Cigar Review: Crux Passport Lancero
18 Jun 2014
This is a new offering from Crux, a boutique brand created by two Minnesota tobacco retailers. Like other Crux cigars, the Passport vitolas feature small ring gauges, modern marketing, and low production figures.
I received two sample Lanceros from Crux, which plans to begin shipping the line at the end of June, along with a Corona (5.5 x 44) and a Toro (6 x 48).
“Only 100 boxes of each size will be released on the first shipment and 500 boxes of each on subsequent shipments,†says to Jeff Haugen, co-owner of both the Crux brand and the Tobacco Grove shop in Minnesota. They’ll follow up in August with 500 boxes each of two additional sizes.
The cigars are rolled at the Plasencia cigar factory in Danli, Honduras, with a blend that Haugen lists as a 2009 Habano Ecuador wrapper, Habano Viso Estelà binder, and Nicaraguan filler. The MSRP is $6.99, and they come in 20-count boxes.
Crux describes Passport’s strength at the low end of full, but I’d consider it more in the medium range.
Construction was fine on both samples, with lots of smoke production and a good draw. As can often be the case with thin ring-gauge cigars, a few relights were necessary as the byproduct of trying to smoke even slower than usual.
The most prominent flavor, for me, was cocoa and a bit of pepper. There was also an earthiness and a touch of leather. I did experience some harshness at a couple of points, particularly in one of the samples, but that may work itself out through the resting process before the line is released.
The company’s website lists only four retailers in three states, so finding your Passport may not be easy. But Crux is the kind of company it’s easy to root for, and I’d urge you to pick up any of their cigars if you spot them.
For me, this Lancero rates three and a half stogies out of five.
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photo credit: Stogie Guys