Today’s reviews offer up a mix of the smooth and bold. We will begin on the smoother end of the spectrum with a look at the San Lotano Maduro Robusto and end things on a stronger note with the Tatuaje M80.

San Lotano Maduro Robusto

A.J. Fernandez is credited with bringing the San Lotano line back from the dead. His grandfather launched San Lotano in San Luis, Cuba, but it faced major obstacles once Castro took over. Since it has such a special meaning to Fernandez and his family, I can only expect that it will be a quality cigar. Let’s light one up to see how it fares, shall we?

I’m sampling the Robusto vitola of the San Lotano Maduro line for this review. It measures 5 ½ x 54 and is one of five sizes offered. The other four include the 6 x 54 Toro, 6 x 60 Gordo, 6 ½ x 52 Torpedo, and 7 x 54 Churchill. The filler is a blend of proprietary tobaccos from Honduras and Nicaragua. A dual binder of Dominican and Honduran tobaccos comes next. Last, but not least, is a Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper. Production of the San Lotano Maduro takes place in Esteli, Nicaragua, at the Tabacalera Fernandez factory. Strength-wise, the cigar is said to be medium-bodied.

The most noticeable physical aspect of the San Lotano Maduro Robusto is its box-pressed shape. It’s done to perfection and gives the cigar a nice aesthetic touch. Two bands near the head really spruce up the appearance as well. The top band showcases the San Lotano logo and the A.J. Fernandez name. The bottom logo in black and gold displays the Maduro label. Both look superb when matched with the dark Maduro wrapper. It has some oil and a couple stray veins noticeable to the naked eye. The cigar is more rough than smooth and feels firm to the touch. There are zero soft spots here. It also exhibits solid weight when held in the palm of my hand. The chocolate scent and sweet cold taste have me rearing to light this baby up.

I really can’t ask for a better burn than the one that is provided by the Maduro Robusto. If all San Lotano cigars burn like this one, I may have to sample them all. Plenty of smoke is produced and the draw is just right. The light gray ash is solid as well. The burn stays even on its own from start to finish, so maintenance is no issue. That’s exactly how I like it.