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Initial Thoughts
As you can see, I am on a 1502 kick right now. It might (just might) have something to do with the fact that they sent me a nice sampler and who am I to turn down great looking cigars? I have included information about the company and releases in the previous reviews, so be sure to check those out as well.
As noted in those reviews, 1502 will release a new cigar, the Nicaragua, as well as new vitolas of their existing lines. Currently, the Ruby comes in five vitolas: toro, torpedo, perfecto, robusto, and conquistador. The lancero will be one of the latest additions to the line released sometime this year.
This came as a sample provided to me by 1502 Cigars. The usual disclaimer: though I am grateful for the samples, 1502’s generosity will not play a part in how the cigar is evaluated.
Looks
Compared to the Black Gold I reviewed last, the 1502 Ruby Lancero looks a little more rugged. It has a milk chocolate shade wrapper that has several prominent veins and visible seams. It is box pressed like the other vitolas I’ve seen, but the edges seem a little more round than on some of the others. The triple cap is flush and there are no tears or cracks in the wrapper.
Like the Black Gold, the foot has the loose wrapper pressed up against it, covering about half of the visible filler. I have learned since the last review that this is called a “cigar lock” and is intentional. You learn something new everyday!
The band on the Ruby is very close to the color of a ruby, but a little deeper and with a hint of purple in it. The standard gold print and design are used as well. As the burn line approaches the band, it slides off very easily without damaging the wrapper.
Function
Despite its semi-rugged appearance, the 1502 Ruby Lancero feels very smooth. I squeeze it to check for soft spots but find none. The resistance is perfect, slight give but firm at the same time.
The foot had nice aromas of earth, molasses, and hay. The barrel smelled just like chocolate and pepper, which was very enticing. The pre-light draw gave off a chocolate and hay flavor.
To cut the cap, I went with my trusty CRA cutter. It made quick work of the cap. One thing that was different on the 1502 Ruby Lancero was that the pre-light draw is very open. This worries me a little since it has such a small ring gauge. I hope it doesn’t burn too quickly!
Smoking
It’s windy that night, so I go with my single flame torch to light the 1502 Ruby Lancero. It lights up quickly and evenly. Throughout the entire smoke, the burn stays even. However, in addition to it being even, it is very fast! The open draw plus the wind makes it disappear before my eyes. I had to try very hard to make it last close to an hour.
I usually don’t expect much from the ash on a lancero. It’s definitely not what I would pick to win a long ash contest! This one does okay, with the first one last about ¾” before falling off. The ash is dark, loose, and flaky for most of the cigar. I did get a decent amount of ash on me, but I’m sure the wind didn’t help.
Flavor
Now to my favorite and most crucial analysis: the flavor. This is the first 1502 Ruby I’ve smoked so I have nothing to base this one on. Knowing that each line is purposely blended to be distinguishable from the others, I certainly don’t want to compare it to the ones I have smoked. Let’s see if this lancero can stand on its own!
From the beginning, I am greeted with cream and red pepper. The two notes blend very well together with the pepper not getting too spicy. Further into the first third, some hay and wood notes appear as well. One thing of note is that the first third passes in less than 15 minutes due to the fast burn.
The second third is about the same as the first, with lots of creamy red pepper and some wood. I am trying to slow down on taking pulls on the cigar, but it still burns rather quickly.
Not much to report in the final third. The cream and red pepper continue with some wood to boot. Near the end, some earth comes in as well. I smoke it down to the nub, never getting any harshness.
The 1502 Ruby Lancero was medium in strength and flavor. Due to the small ring gauge and the very open draw, smoke time was 50 minutes. Though not a very complex cigar, it was pretty tasty. It definitely stands out from other cigars I’ve had recently, as most I’ve smoked don’t consist of red pepper and cream.
Would I Buy It Again?
Most likely, though I think I would like to try some other vitolas first. Also, I don’t know what the MSRP is.
Is It An Everyday Smoke?
Probably not. It is not complex enough for me to want to smoke everyday.
Would I Buy a Box?
Not of this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How strong is the 1502 Ruby Lancero?
The 1502 Ruby Lancero is medium in both strength and flavor — nothing that’s going to knock you down, but enough to keep your attention for the smoke.
What are the flavor notes of the 1502 Ruby Lancero?
Cream and red pepper are the stars of the show throughout, with supporting notes of hay, wood, and a little earth toward the end. The pepper never gets aggressive — it plays nicely with the cream the whole way through.
Where can I buy the 1502 Ruby Lancero?
Eric received his as a sample directly from 1502 Cigars, so check 1502cigars.com or your local premium cigar retailer to track down the Ruby Lancero.
How much does the 1502 Ruby Lancero cost?
Eric didn’t have pricing info at the time of his review, but the Ruby Lancero runs around $7 per stick.
What bourbon pairs well with the 1502 Ruby Lancero?
Eric didn’t note a specific pairing in this review — check the pairing suggestions below for ideas that match the cigar’s cream and red pepper profile.
Where to Buy 1502 Ruby Lancero
Average retail: ~$7 per stick. Prices vary by retailer.
| Retailer | Price | Availability | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Famous Smoke Shop | ~$7/stick | ✅ In Stock | Shop Now → |
| Cigars International | ~$7/stick | ⚠️ Check Stock | Shop Now → |
| Amazon (samplers) | Varies | ✅ Available | Search Amazon → |
Stogies on the Rocks may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Best Bourbon Pairings for the 1502 Ruby Lancero
As a full-bodied, high-strength Nicaraguan torpedo, the Cojonu 2006 demands a bourbon with presence. Here are our top three pairings based on complementary flavor profiles.
#1 — Knob Creek 9 Year
Knob Creek 9 Year’s caramel sweetness and gentle oak backbone complement the Ruby Lancero’s creamy notes while holding their own against the cigar’s red pepper kick without either one overwhelming the other.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#2 — Old Forester 1920
Old Forester 1920’s bold proof and rich dark fruit character gives the Red Lancero’s mild spice something to push against, while its sweetness echoes the creamy profile Eric kept coming back to.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →#3 — Russell’s Reserve
Russell’s Reserve’s soft, approachable vanilla and light oak character lets the Ruby Lancero’s distinctive cream and red pepper flavor stay front and center rather than getting buried by the bourbon.
Buy on ReserveBar → Read Our Review →Pairing suggestions based on the Stogies on the Rocks flavor profile scoring system. Browse all bourbon reviews →
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Conclusion
