Since smoking several cigars in AJ Fernandez' new cigar line, San Lotano, I thought I would share my review of the Habano Wrapper. You have heard the history about AJ and his family, so no need to rehash that.
The example I smoked was the San Lotano Habano robusto. I choose the robusto, as it is present in all three blends of the San Lotano and allows for people to taste the blend in a pleasant vitolla. With a 5 X 52 cigar, made wiht a Brazilian Habano wrapper, Honduran and Dominican binder and Nicaraguan and Honduran filler, this cigar is more towards the full strength side of the flavor/taste/strenght spectrum.
This cigar has a nice coppery brown wrapper, which has some veins. A nice oily wrapper, which is rolled with no soft spots. There were no construction issues noted on the 4 examples that I smoked of this blend. As noted in the Maduro, I loved the double band on this cigar as the brand band was well designed and went well with the appearance of this cigar. The “Habano” band was a nice touch to this good looking cigar. I know, the appearance of a cigar is not everything, but this cigar has a nice presentation. Afterall, it is really the flavor we judge most cigars by.
Pre-cut hints of leather, spice and coffee came through on this cigar. You can sense there is some nice strength to this cigar, even prior to lighting it. I cut the cap with my Palio, which is my always my preferred cutter. Pre-light tastes of a leather, cedar, dark coffee, white and black pepper, and a hint of light sweetness emitted. I noticed a slight restriction on the draw, but did not feel this would cause any issues.
After toasting with my Dupont Xtend lighter, I noticed a small crack develop on the foot of an example. Perhaps this was caused by the humidification which the retailer I purchased it from stored it at. This crack took nothing away from this cigar though. After a few draws, hints of leather, coffee, barnyard, cedar and spice developed. I also noticed a slight sweetness starting up, which was a combination of light dusty cocoa, vanilla and licorice. This cigar also produced a lot of thick smoke, which allowed for some great smoke rings. Yeah, I know simple pleasure cause enjoyments for me.. lol
Through all stages of this cigar, the complex flavor profile came through. The spice remained a constant flavor from start to finish. That nice mix of black and white pepper was enjoyable. The slight sweetness did nothing to detract from this cigar, but rather added to the complexity of the flavor. I had a few burn issues during my hour and 10 minutes of smoking this cigar, but they were easily correctged by quick touch ups with my lighter. I did pick up more nicotine in this cigar, but it did not detract from the flavor or over power my palate.
Overall, I enjoyed this cigar, although the Maduro wrapper was more fitting of my flavor profile. As I stated before, It is very nice to enjoy a cigar, which has been created at a reasonable price. With a price range of $6 to $8 for this cigar, it allows people to enjoy a well made cigar at a reasonable price.
I realize rating cigars by number is silly for some folks, but others like to see rating number on a cigar. I rated this one at a 8.9 on the 10 point scale. All of the cigars in this line are weel made, so you need to add this into your future cigar sampling. Perhaps AJ's cigars will make it into your normal rotation. We truly are blessed cigar wise with all the different cigars manufacturered today. You owe it to yourself to try as many as you can.
Once again, I hope this review helps. Be safe, watch your six, smoke something great and create a memory with a friend.
The example I smoked was the San Lotano Habano robusto. I choose the robusto, as it is present in all three blends of the San Lotano and allows for people to taste the blend in a pleasant vitolla. With a 5 X 52 cigar, made wiht a Brazilian Habano wrapper, Honduran and Dominican binder and Nicaraguan and Honduran filler, this cigar is more towards the full strength side of the flavor/taste/strenght spectrum.
This cigar has a nice coppery brown wrapper, which has some veins. A nice oily wrapper, which is rolled with no soft spots. There were no construction issues noted on the 4 examples that I smoked of this blend. As noted in the Maduro, I loved the double band on this cigar as the brand band was well designed and went well with the appearance of this cigar. The “Habano” band was a nice touch to this good looking cigar. I know, the appearance of a cigar is not everything, but this cigar has a nice presentation. Afterall, it is really the flavor we judge most cigars by.
Pre-cut hints of leather, spice and coffee came through on this cigar. You can sense there is some nice strength to this cigar, even prior to lighting it. I cut the cap with my Palio, which is my always my preferred cutter. Pre-light tastes of a leather, cedar, dark coffee, white and black pepper, and a hint of light sweetness emitted. I noticed a slight restriction on the draw, but did not feel this would cause any issues.
After toasting with my Dupont Xtend lighter, I noticed a small crack develop on the foot of an example. Perhaps this was caused by the humidification which the retailer I purchased it from stored it at. This crack took nothing away from this cigar though. After a few draws, hints of leather, coffee, barnyard, cedar and spice developed. I also noticed a slight sweetness starting up, which was a combination of light dusty cocoa, vanilla and licorice. This cigar also produced a lot of thick smoke, which allowed for some great smoke rings. Yeah, I know simple pleasure cause enjoyments for me.. lol
Through all stages of this cigar, the complex flavor profile came through. The spice remained a constant flavor from start to finish. That nice mix of black and white pepper was enjoyable. The slight sweetness did nothing to detract from this cigar, but rather added to the complexity of the flavor. I had a few burn issues during my hour and 10 minutes of smoking this cigar, but they were easily correctged by quick touch ups with my lighter. I did pick up more nicotine in this cigar, but it did not detract from the flavor or over power my palate.
Overall, I enjoyed this cigar, although the Maduro wrapper was more fitting of my flavor profile. As I stated before, It is very nice to enjoy a cigar, which has been created at a reasonable price. With a price range of $6 to $8 for this cigar, it allows people to enjoy a well made cigar at a reasonable price.
I realize rating cigars by number is silly for some folks, but others like to see rating number on a cigar. I rated this one at a 8.9 on the 10 point scale. All of the cigars in this line are weel made, so you need to add this into your future cigar sampling. Perhaps AJ's cigars will make it into your normal rotation. We truly are blessed cigar wise with all the different cigars manufacturered today. You owe it to yourself to try as many as you can.
Once again, I hope this review helps. Be safe, watch your six, smoke something great and create a memory with a friend.
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