Full disclosure time, I’m a longtime fan of the Cabinetta series. It’s not only a regular rotation smoke for me, but it has proven to be an outstanding cigar to hand out to novice smokers over the years. There’s nothing scary about the Cabinetta as it’s always a smooth, creamy, highly enjoyable experience. The lancero format was discontinued back in 2016 so it has indeed been a long while since I was able to light one up… until now. The Joya Cabinetta lancero was reintroduced this year although production is extremely limited. Is it worth your valuable time to track one of these skinny mofos down? Keep reading!
THE CIGAR – JOYA CABINETTA LANCERO by JOYA DE NICARAGUA
Size: 7 1/2 x 38
Wrapper: Connecticut-seed Ecuadorian & Nicaraguan Criollo
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $9.95 (while these samples were submitted to the TNCC for review, you can jump over to Famous Smoke Shop right now and get $20 off your purchase by using promo code TNCC20)
The Joya Cabinetta features faint aromas of earth, cedar, and there’s a slight sweetness detected when sniffing the foot of the lancero directly. After twisting off the cap and applying a single cut, the cold draw reveals a touch of grassiness and hay. The cigar is firmly rolled with only a slight amount of give when squeezed between two fingers.
Upon torching the foot of the Joya Cabinetta, a warm pepper spice with little if any bite presents itself on the retrohale. The draw’s profile here early on is cedar and light coffee, both backed by a subtle honey note. At the one inch mark, a mustiness begins to arise beneath the retro’s pepper.
I thump the dark grey ash out of precaution and soon after the pepper spice increases its potency by a few notches. The mustiness factor keeps that spice in check to where it remains far from overpowering and the draw’s cedar and coffee flavors are playing nicely with what’s happening above through the nose. Construction has been stellar so far with a smooth, open draw and excellent burn. A Nica mineral note arrives on the draw and it, somewhat sadly, kicks the honey flavor to the curb.
The Cabinetta’s burn is almost to the fifty yard line when the creaminess arrives in waves. Waves, I tells ya! I’ve been waiting nearly 25 minutes for it, I knew in my heart that it would show up sooner or later, and the lancero thankfully did not disappoint. A creamy, damn near buttery note washes over everything and it’s awesome. The combination here of spice and cream is a perfect example of two contrasting sensations working harmoniously together to deliver something special. If you think you’ve got the Cabinetta figured out from the first few puffs, you don’t.
Once the burn line reaches the transition point from Ecuadorian shade-grown leaf to the darker Nicaraguan habano criollo leaf, the cedar flavor vanishes completely and the Cabinetta’s strength rises up to medium territory. The creaminess is still present, although the uptick in the pepper’s prominence has it now discernible strictly to the draw alone. The enticing ying and yang of approachable spice and offensive-to-absolutely-nobody cream continues to dominate the Cabinetta’s smoking profile for the remainder of the cigar’s lifespan. Zero complaints. Well, okay, one complaint – the cigar is smoking a bit faster than I would like it to…
THE NUB
TNCC FINAL SCORE = 94
The Joya Cabinetta lancero continues the brand’s legacy of being a highly enjoyable cigar to both experienced and rookie cigar smokers alike. Warm pepper spice, inviting flavors of cedar and coffee, all coated by an undeniable creaminess that is fucking outstanding. I absolutely loved this cigar and my only criticism is that it didn’t last longer than its 52 minute duration. What else can I possibly say to encourage you to try one for yourself?
