The Secretos del Arte was originally introduced as the Casa Fernandez Master Mason at the 2016 IPCPR, but the company had to re-brand it due to a Trademark issue with Hiram & Solomon Cigars that had the same brand-mark. At this years IPCPR Casa Fernandez re-introduced as the Secretos del Arte (Secrets of Art). Other than the name change nothing else changed with respect to blend or vitolas. The Secretos del Arte Cigar is still being made at the Sabor Aganorsa S.A. (SABSA) factory, in Jalapa.
The blend of the Secretos del Arte is described as:
The company has broken the mold a bit by offering these in 50-count boxes and 5 different vitolas including two shorties:
- Short Robusto (4 x 52) — MSRP $6.00
- Short Gordo (4.5 x 60) — MSRP $7.00
- Toro (6 x 54)— MSRP $7.50
- Torpedo (5.5 x 52) — MSRP $6.50
- Robusto Grande (5 x 56) — MSRP $7.00
For this review I sampled the Secretos del Arte Short Robusto which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
This is quite the specimen of a cigar to look at, with its dark and oily San Andre’s wrapper and expertly applied triple cap. The packing is solid with just a slight spring along the shaft. Running your finger across the wrapper you can feel a decent tooth (grit). The excess leaf is folded over on the foot, but not a completely closed foot.
The band on this has been changed for the re-branding, the original Masons symbolism has been changed so as not to cause confusion with the Hiram & Solomon cigar brand. It now reflects a pyramid instead of the compass and square that was on the original. The rest of the band remains the same with the Cuban flag laid in the background under the gold artwork.
The pre-light aromas were quite muted – i did not pick very much up either on the barrel or the foot.
I used a my Zikar double blade to cut the cap and gave it a few cold draw puffs. The restriction was just right and it offered a hint of pepper and coffee.
Cigar Review Notes
Casa Fernandez Secretos del Arte
Casa Fernandez Secretos del Arte
Casa Fernandez Secretos del Arte
Casa Fernandez Secretos del Arte
Casa Fernandez Secretos del Arte
- Initial puffs offered notes of coffee and pepper notes
- Very fruity aroma develops early
- Wood notes enter with the pepper
- Solid white ash develops on a medium char line
- A slight sweetness hides in the background
- Pepper recedes after an inch
- Smoke volume is full
- Maple syrup aroma evolves
- Cedar adds to the profile followed by a sweet oak by the half way mark
- There is a lot of woody notes so far
- Natural Sweetness grows moving into second half
- A slight off burn starts
- As I tapped the ash a bit off centered cone is revealed
- Spice enters after band is removed
- Terrific oiling on the wrapper
- Spice maintains and lingers through to the end
- Medium to Full Strength
- Total Smoking Time was just under one hour
Overall, the Casa Fernandez Secretos del Arte had some delicious flavors through the smoking experience with a folly volume of smoke from foot to nub. This is easily described as a woody cigar with various wood notes playing through the burn. The natural sweetness added to the enjoyment. With the wood notes and sweetness, I would pair this with a good Islay Single Malt or a fine Bourbon.
Casa Fernandez Secretos del Arte