El Pulpo The Eel Review: My New Number One Lancero

El Pulpo released The Eel in February 2025, and in my opinion it has proved itself a top class lancero. From the dark chocolate notes and espresso nuances to the transitioning smoke and full body finish, this is a cigar built so any fan or newcomer will fall in love with it. It carries a Mexican San Andrés wrapper over a Nicaraguan interior, and AJ Fernandez, who rolls it, once again shows why he’s a known name in this industry.

El Pulpo translates to the octopus, and the brand belongs to Artesano del Tobacco, who started the line in 2023 with thicker builds: the box pressed Robusto Grande and Toro Grande, plus a limited edition culebra called the Octo Ocho. The Eel was their answer to continuous feedback from consumers asking for a thin build that would further highlight the tobacco behind those other formats. I tried the line for the first time in 2024 with the standard box pressed toro, and recently got the chance to smoke The Eel.

Pre-light and first impressions

The blend is the same as the rest of the line with a slight adjustment in the fermentation process. We don’t know the exact changes, that part is proprietary, but you can definitely taste the difference between The Eel and its siblings. The dry pull gives dark chocolate and an almost raisin sweetness. A nice prologue for what’s to come.

Being a lancero, you’d expect to put effort into the pull, but this cigar does a great job of keeping consistent airflow all the way. I used a straight cut to snap the pigtail off and a single torch, since a 38 ring gauge doesn’t need more flame than that.

Smoking experience

A smooth start with a welcoming aroma. I got immediate espresso and dark chocolate, and a peppery note that wasn’t spicy but carried the chocolate, complimenting it without overshadowing it. You could feel the oil building as the first third concluded, and the cherry gave the cigar a nice eyeliner ring while burning, setting the stage for the second act.

The switch builds like watching a movie get closer to its climax. The pepper takes a backseat, the dark chocolate changes into rich leathery smoke with minor cocoa notes, and toasted cedar accents the retrohale. There’s minimal sweetness, almost like dried fruit, but just enough to complement the darker nuances. The smoke gets thicker and the notes go from 10 to 11. I put it down for six or seven minutes to make coffee and it didn’t change. The burn went auburn, and with one puff it was back to full ignition. Whether you’re someone like me who can’t put a cigar down once it’s lit, or the person who likes to let it sit and take their time, this stick takes care of both preferences, which is uncommon for lanceros.

The finale, however, is magical. First assumptions would be heavy smoke, pepper and cedar. The actual impression flipped my lancero and San Andrés knowledge on its head. The espresso became sweet, the dark chocolate turned rich, almost like a barbecue where sweet, spice and smoky flavors balance each other out. The toasted cedar kept accenting the range without overpowering it, and the oil pooled until you could taste it on your lips. It was delicious. I was mesmerized enough that I didn’t realize it was ending before it was too late.

Burn, draw, and construction

Not once did the burn become uneven or tight. Consistent airflow from beginning to end, which is exactly where most lanceros fall apart, and the pigtail cap took a straight cut cleanly. Holding its flavor through a six minute rest is the detail that stays with me. Plenty of lanceros punish you for setting them down at all. This one met me where I was, coffee in hand.

Value and buying perspective

The Eel is priced where aged and limited edition lanceros usually sit, which is not common for a regular production stick. The reasoning is the attention and aging behind it. AJ Fernandez has his stamp on every component, and the proprietary fermentation ensures this lancero stands apart from the competition. If you’d rather meet the blend in a fatter format first, the box pressed Toro Grande is where I started, and it costs less.

Final verdict

A stick I would try again and again, and again. Experiencing a San Andrés with sweet chocolate paired with rich toasted cedar and espresso, this cigar performs well above its peers, and after many tries it’s become my number one lancero. I can wholeheartedly stand behind it as a must try for every fan of lanceros, San Andrés wrappers, or Nicaraguan tobacco. It’s an hour or more of a session, and I’d pair it with something subtle like coffee or sparkling water. Let the cigar take center stage and give yourself the setting to enjoy it with diligence. AJ Fernandez made an experience that keeps your attention like a show with a standing ovation ending. Top pick.