Today’s post brings a fresh breeze from across the ocean – we’re sharing our impressions of the Fonseca by My Father Robusto.
It doesn’t happen often enough not to make a note of it. This cigar was smoked while I was on a call with Piotr Siwiński. A beautiful summer day – Piotr on the line, a cup of coffee, fresh air, and the comforting thought that the next hour and a half, maybe two, would be spent exactly the way I like it.
We smoked the Fonseca by My Father Robusto while talking about it – and, as always, about everything else. Sharing impressions live, in real time, just the way we enjoy it most.
Although the news about My Father Cigars acquiring the rights to the Fonseca brand first broke in 2019, the cigars didn’t actually reach the market until mid-2020. That announcement spread like wildfire, but I have to admit – even though I was already deep into the cigar world back then, it didn’t catch much of my attention.
Maybe because I wasn’t particularly drawn to Cuban cigars at the time. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder: how would a marriage between a brand so deeply Cuban in spirit and a Nicaraguan powerhouse with Cuban roots of its own actually work out?
To find out, we went through quite an effort. The cigars traveled hundreds of kilometers with us, found their way into our humidors, and eventually down to ash – only to settle here, permanently, in the form of this review.
This isn’t just a review of Fonseca cigars, nor is it a typical My Father review – though in this pairing, it leans more toward the latter. It’s best to start by explaining how My Father Cigars became the owner of the Fonseca name on the American market.
Fonseca by My Father
Because of the embargo, Americans can’t enjoy Cuban cigars. For us Europeans, that’s always been a small consolation – after all, we have something they don’t.
The announcement that My Father Cigars had purchased the rights to the Fonseca name came in 2019 — relatively recently, at least by the standards of cigar dynasties. The main reason behind the acquisition was the brand’s historical value. Fonseca is a Cuban name with roots reaching back to the late 19th century.
The rights were owned by the Quesada family, who had been collaborating with the Garcías since 2012. That long-standing relationship gave the Garcías plenty of time to understand the lay of the land. While there was never an official statement, it’s been said that internal issues within the Quesada family led to the sale of the brand.
The blends, however, have changed completely. Drawing on their extensive knowledge and experience – both in growing and crafting cigars – My Father Cigars now uses mostly tobacco from their own farms in the new Fonseca lines. They have everything it takes to preserve the brand’s heritage while giving it a distinctive touch of their own.
Smart timing, sharp instincts, and a solid grasp of the U.S. market – where stories sell best. Especially those with old family names, a hint of rivalry, and that elusive Cuban connection. In short, a brilliant move.
The Fonseca by My Father Robusto
The line made its debut right at the start – back in 2020. And there’s a reason I call it the “core line.”
In early March 2024, the range expanded with the introduction of Fonseca MX – a new blend featuring a Mexican San Andrés wrapper. For now, though, we’re staying with the original release.
The core lineup includes the following vitolas:
- Petit Corona (4 1/4 x 40),
- Robusto (5 1/4 x 52),
- Cosacos (5 3/8 x 42),
- Belicoso (5 1/2 x 54),
- Toro Gordo (6 x 55),
- Cedros (6 1/4 x 52).
In this review, Piotr and I are sharing our impressions of the Fonseca by My Father Robusto.
A few technical details
The cigar comes in a Robusto format, measuring 5 1/4 inches in length (about 13.3 cm) with a 52 ring gauge. Slightly longer, slightly thicker – but still very much a Robusto. It’s made entirely from Nicaraguan tobacco. At first glance, the wrapper leans on the lighter side. The cigar itself looks beautiful – truly eye-catching. The My Father-style bands have long since stolen my heart, and this change definitely did Fonseca some good. Red and gold dominate the design, complemented by a golden ribbon at the foot, giving the cigar an immediate touch of elegance and class.
The Cut
I always take a moment to give the cigar a good sniff before cutting. The wrapper offers aromas of cedar wood with a touch of earth, all wrapped in a gentle sweetness that ties everything together beautifully. From the foot, the scent turns drier – more wood and a hint of pepper. I decided to open it with a straight cutter. Snip. The draw is perfect, and a smile instantly appears on my face. On the cold draw, the cigar greets me with flavors of wood, a touch of spice, and a subtle earthy note.
The Light
I give the foot a thorough toasting with my jet flame lighter and bring it to life with a few short, gentle puffs. After letting it catch its breath, I dive in. The first thing to greet me is a mix of pepper and cream – an already intriguing combination. A moment later, I realize that the “cream” leans more toward toffee.. or maybe it was toffee all along? Soon, coffee joins the palette – more Arabica than Robusta, with that distinct hint of acidity. Then the cream returns to the forefront, quickly joined again by the toffee. There’s never a dull moment here. Mineral notes appear next, brightening the whole experience. I also sense a faint burnt note in the background – the kind I often find in Kentucky leaf when it shows up in heavier blends. Then things get even more interesting as a touch of orange peel comes into play. Nearing the end, almond notes emerge, slowly giving way to dry earth. There’s a lot going on in this cigar!
Strength & Body
I’d rate the strength of this cigar as medium to full. You can truly feel its power only toward the end – though it’s definitely best to have something to eat beforehand.
Aroma & Smoke
The cigar produces generous amounts of thick, heavy smoke carrying aromas of wood, coffee, earth, and cream. The cream ties it all together, giving the smoke its shape and smoothness.
Construction & Burn
The burn wasn’t perfectly even. Maybe it was the light breeze, maybe not – but from time to time I had to reach for the lighter to even things out.
A note from Piotr Siwiński
Orange peel. That’s exactly the kind of nuance in a cigar that gets me excited. So how did this Fonseca by My Father hold up?
When I heard that Fonseca – the same brand I’d once smoked in its Cuban form – was getting an American counterpart, it immediately landed near the top of my must-try list, right next to the Camacho Triple Maduro. Until then, I’d only admired it on my screen, studying that majestic, richly detailed band. But of course – it’s My Father. The typographic nods to the Cuban Fonseca? Clear and deliberate. And then the day finally came – the cigar was in my hands.
The tasting took place outdoors, yet nothing escaped my attention. Everything was just as it should be. Uneven burn? Sure. Thick, aromatic smoke? Absolutely. Coffee, pepper, and that beautiful creaminess. And then – that something – the signature touch every My Father fan will instantly recognize. This was a true My Father: rich, intense, consistent. Fans of the brand won’t be disappointed — everything that Nicaragua under the Garcías does best is right here.
Will this note be useful to anyone? I’m not sure. But one thing I know for certain: among all cigars from this brand, Fonseca lands firmly in second place for me – right after my beloved The Judge. And can you guess what made the difference? Orange peel.
That small, devilishly clever accent of surprise changed everything. It added a spark – like a shot of steam rising from the finest cup of specialty coffee – and suddenly it all just clicked. Because we all know coffee and orange make the perfect pair. If that detail was intentional, then it was executed flawlessly.
Would I like to have more of these in my humidor? Of course. But knowing myself, I wouldn’t smoke them every day. This is a cigar I’d save for special moments – because it is special. Bold, satisfying, complete. The kind of cigar that makes any aficionado say, “That was worth it.”
After all… who among us doesn’t have a favorite My Father cigar?
Final Thoughts on Fonseca by My Father Robusto
I really enjoyed this cigar! It’s a shame I can’t just order it whenever I want. For its complexity and depth of flavor, I can easily forgive the uneven burn. And the sheer amount of thick, aromatic smoke – simply beautiful.
This cigar has everything I like. The band and the golden ribbon at the foot deserve special mention – they give the whole thing a real sense of class.
I know I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: My Father Cigars bands remain, in my opinion, the benchmark – the kind of design others can only try to imitate.
I sincerely recommend this cigar if you ever get the chance to try it.
This cigar was purchased with our own funds.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Piotr Siwiński, @mycigarway, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
