Factory: H.A.T.S.A. – Danlí, Honduras
Size: 6”x 52
Strength: Medium-plus
Wrapper: Ecuador Sun Grown Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan Estelí
Filler: Dominican Republic, Nicaragua
Presented in boxes of 20
Brand makeovers and relaunches are fairly common in the cigar industry. In July of 2022 General Cigar announced a makeover of the Sancho Panza cigar line. That job fell to Sancho Panza Senior brand manager, Matt Wilson.
“Cigar culture has evolved and so has the desire for cigars that deliver a multitude of experiences in one cigar,” said Matt. “With Sancho, it is as important to us to respect the traditionalist as it is to embrace the modern smoker, and we feel we’ve ticked the boxes for both.”
So, Matt called in the A-Team—Justin Andrews and Matt “Room 101 Cigars” Booth. Collaborating with the H.A.T.S.A. blending team in Danlí, Honduras, they revamped all three Sancho Panza selections: Sancho Panza, Double Maduro and Extra Fuerte. Wilson also wanted to update the look and feel of the brand. That gig went to Matt Booth who designed a new logo which, according to the press release, gives “a nod to the Latin culture and vibe of West LA, California.”
“The re-launch of Sancho Panza marks an exciting turning point for this iconic brand,” said Matt Booth. “I am extremely proud of the work that the entire team has done to bring these new expressions to life and I look forward to witnessing the brand’s newfound potential.”
Construction: Well built. The rolling is a little on the firm side but the tobaccos are evenly packed. The wrapper has a nice oily glow. The seams are barely visible and the triple seam cap is textbook.
Cold Draw: Very good with notes of raisin and fennel.
Base flavors: Earth, espresso, sweet tobacco, nutmeg, cinnamon.
Aroma: Sharp.
Burn & Ash: An even burn throughout revealed gravity-defying ashes with a dark grey-black color.
Upon lighting, the cigar took easily to flame. The opening notes were a mix of earth, espresso, and sweet tobacco. The cigar also issued a thick stream of smoke through the head.
Within the first inch I noticed how firm the ash was. The early flavors were a mix of espresso and sweet tobacco, followed by the presence of nutmeg. The body was dead center medium. The caramel-like sweetness (best way I can describe it), and baking spice elements continued to increase as the cigar neared its midsection.
One of the most impressive aspects of this cigar is its smoothness. The medium body, espresso, sweet tobacco, and baking spices also continued into this section. Burning along, the smoke was well-balanced and became a little spicier as a note of cinnamon entered the mix. I would occasionally pick up a hint of cocoa, but it was just too vague to mention. (Your mileage may vary.) One thing I also noticed was this nebulous underlying earthiness throughout the experience.
The final inches issued a more medium-plus body, while the sweet tobacco and baking spices continued to roll along. The strength also shifted up a little but it had no effect on my palate. Still well balanced, I also picked up a note of that long-lost fennel from the cold draw, but the raisin flavor never returned. Overall, medium to medium-plus in body, well-balanced, lightly earthy, sweet, and delicately spicy, not to mention the perfect burn and ash. All that added up to a very enjoyable session.
Since this Double Maduro is a fairly sweet cigar, you might want to go with a bourbon or rye that’s not too sweet. Maybe a bourbon & tonic for a more citrusy effect. I paired my sample Sancho DM with a ginger ale, which was probably too much sweetness, but it worked.
For more accurate pairing combination results, please see our Cigar & Spirit pairing guide.
The concept was to make each Sancho Panza a more multidimensional experience. After smoking two Double Maduro Toros and really thinking about my experiences, I could make a case for this cigar being complex even though I found only a few key flavors that stood out. I don’t doubt there were more flavors bubbling under that I missed.
Based on its smoothness and medium body, I can recommend this Maduro as an ideal “first Maduro” for the newly initiated.
Suffice it to say, the Sancho Panza team accomplished their goals, including an appeal to younger adult cigar smokers. For a dark, relaxing cigar that will hold your interest this Toro is a smart pick and reasonably priced. You can’t ask for more than that.
Executive Editor
Gary Korb has been writing and editing content for CigarAdvisor.com since its debut in 2008. An avid cigar smoker for over 30 years, he has worked on the marketing side of the premium cigar business as a Sr. Copywriter, blogger, and Executive Editor of Cigar Advisor. A graduate of the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, prior to his career in the cigar business, Gary worked in the music and video industry as a marketer and a publicist.
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I’m going to miss the old ones, especially the box-pressing, but I’ve stockpiled a box or two of each. Looking forward to the new ones! Sancho Panza has been a “go-to” for me for a long time.