The flavor packed within the San Lotano Oval Robusto is quite enjoyable. Complexity and smoothness seem to be the two major themes here. The first third starts off with tasty chocolate that is soon joined by coffee. The second third switches things up with a transition to sweetness, cedar, and spice. The spice is a nice kick, but nothing on the powerful side. The final third offers up a mix of nuts, earth, and more chocolate. I’d call the Oval Robusto more of a medium-bodied cigar than a full-bodied one.

While I may have been unfamiliar with the AJ Fernandez and San Lotano names before, the Oval Robusto has definitely converted me into a fan. The cigar had an excellent appearance, solid burn, and delicious flavors. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a smooth, medium-bodied smoke to enjoy with a nice cup of coffee. You can find the San Lotano Oval Robusto for around $8 to $10 per single. It may not be the easiest to get your hands on, however, since it is limited to brick and mortar stores. Still, give your local shop a call and see if they have any in stock, you won’t regret it.

The San Lotano Oval Robusto earns a rating of 3.75 out of four stars.

La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale Club

Released during the fall of 2011, the La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale was created as a change-up from Team La Gloria. The cigar’s release came after eight years of hard work, and its development was inspired by a humidor found at the El Credito Cigar Factory. It’s said to not only offer a different profile from other previous La Gloria Cubana releases, but it also comes equipped with a revamped band design. I have tried La Gloria Cubana offerings in the past and enjoyed them, so I am hoping that this change will not ruin a solid tradition of quality smokes.

I’ll be smoking an Artesanos Retro Especiale Club for today’s review, which measures 5 ¾ x 47. La Gloria Cubana also produces other sizes for the line, including the 6 x 52 Habanero, 6 ½ x 58 Cubano, and 7 x 52 Taino. The various names selected for each size in the line supposedly represent the early days of the brand. In terms of composition, the Artesanos Retro Especiale begins with a filler blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan Ligero that’s combined with proprietary Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. A double binder of Mexican and Nicaraguan tobaccos comes next, and a Connecticut Seed wrapper grown in Honduras completes the composition. The cigar’s strength is listed as full-bodied.