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SPONSORS
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Welcome to another Geek Critique. This one is generously sponsored by Herfin' Chef (Wayne.) Up for review this time is the San Lotano Oval. This was a personal gift from A.J. Fernandez himself to Wayne. Thanks Wayne!
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Length:
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5.5
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Ring Gauge:
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54
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Country Manufactured:
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Nicaragua
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Filler:
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Honduras
Nicaragua
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Binder:
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Nicaragua
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Wrapper:
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Ecuador
Habana 2000
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Color:
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Colorado Maduro
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Strength:
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Full
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Shape:
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Robusto
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| This cigar was enjoyed with Water
Pre-Light: 19 Points of 20 Possible
This slightly box-pressed cigar sports a milk chocolate colored wrapper and a very unique band. The wrapper leaf is silky smooth and shows a slight oily sheen. It is expertly constructed - bunched well, firm from head to foot, with a cleanly applied cap. Using my Palio, it cut easily with no damage to the head. The prelight aroma smelled slightly of barnyard, and the cold draw tasted of cedar and pepper.
Light & Burn: 13 Points of 15 Possible
The cigar lit easily with my Xikar Tabletop lighter, and it burned evenly for the first half inch. After that, it became wavy enough to require three touch-ups during the course of the smoke. The salt and pepper ash is extremely firm and fell in clumps at about an inch intervals. It is a slow burning cigar with an easy draw and tons of billowing smoke. Total burn time - approximately an hour and a half, and no relights were required.
Construction: 25 Points of 30 Possible
As noted before, the draw on this cigar was perfect. It was open enough to allow plenty of smoke, but it burned slowly. The cap held up well over the course of the cigar, and there was no unraveling. It was also nice that the band was easily removed, so it didn't tear the wrapper. However, there were a few touch-ups required to keep the cigar burning straight.
Flavor: 31 Points of 35 Possible
1/2 - The cigar opens with heavy notes of cedar and pepper. As it settled, the core became that of wood and leather, although the pepper was always present on the retrohale. Despite the heavier flavors, it was remarkably smooth. Full-flavored from the beginning, it started medium-full bodied and increasing became fuller.
2/2 - There wasn't much transition in the second half, although the Habano wrapper became more pronounced. The woodsy flavor of the first half dominated, although I picked up on notes of earth, leather, and even a touch of sweetness in the second third. It wasn't terribly complex, but the flavor was good nonetheless.
Summary
Overall, I enjoyed this cigar, but it lacked the "Wow" factor for me. It is a flavor bomb and full in body, but it lacked complexity. With that being said, I would never turn one down and might pick up a single or two to have in the humidor when I want that classic Habano wrapper flavor. This would rate a low four stars on the CigarGeeks scale.
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