7-20-4 Original Lancero vs 1874 Corona Especial
By Twins Smoke Shop | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: Comparisons
Compare the 7-20-4 Original Lancero 7.5x38 and 1874 Series Corona Especial 5½x42 on size, blend, and aging. Find which fits your smoking time and strength preference.
Quick answer
Choose the 7-20-4 Original Lancero 7.5x38 if you want a long, slim smoke with a dark Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper and a cedar-aged, medium-bodied profile that rewards a slow pace. Choose the 7-20-4 1874 Series Corona Especial 5½x42 if you prefer a shorter, slightly thicker cigar built on a five-year-aged Nicaraguan Habano wrapper and a four-year-aged filler blend for a refined, medium-bodied experience in less time.
Size and smoking time: long and thin vs short and slightly thicker
The Lancero measures 7.5 inches with a 38-ring gauge, so it delivers a long, slender draw and typically takes noticeably longer to smoke than the Corona Especial at 5½ inches by 42. The Corona Especial's shorter length and slightly larger ring gauge make it a more compact option when you have less time or want a more concentrated smoke.
A thinner ring gauge like the Lancero's 38 can bring the wrapper leaf into sharper focus, while the Corona Especial's 42 ring gauge offers a touch more filler tobacco per puff. Neither is inherently better; the choice comes down to how much time you have and whether you prefer a delicate, extended smoke or a shorter, denser one.
Blend and aging: Mata Fina wrapper vs aged Nicaraguan Habano
The Original Lancero uses a dark Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, a Costa Rican binder, and a long-filler blend from Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico, and Colombia, then cedar-ages each cigar for 120 days. That combination points to a complex, medium-bodied smoke with a clean finish, and the cedar aging is intended to add depth and nuance.
The 1874 Series Corona Especial takes a different route: a five-year-aged Nicaraguan Habano wrapper from Jalapa, an Indonesian binder, and a four-year-aged filler blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos. The extended aging of both wrapper and filler suggests a smoother, richer medium-bodied profile. If you value aged tobacco as a marker of refinement, the Corona Especial has the edge on paper; if you want a multi-origin blend with a Brazilian wrapper, the Lancero is the distinctive pick.
When the spec sheet is not enough
Neither product record supplies strength ratings beyond medium-bodied, exact burn time, or tasting notes beyond broad descriptors. That means you should treat the size and aging facts as your main decision tools rather than expecting a precise flavor map. If you already know you prefer a certain ring gauge or smoking duration, let that guide you first.
Trade-offs to weigh
- Time commitment: The Lancero's 7.5-inch length means a longer sitting than the 5½-inch Corona Especial. If you usually smoke in under an hour, the Corona Especial is the more practical choice; if you enjoy a long, slow session, the Lancero rewards it. Match the cigar length to your available time before considering flavor.
- Wrapper focus vs aged blend: The Lancero's thin ring gauge and Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper put more emphasis on the wrapper leaf, while the Corona Especial's five-year-aged Habano wrapper and four-year-aged filler prioritize aged-tobacco smoothness. Neither is superior; they appeal to different priorities. Decide whether you want wrapper-driven complexity or aged-blend refinement.
- Ring gauge preference: A 38-ring Lancero feels delicate in the hand and can smoke warmer if you puff quickly; a 42-ring Corona Especial gives a slightly more forgiving draw and a bit more filler per puff. If you are new to thin cigars, the Corona Especial is the gentler introduction. If you tend to smoke fast, a slightly larger ring gauge may be more forgiving.
Product facts
- 7-20-4 Original Lancero 7.5x38 (Box of 20): 7.5 x 38 Lancero with a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, Costa Rican binder, and multi-country long filler, cedar-aged 120 days. The slim format and cedar aging suit a slow, extended smoke where wrapper character and nuance can develop.
7-20-4 Original Lancero 7.5x38 (Box of 20) - 7-20-4 1874 Series Corona Especial 5 ½ x 42 (Box of 20): 5½ x 42 Corona Especial with a five-year-aged Nicaraguan Habano wrapper from Jalapa and a four-year-aged Honduran/Nicaraguan filler blend. The shorter size and extensively aged tobaccos point to a refined, medium-bodied smoke that fits a tighter schedule.
7-20-4 1874 Series Corona Especial 5 ½ x 42 (Box of 20)
Which one fits you?
Best for
- Smokers who want a long, elegant, slow-burning cigar with a distinctive Brazilian wrapper.
- Those who enjoy exploring how a thin ring gauge highlights wrapper flavor and cedar aging.
Not for
- Smokers with limited time who need a shorter smoke.
- Those who prefer a more forgiving draw or a larger ring gauge.
