My Weekend Cigar Review: Sancho Panza Extra Chido

A “Cool” Smoke That Brings The Sizzle

The Sancho Panza Extra Chido cigar selection represents a blending encore for Matt “Room101” Booth and STG’s Justin Andrews in their Sancho Panza collaboration. Last year, Matt and Justin re-blended the Sancho Panza, Sancho Panza Double Maduro, and Sancho Panza Extra Fuerte lines.

Meaning “extra cool” in Spanish slang, Sancho Panza Extra Chido is a new full-time collection that debuted this past April. Normally made in Honduras, Extra Chido also marks the first time a Sancho Panza cigar has been made in the Dominican Republic.

“I'm stoked to be collaborating with Justin again on this extension to the Sancho Panza product saga,” said Matt. ”It’s an honor to contribute my part to such a classic brand.”

Sancho Panza Extra Chido cigars are presented in a 5”x50 Robusto, 6”x52 Toro, and a 6”x60 Gigante.

Cigar Details:

Factory: General Cigar Dominicana - Santiago, Dominican Republic
Size: 6”x52 Toro
Strength: Medium-plus
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan ASP, tercio-aged Dominican Piloto

Presented in boxes of 20

Sancho Panza Extra Chido Toro Cigar Review

The Sumatra wrapper was slightly bumpy and oily in appearance with an attractive reddish hue. Both of my samples were well-rolled, firm throughout, and finished with a rustic triple seam cap. The wrapper also offered a strong, sweet hay fragrance, but after cutting, the prelight issued a good draw with a dried fig flavor.

Once lit, I tasted a combination of tart fruit and black pepper. At the first half inch the pepper settled down leaving more of a tart and leathery flavor with a white pepper finish.

By the first inch, the tartness subsided while sweet tobacco and a layer of baking spices emerged. Farther along, the smoke became creamier, richer, and more rounded with a medium body. Notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and leather ensued with a snappy pepper finish. The cigar was burning well, too, emitting a sweet-spicy aroma. White ashes appeared flaky yet hung on pretty tightly.

At the mid-section, leather and sweet spices continued with an occasional drive-by note of earth. Sweet tobacco also started to wriggle in. Nutmeg was more vivid here, too, as another transition took place: the smoke was now slightly spicier, earthier, and darker. Additionally, the body shifted to medium-plus while the strength tilted towards full.

During the final inches the smoke remained creamy on the palate but less earthy. Some of the core flavors held up nicely, too. By the time I put the cigar down, some baking spices and earth had returned and the peppery finish never left.

Was Sancho Panza Extra Chido Weekend Worthy?

When I learned that extra chido meant “extra cool,” I thought about the connection. If I had to compare Extra Chido to the three Sancho Panzas Justin and Matt re-blended last year, the Chido is similar in blend to the Double Maduro and Extra Fuerte, both of which have Ecuador Sumatra wrappers. However, this is where the choice of tobaccos—ages, primings, growing regions, etc.—makes the difference, and the Extra Chido blend sets itself apart from its cousins by offering a bolder and spicier experience. Perhaps the connection is that “cool” means “spicy.” To be clear, my two Toros were far from being spice bombs. With that, the Sancho Panza Extra Chido should appeal to cigar smokers seeking a medium-bodied smoke that’s a little more stimulating, which is also why I would smoke it again.

Please Note: Gary’s review was based on his experience and that your mileage may vary.