San Lotano Requiem Connecticut

After years of being the man behind many acclaimed cigars, AJ Fernandez, the Cuban exile, finally did what many had long anticipated — he released his own national brand: San Lotano Requiem Connecticut. Introduced in three distinct wrappers, San Lotano cigars are expertly crafted at Tabacalera Fernandez in Nicaragua, the same factory responsible for Man O’ War and many other celebrated cigars. This San Lotano blend has earned an impressive 91-point rating from Cigar Aficionado. Fernandez is renowned for his deep tobacco knowledge, and that expertise shines through in the diverse selection of tobaccos used for each San Lotano blend. Adding to the lineup is the recently introduced San Lotano Oval, a unique mixture of aged and proprietary tobaccos that creates an entirely different experience. For the lightest expression in the San Lotano portfolio, AJ Fernandez selected a shade-grown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, paired with a Honduran binder and Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers. From a distance, the cigar is immediately recognizable thanks to its rich, silky sheen. The flavor profile begins with a complex mix that quickly settles into notes of earth, aged tobacco, nuts, cedar, spice, and creaminess. It’s not your typical Connecticut—its flavor depth rivals cigars with much darker wrappers—yet the strength remains comfortably in the medium range. Construction is flawless, consistent with the rest of the San Lotano line, producing excellent ash, an even burn, and ample smoke. For those seeking a lighter version of AJ’s acclaimed blends, San Lotano Connecticut delivers exactly where it counts most—flavor.