The VegaFina Fortaleza 2 Robusto Tubo arrives in style - literally. This 5x50 Dominican-made torpedo comes neatly packed in an aluminum tube, perfect for pocketing to your next poker night. At around $9.57 per stick in a 10-count box, it's positioned as an affordable luxury in the medium-strength category. The "Fortaleza" (Spanish for "strength") naming seems more aspirational than literal here, making this a solid choice for those wanting flavor without a nicotine punch.
The cold draw reveals faint cedar notes through the perfectly punched cap. Upon lighting, there's immediate white pepper tingle on the tongue that mellows into creamy cashew within three puffs. Smoke output surprises - thicker than expected from a medium-bodied cigar. Draw remains effortless throughout, though the burn line needs occasional correction in humid conditions.
Dominican creaminess takes center stage at the halfway point, with caramelized sugar notes peeking through. The Sumatra wrapper contributes a signature dry cedar accent, while the Nicaraguan filler adds just enough black pepper to keep things interesting. Retrohale brings out faint floral undertones that pair beautifully with coffee.
Past the band point, the cigar develops a pleasant earthiness without becoming muddy. Dark chocolate notes emerge, though the sweetness stays restrained. Body ramps up slightly to medium-full, but never crosses into harsh territory. Finish clean with minimal tar buildup - you'll feel comfortable nubbing this down to the last inch.
Handmade at Tabacalera de García, the world's largest premium cigar factory. The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper shows moderate oil with minimal veins. Triple cap application is flawless, and the tube packaging effectively maintains 68-70% RH without extra humidification. Box code reveals 18 months aging pre-shipment.
