The AJ Fernandez San Lotano Oval cigar was launched earlier this year at the IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas. I enjoyed a couple of them when I was down on Melbourne a month ago for their Australian launch at Baranows, and without hesitation can say they are a great cigar. The blend keeps things interesting, while the shape and the mouth-feel is superb.The Oval is truly the work of skilled craftsmen and women. It may appear like it's a squashed, box-pressed cigar, but their is no box-pressing involved in its manufacture. Of the Oval, "this blend, in this shape, is perfect," said Clay Roberts, VP of Marketing and Brand Creative for AJ Fernandez Cigars, when I caught up with him in Melbourne for a Cigar Journal interview.
Although the photo doesn't do it justice, this shot of the foot explains the 'Oval' shape.There is slight resistance in the pre-light draw which offers light fruit/citrus flavours. The cigar begins with a nice draw and with it, a strong black pepper start. After about half an inch, the black pepper subsides and a thick 'cookie dough' flavour is celarly evident. I can't lay claim to this descriptor as I can with the Perdomo Cigars 'Jungle Curry' as the cookie dough flavour was mentioned by Mark Thompson of Aussie Cigars when I met up with him in Melbourne. I tasted it in the Ovals we had then, and I tasted it again when enjoying this Oval back in Sydney.
The second third continues with the cookie dough flavour but also has a light spicy finish. Towards the end of the second third and throughout the final third, a milky creaminess with hints of spice are the stand-out flavours.
What a great cigar. The San Lotano range is available in Australia exclusively at Baranows Cigars, and they should have more Ovals in stock soon.
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