In 2010, A.J. Fernandez launched his first nationally distributed brand, San Lotano. It was launched with three different wrappers (Connecticut, Habano and Maduro) and gained a significant amount of buzz and following. In the spring of 2011, the discussion changed to that of a new shape and lots of rare and aged tobacco. Aptly named Oval, the San Lotano Oval is offered in six sizes, all with the unique shape and comprised of a lengthy list of tobaccos. Outside there's an Ecuadorian Habano 2000 wrapper that has a deep and rich brown color, the binder is Nicaraguan, but the filler is comprised of aged tobacco and a proprietary Honduran filler.

In general, Oval is fuller than all three of the original San Lotano blends, even if that is up for debate, the flavors are not. It begins with coffee, bitter cocoa and pepper and adds earth, nuts, leather, herbs and aged tobacco throughout the course of the cigar. Smoke production and construction are impeccable, easily the best of the Tabacalera Fernandez factory in Estelí, and the price point is a lot more affordable than originally thought. For those that have enjoyed the original San Lotano lines, particularly the Habano and Maduro, or the Man O' War lines, particularly Ruination — Oval is a step up in just about every category. Expect to see Oval on many people's top 10 list for 2011, it really is that good.