This 4.5-inch panetela from VegaFina's Fortaleza line brings Mexican spice wrapped in affordability. Packaged in 25-count boxes at $100.37, the 36-ring gauge cigar offers 50-60 minutes smoking time ideal for coffee breaks. The Criollo wrapper glistens with natural oils, hinting at flavors developed in Tabacalera de García's expert rolls.
Toasted cedar notes break through initial pepper spice, with dry earth undertones. Medium smoke output requires slow draws to avoid heat build-up in this narrow format.
Dominican filler tobacco emerges - roasted coffee beans mixed with cashew butter sweetness. Watch for uneven burn lines common in smaller ring gauges.
Spice intensifies (white pepper/cinnamon) alongside mineral notes. Cut smoking at 1" mark to prevent bitterness from concentrated oils.
The Mexican Criollo wrapper shows thicker vein structure than Cuban-seed alternatives. Pack humidity between 65-68% to prevent cracking in slender format. Box code "VFDR22" indicates 2022 production from La Romana factory.
At $4 per cigar, Fortaleza 2 outperforms machine-made options while lacking depth of $10+ counterparts. Recommended for morning smoke sessions paired with espresso.
