Stogie Reviews: Vegas de Fonseca Petite

I picked up this 4.25 inch stick when I was looking for a short smoke and thought I should try something new. I’ve never been a fan of Fonseca, finding them bland and uninteresting. But I’d read that this line, introduced some years back, was bolder and tastier. Coupled with my affection for Cameroon wrappers, there seemed to be good potential.

According to MATASA’s website, it’s actually grown in the African nation, too. Aging in palm bark is supposed to add to the taste. The company lists the filler as a mix of Dominican and Nicaraguan ligero, with the binder U.S. Connecticut broadleaf. Cigar Aficionado ranked the somewhat larger Sobrinos vitola 14th on its list of the best 25 cigars in 2004.

From the start, the 40 ring gauge perfecto looked flawless. The wrapper, the roll, the prelight draw—all appeared excellent. The cap clipped easily and the light was nearly instantaneous.

Unfortunately, when I was smoking it, I didn’t find a lot to distinguish this cigar from the regular Fonseca. It was a little stronger and a little tastier, but nothing to write home about. The wrapper, in particular, did not seem to have the distinguishing Cameroon spice and flavor.

I paid only $3.30, so it wasn’t much of a disappointment. But I can only give this Vegas de Fonseca three out of five stogies.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–George E

photo credit: Famous