Tatuaje Black Petite Lanceros

The Tatuaje Private Reserve Black Label Petite Lancero is an absolute masterpiece for fans of slender, traditional ring gauges.

While the broader Tatuaje Black Label line—often called the "Private Reserve"—began as a legendary personal blend that Pete Johnson handed out as unbanded farm rolls, the 6 x 38 Petite Lancero stands out as one of the finest iterations of that original vision. Rolled at the My Father Cigars S.A. factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, this vitola beautifully concentrates the wrapper’s influence, delivering an intensely savory and shifting smoking experience.

Cigar Specifications

• Wrapper: Nicaraguan Sun Grown Criollo '98

• Binder: Nicaraguan

• Filler: Nicaraguan

• Vitola: Petite Lancero (6 x 38)

• Strength: Medium to Full

• Body: Medium-Full

Flavor Profile & Evolution

First Third: The Signature Kick

True to its My Father pedigree, the Petite Lancero opens with a definitive blast of black and red pepper spice. However, because of the 38 ring gauge, it immediately balances out with a beautiful, heavy sweet aroma. The initial draws coat the palate with dry cedar, earthy leather, and a very distinct undertone of musty hay and raw cocoa powder.

Second Third: Sweet & Savory Balance

As the cigar settles into the midsection, the aggressive pepper recedes slightly, moving mostly to a sharp but clean retrohale. The profile shifts toward a rich, buttery nuttiness—reminiscent of macadamia nuts and toasted cashews—intertwined with a deeper espresso note. A light, unique herbal sweetness (almost like dried fruit or a whisper of mint) emerges, cutting through the denser earth and leather notes. The smoke texture is velvety and highly concentrated.

Final Third: The Robust Finale

In the final two inches, the body hits its full stride. The sweetness takes on a charred, darker quality, reminiscent of peanut brittle and heavy oak. The black pepper surges back to the front of the palate, mixing with bitter dark chocolate and a lingering hint of baking spice or cinnamon on the finish. It smokes beautifully down to a finger-burning nub without turning harsh, provided it's smoked slowly.