OZ Family Cigars Karatoba Robusto

Cigar hobbyists of this generation may be a bit fuzzy on Tim Ozgener and his impact on the world of premium cigars, but a quick rewind to the early 2000s will have you casually dishing out “OZ-ghen-er” callouts alongside your battle-worn cigar veterans. Best known for his tenure at CAO, where he helped reshape the premium cigar landscape with exotic blends like Brazilia and Italia, Ozgener stepped away from the industry in 2010, leaving behind a loyal following alongside one of the best-known brands in the biz. But cigars have a way of calling people back, and in 2022, he returned with Ozgener Family Cigars (now known as OZ Family Cigars).

Following the debut of Bosphorus, a line rooted in Tim’s Turkish heritage, the OZ Family portfolio has gradually expanded to reflect both his lineage and palate. That arc continues with Karatoba, the brand’s fourth regular-production line and arguably its most intriguing to date. True to form, the name fuses two culturally rich references: Kara, the Turkish word for dark, and Toba, referencing Indonesia’s Lake Toba—the world’s largest volcanic lake, formed by a cataclysmic eruption some 70,000 years ago (or so they say). The name has other tie-ins as well, tipping its hat to the cigar’s dark Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, which wraps around a Nicaraguan binder and a blend of fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

Karatoba Robusto Breakdown

Karatoba marks the first time OZ Family has partnered with the Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. (NACSA) factory, a shift that seems to signal new creative latitude. Ozgener has described the Karatoba blend as “opening big” before evolving into a “rich, lush profile” akin to “a hearty, well-seasoned bolognese sauce, with a maple-syrup finish.”

The cigar was announced shortly before this year’s PCA trade show (where it officially debuted), eventually shipping four sizes in mid-June:

Appearance

The Karatoba Robusto has a rugged, earthy charm to it—modest appearance, but clearly well-constructed. The cigar is topped with a straightforward double cap, and the wrapper has a noticeable tooth to the touch, with a brick-red undertone that peeks out beneath the darker brown hue. Seams are tight and well-aligned, though a couple medium-sized veins stray from the otherwise fine, consistent layout.

The band is clean enough, featuring a black background and copper accents, but it doesn’t exactly demand attention. In a crowded humidor, it’s the kind of design that might get overlooked—especially when paired with the increasingly abstract naming structure of the OZ Family portfolio (Karatoba follows in the footsteps of Bosphorus and Aramas: intriguing, but not quite something that’s likely to stick with you).

The cigar feels solid in the hand, with a medium-plus bunch density and only the slightest give when squeezed. On the nose, the wrapper shows a light mineral edge and subtle barnyard musk. The foot is a touch punchier—offering a funkier barnyard aroma, cracked peppercorn, and warming nutmeg. A straight cut reveals a draw in the 8/10 range—firm but open enough—offering notes of musty earth and warm baking spices on the pre-light.

Smoking Experience

Karatoba kicks off with a dry, savory quality—immediate hits of herbs and warm cabinet spices coat the palate, with just enough umami to round out the profile. There’s a subtle sweetness that creeps in on the finish, clinging to the tongue in a way that keeps the experience grounded rather than sharp. The smoke output is medium, with a draw that lands right in the sweet spot—firm enough to control the burn, but open enough to keep the flavors flowing.

The burn line stays mostly straight, and while the cigar might be burning a touch faster than expected, it holds together well. Ash is medium gray, slightly flaky, and toothy in texture, stacking in roughly one-inch chunks before falling away cleanly. Despite its chewy aesthetic, the mouthfeel is surprisingly dry—an impression that persists through much of the experience.

There’s a familiar vibe here—something that immediately calls to mind the Oliva Serie V Melanio. That distinct Sumatra character is unmistakable: baking spices, toasted nuts, and a brown sugar sweetness that lifts the otherwise dry delivery. Peanut brittle joins the mix after a couple inches, followed later by a gooey coffee cake quality as the profile ramps up near the midway point—think cinnamon crumble and melted brown sugar, without veering into cloying territory.

As the flavor intensity ticks up into a medium-plus vibe, the body and strength remain more restrained, both hovering at a solid medium. The smoke hits the sides and center of the tongue, leaning into dry cabinet spices, toasted nutmeg, and just a touch of anise and pine in the latter half. While it doesn’t scream for attention with big shifts or jaw-dropping transitions, Karatoba keeps your interest by staying balanced, textured, and confidently composed.

Would I Smoke This Cigar Again?

I’m on the fence here—the Karatoba is well constructed and offers a decent amount of satisfying smoke throughout, but I just didn’t find anything new or interesting enough to run back to the humidor for seconds. In today’s market, the $12 price range is actually quite fair, so I’d be fine with the purchase given the right scenario. Then again, Oliva Melanio cigars—which I found to have a very similar profile—are virtually always on sale. Given the choice between the two, I can’t imagine not choosing the Melanio.

• Adding onto Tim’s background, it should be noted that he left CAO when its new owners moved the brand from Nashville to Richmond, VA. Tim and other CAO vets decided to stay in Nashville, leading to the creation of Crowned Heads. While Tim was a silent investor for much of the company’s history, he stepped into the limelight while simultaneously debuting OZ Family Cigars (which is distributed by Crowned Heads). Earlier this year, Mike Conder, the co-founder of Crowned Heads, retired from the company. Tim Ozgener purchased Conder’s shares in Crowned Heads and replaced him as CEO.
• The OZ core lineup now includes: Bosphorus, Aramas, Firsat, and Karatoba. Each name draws from Tim’s Turkish heritage, referencing the Bosphorus Strait, Mount Ararat, the Turkish word for opportunity, and Lake Toba.
• I haven’t been much of a fan of the OZ presentations thus far, usually feeling cluttered in design and lacking resonance with the naming conventions. I will say that the Karatoba is more clean and put together, yet the copper-on-black bands fail to stand out—as can be seen in this review’s photos—with the copper receding into the black backdrop.
• Currently, the OZ Family Cigars Karatoba ranks on Dojoverse as “100% Smokable,” placing in the top 46 percent of cigars on the all-time leaderboard.

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