A Lancero is a long, slender cigar. In Cuban factory terms it is the Laguito No. 1, measuring 192 mm with a 38 ring gauge, and it is often finished with a small twisted pigtail at the head.
A shape tied to Cohiba
The Laguito sizes take their name from El Laguito, the Havana facility associated with the early days of Cohiba. The Cohiba Lanceros is the best-known example; read Cohiba: The History of a Modern Cuban Marque.
Why smokers seek them out
Because it is so narrow, a Lancero contains a high proportion of wrapper to filler. Enthusiasts often say this gives a more concentrated wrapper character. The narrow shape is also demanding to roll evenly, so the format is sometimes treated as a test of a roller’s skill.
Lancero or panetela?
Lanceros belong to the wider family of slim cigars sometimes grouped as panetelas. In catalogues, “Panetela” and “Short Panetela” usually refer to shorter slim formats; see Understanding Cigar Vitolas.
