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The Viva La Vida Robusto is a 5 x 54 Nicaraguan puro with a Habano Oscuro 2000 wrapper, Corojo ’99 binder and Criollo ’98 filler, made at Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez for Artesano del Tobacco. Cigar Aficionado rated it 86 points in October 2022, and we sell it as singles.
38 in stock
Description
The Viva La Vida Robusto is a 5 x 54 Nicaraguan puro that pairs a dark Habano Oscuro 2000 wrapper with a Corojo ’99 binder and Criollo ’98 filler. Artesano del Tobacco owns the brand, and its website credits Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez with rolling it.
What It Tastes Like
Two dated independent reviews cover this exact size. Cigar Aficionado’s rating in its October 1, 2022 issue awarded 86 points, describing an earthy profile with sweet leather and a charred, dark-roast coffee note on the finish. Cigar Dojo’s August 16, 2019 review scored it 87 percent, picking up pepper and caramel-like sweetness early, cinnamon and coffee-cake tones midway, and cayenne heat building on the retrohale late. The maker’s own copy adds roasted nuts and a rum-like edge.
Who It’s For
- Dark-wrapper fans who want a short smoke built on Nicaraguan oscuro leaf.
- Robusto smokers after a hefty 54 gauge without a long time commitment.
- A.J. Fernandez followers curious about a blend he produces for another company.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Scored in this exact size by both Cigar Aficionado (86) and Cigar Dojo (87 percent)
- All-Nicaraguan tobacco, which Cigar Inspector says is grown on A.J. Fernandez farms
- Cigar Dojo rated its construction and draw highly
Cons
- Cigar Aficionado’s tasting note mentions a slightly wavy burn
- Cigar Dojo found the flavor arc predictable from start to finish
About the Viva La Vida Line
Cigar Aficionado reports that the Fakih brothers ran two Cigar Inn shops in Manhattan and sold them before Viva La Vida reached U.S. shelves in March 2019. Halfwheel later reported that A.J. Fernandez had taken on U.S. distribution in addition to making it.
Compare Similar Cigars
- Viva La Vida Toro: the same Habano Oscuro blend stretched to 6 x 54.
- Viva La Vida Connecticut Robusto: an identical 5 x 54 frame under an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, listed as mild-medium.
- Viva La Vida Gran Toro: this blend in a much thicker 6 x 60 format.
- Viva La Vida Lancero: a slender 7 x 38 size that Cigar Inspector lists among the line’s export shapes.
Viva La Vida Robusto FAQ
What size is the Viva La Vida Robusto?
It measures 5 inches by a 54 ring gauge, according to the maker’s site, Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Coop.
Who makes the Viva La Vida Robusto?
Artesano del Tobacco, the company formed by brothers Billy and Gus Fakih, owns the brand, and the maker’s site and Cigar Coop both credit Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez in Nicaragua with production.
How strong is the Viva La Vida Robusto?
Sources differ slightly. Cigar Aficionado’s 2022 rating lists it as full, which matches our listing, while Cigar Dojo’s 2019 review and a 2022 Cigar Inspector article place it at medium to full.
Our Artesano del Tobacco cigars page gathers the other Viva La Vida sizes and blends.
Additional information
| Packaging Type | Single |
|---|---|
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Origin | |
| Wrapper | Nicaraguan Habano |
| Binder | Corojo '99 |
| Filler | Criollo '98 |
| Length | 5" |
| Gauge | 54 |
