The AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Toro cigar features a gorgeous Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, a Mexican San Andrés binder, and Nicaraguan filler. The cigar was the Bellas Artes line’s second blend.

The Spanish phrase “Bellas Artes” means “Fine Arts” in English. The flavor profiles of this one include cedar, earthy, leather, and a tiny bit of pepper and spice. It’s a full-bodied cigar that is very complex but excellent in terms of construction, draw, and burn.

Wrapper Origin: NicaraguaShape: Toro
Length: 6Ring: 54
Wrapper: Mata FinaList Price: $210 (Box of 20)
Origin: BrazilianStrength: Full

Appearance of AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Toro

Beautiful Brazilian foliage covers the exterior of the AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Toro cigar, giving it the appearance of a Broadleaf leaf. It appears to be of high quality because it is nicely pressed, firm all the way through, and the wrapper is smooth in texture and just a little oily. Two bands are present on the cigar, which is similar to the previous releases of the brand.

A black and gold accent surrounds the rich apricot background of the primary band. The band’s center features an elegant portrait painting of a woman with two angels on her side. The phrase “Bellas Artes” is written over the portrait in a cursive-like script with black and gold border. In the center, it also has a decorative crest and more colorful motifs.

Smoking Experience

The AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Toro cigar has a very strong, earthy aroma. The earthy scent with traces of cocoa tones is also noticeable on the foot. It produces a very loose but wonderful draw during the cold draw, which is typical for the brand. With regard to flavor profiles, it imparts an earthy flavor along with some chocolate notes, more like milk chocolate, and a few flimsy fruit flavors.

Upon lighting the cigar, the first thing I noticed was a faint pepper flavor that wasn’t quite overbearing. In addition to the earthy, cocoa, and little leather notes, you can also taste a spice. It has a really strong flavor right away, indicating that it has a very full-bodied flavor in the beginning. It has a lot of smoke output and tastes very creamy, leathery, and slightly spicy. I also sensed a note of cedar at the finish. It’s a pretty complex cigar so far but very good.

My first third has been followed by a really wonderful, creamy sweetness. The cedar is now slowly growing more as I continue to receive more leather notes. The spice I’m still feeling from this isn’t overpowering; it’s just there to season the flavor.

For my second third, a leathery flavor initially comes through before giving way to a cedar note and a grassy wheat note. The spice is still present; it hasn’t become stronger or weaker; rather, it has continued to remain constant throughout the cigar so far. Moreover, the burning had been nearly flawlessly even, which is impressive for a box-pressed. It’s a very complex cigar, and as I smoked it, new tastes began to kick in.

I had a lot of flavor transition after my final third. The sweetness essentially disappeared, and the earthy flavor gradually took its place. A considerably deeper flavor profile has replaced the sweetness, the cedar is still present right towards the end, and the pepper has already intensified.

Overall

Overall, after the second third, the flavors of the AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Toro cigar likely became constant all the way to the end, leaving the flavor profile pretty much unchanged. You get flavors of cedar, earthy, leather, and a tiny bit of pepper and spice. The first two thirds weren’t really giving me any strengths, but the tastes in the last third started to improve.

One aspect of this cigar that really struck me is that I haven’t had to touch it up at all. The ash is holding very beautifully, and the construction and draw are excellent throughout the entire cigar. This cigar is ideal for you if you enjoy deeper, more nuanced smoke that is medium to full-bodied. The flavors are really complex and the cigar is very strong, so if you want to start smoking cigars from this line, this shouldn’t be your first purchase.

Other Cigars Reviews

Other AJ Fernandez Cigar Reviews

AJ Fernandez New World Oscuro

The AJ Fernandez New World Oscuro is a highly acclaimed cigar from Nicaragua’s prime tobacco-growing regions of Jalapa, Condega, and Esteli. Developed by Fernandez and his father, Ismael, this cigar boasts a complex flavor profile, including rich notes of dark chocolate, cedar, leather, and pepper, complemented by underlying sweetness and creaminess. Its dark brown Nicaraguan Oscuro wrapper is notable for its toothy texture and artistic band design. While the smoking experience reveals a progression from medium to full-bodied intensity, with consistent flavors and a particularly prominent dark chocolate note towards the end, the cigar’s strength may prove intense for light smokers in the final third. Despite this, it maintains excellent construction, burn, and ash production throughout, offering a complex, satisfying smoke that presents incredible value, especially considering its affordable price, thereby solidifying the reputation of the AJ Fernandez New World Oscuro.

AJ Fernandez Last Call Maduro Geniales

AJ Fernandez, a notable cigar maker from Nicaragua, is celebrated for his handmade cigars, which incorporate a mix of international tobaccos. The Last Call Maduro Geniales is a prominent offering, enveloped in a unique, dark, oily Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. Despite its unremarkable band design, this full-strength cigar provides a consistent flavor profile marked by sweetness, spice, leather, toasted nuts, and notable coffee overtones. It maintains steady strength and excellent construction throughout the smoke, although some flavors recede in the final third. While its band lacks appeal, this review of AJ Fernandez Last Call Maduro Geniales makes it a dependable, coffee-accented experience suitable for occasional enjoyment rather than daily indulgence.

Other Full-Strength Cigars

Partagas Sabroso

The Partagas Sabroso is a flavorful and well-constructed cigar that offers a rich history and a unique blend of flavors. With its African Cameroon wrapper, Dominican Republic origin, and full strength, the Partagas Sabroso provides a satisfying smoking experience that combines cedar, earthy, and leather notes with a mild peppery aftertaste. The cigar’s smaller size and above $5 price point make it an ideal choice for those seeking a quick yet flavorful smoke. As detailed in this review of Partagas Sabroso, this cigar is sure to delight tobacco enthusiasts with its combination of wonderful flavors, excellent construction, and vintage elegance.

Vudu Broadleaf Robusto

The Vudu Broadleaf Robusto, a premium cigar designed by master blender Jesus Fuego, stands out for its rich chocolate-hued Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper and the meticulous triple-seam cap that attest to its quality. With a strong Nicaraguan origin and full strength, the cigar boasts a blend of Nicaraguan binder and fillers that deliver an intense heat. The initial puff offers a mix of earth and spice, evolving into a profile of earth, charred oak, sweetness reminiscent of chocolate, and notes of black pepper. As the cigar progresses, the flavors further develop, with espresso, leather, wood, and a hint of vanilla appearing. The construction remains top-notch with a smooth draw, razor-sharp burn, and compact ashes. This review of Vudu Broadleaf Robusto concludes that it is a well-crafted cigar that delivers strength and complexity, earning it a score of 90.

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Maria Morales

Maria Morales