My Father García & García Robusto Deluxe

In 2016, My Father Cigars released a singular cigar under a new line named García & García, named after the company’s owners, the García family. That 6 3/4 x 54 toro extra vitola was not a limited edition release; rather, it was a limited production cigar with an MSRP of $35 each that was only sold at select retailers.

During the 2021 PCA Convention & Trade Show that took place in July, My Father showed off a followup to that creation that was not only a smaller size, but also came in at slightly lower MSRP of $30 each. Carrying the name García & García Robusto Deluxe, the 5 3/4 x 52 vitola is made up of the same blend that was in the original release, specifically an Ecuadorian habano rosado wrapper covering a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos, including both criollo 98 and pelo de oro.

However, there were two major differences between the two releases other than the size and price point: first, the newer cigars were sold exclusively to retailers who attended the aforementioned PCA Convention & Trade show. Second, the Robusto Deluxe is a limited release made up of a total of 3,000 boxes of 10 cigars that were produced at the My Father Cigars S.A. factory located in Estelí, Nicaragua.

There have been two different releases in the Garcia & Garcia line so far.

• My Father Garcia & Garcia Toro Extra (6 3/4 x 54) — 2016 — Limited Production
• My Father Garcia & Garcia Robusto Deluxe (5 3/4 x 52) — 2021 — 3,000 Boxes of 10 Cigars (30,000 Total Cigars)

• Cigar Reviewed: My Father García & García Robusto Deluxe
• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
• Wrapper: Ecuador (Habano Rosado)
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua (Criollo 98 & Pelo de Oro)
• Length: 5 3/4 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 52
• Vitola: Robusto Extra
• MSRP: $30 (Box of 10, $300)
• Release Date: Sept. 16, 2021
• Number of Cigars Released: 3,000 Boxes of 10 (30,000 Total Cigars)
• Number of Cigars Smoked For Review: 3

Although the combination of the main band and foot band do their best to hide the wrapper—together, they take up about half of the total real estate of this specific vitola—I can still see that the My Father García & García Robusto Deluxe is covered in a noticeably reddish brown wrapper that is silky smooth to the touch while also being just short of rock hard when squeezed. In addition, there is plenty of oil present and there are a number of protruding veins running up and down its length. Aroma from the wrapper is a combination of cedar, earth, generic nuts and leather while the foot brings notes of sweet hay, raisins, almonds, more cedar and barnyard. After a straight cut, the cold draw features flavors of almonds, sweetened cereal, cedar, cocoa nibs, leather and a touch of varnish.

As the foot of the García & García Robusto Deluxe is toasted and I take the first couple of puffs, there is an almost overwhelming flavor of bitter espresso and a touch of spice, both of which eventually recede enough to be replaced by top flavors of roasted coffee beans and toasted bread. Secondary notes of leather, creamy hay, dark chocolate and cedar along with some faint citrus flit in and out, while the retrohale includes both slight black pepper and sweet almond paste flavors, the latter of which seems to be getting stronger as the third burns down. The draw is excellent so far after a straight cut and the burn line is sharp, while the smoke production is above average flowing off of the foot. Flavor and body are both medium and the strength hits a point just below the medium mark by the end of the first third.

While the slight spice that was present on my tongue in the first third is long gone by the time the second third of the My Father begins, the main flavors of toasted bread and dark chocolate show no signs of letting up any time soon. The profile also includes notes of cedar, espresso beans, hay, earth, generic nuts and light citrus peel, as well as a touch more almond paste sweetness on the retrohale. Construction-wise, both the burn and draw continue to impress in one sample while the other two each need a couple of minor touch-ups, and the smoke production on all three cigars remains at a level that is above average. Flavor remains at a solid medium, body increases slightly to a point just above medium and the strength stays put in the medium range as the second third comes to an end.

There is not much change in the profile of the Robusto Deluxe during the final third, with both toasted bread and dark chocolate leading the charge, interspersed with other flavors of popcorn, creamy leather, cedar, roasted coffee beans, peanuts and citrus peel. Both black pepper and almond paste sweetness remain noticeable on the retrohale, although both are slightly reduced compared to the second third. In terms of construction, both burn and draw are now in perfect harmony on all three samples—and stay that way until the end of the cigar—while the smoke production has actually increased slightly. Flavor and body both end the cigar at medium plus while the strength level hits medium plus just as I put the nub down with about an inch remaining.

Final Notes

• Pelo de oro tobacco—a Spanish term that translates to golden hair—has been banned in Cuba due to its prevalence for developing mold. However, My Father has incorporated it into a number of its releases over the years, including its Le Bijou 1922 line, the My Father Limited Edition 2010 and the original release of the García & García in 2016.
• Unlike the original release in 2016, the Robusto Deluxe is packed in a slightly toned-down box that is missing the metal My Father logo on the lid. Instead, that piece has been replaced with a gold screen-printed version that is similar to those used on a number of the company’s other boxes.
• Speaking of the packaging, the original My Father García & García took the 10th spot in halfwheel’s Packaging Awards for 2016.
• The smoke emanating from this cigar smells sweet and bready, reminding me strongly of graham crackers.
• The cigars smoked for this review were purchased by halfwheel.
• Final smoking time for all three samples averaged one hour and 58 minutes.
• If you would like to purchase any of the My Father García & García Robusto Deluxe cigars, site sponsors Atlantic Cigar Co. and Corona Cigar Co. have them in stock now.

Update (Nov. 17, 2021) — The original post stated this cigar’s length as 5 1/4 inches, as noted below, that is incorrect. It is 5 3/4 inches.