - hell, sharp notes are a good thing, try a Monte some time - this is a fine Cuban cigar and I`d be very pleased if someone bought me a box. Mine don`t go out too often, either. No more than my Monte 2`s do. written by Dave Francis

Enjoyed these quite a bit, somewhat mild but tasty. Get hooked on Boli Belicosos and these start to pale a bit. Great for new smokers. written by JM USA