AJ Fernandez, a name synonymous with excellence in premium cigars, has established itself as a true artisanal powerhouse. With a rich Cuban heritage and a deep-rooted passion for tobacco, AJ Fernandez has consistently crafted nothing short of exceptional cigars. Known for their meticulously cultivated tobacco leaves and expert blending, AJ Fernandez cigars deliver a symphony of flavors and a luxurious smoking experience that captivates enthusiasts worldwide. From the robust and spicy New World to the smooth and refined Enclave, AJ Fernandez cigars are a testament to the artistry and dedication that goes into every blend, making them a must-try for fans seeking the pinnacle of cigar craftsmanship.
Shadow King Toro
Cigar artists, such as AJ Fernandez, meticulously create masterpieces in each of their offerings, combining a profound understanding of tobacco with a discerning aesthetic appreciation. The Shadow King Toro cigar exemplifies such craftsmanship, enveloping a unique blend of top-grade long-filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Honduras within a smooth, dark brown Ecuadorian Sumatra Oscuro wrapper. Initially presenting an interplay of spicy and sweet notes, including black pepper, espresso, and bitter cocoa, its profile evolves into a more intense, earthy tobacco flavor in the latter half. Harmonizing creamy sweetness with rich, complex undernotes, the Shadow King Toro embodies luxury at a modest price point, earning it a well-deserved 92-point rating and a solid place in the repertoire of discerning cigar enthusiasts.
AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Toro
The AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Toro is a full-bodied, complex cigar featuring a blend of a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper, Mexican San Andrés binder, and Nicaraguan filler, known for its robust flavors of cedar, earth, leather, and subtle hints of pepper and spice. Wrapped in exquisite Brazilian foliage, its appearance is distinguished by a smooth, slightly oily texture and dual bands, the primary showcasing an elegant portrait and ornate design. Its smoking experience starts with solid and earthy aromas and evolves through creamy sweetness, transitioning into deeper earthy flavors in the final third, with consistent cedar, leather, and spice notes. Notably, its construction, draw, and burn are commendable, as it maintains an even burn without the need for touch-ups, making it suitable for those preferring intense, intricate profiles rather than novices. This cigar’s multifaceted flavor, pristine construction, and consistent burn culminate in the esteemed reputation of the AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Toro.
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, the AJ Fernandez Last Call Maduro Geniales offers a dependable, coffee-accented experience, suitable for occasional enjoyment rather than daily indulgence.
Enclave by AJ Fernandez Robusto
The Enclave by AJ Fernandez Robusto stands out as a full-bodied option, originating from Nicaragua and characterized by its Ecuadorian Habano risotto wrapper, Cameroon binder, and Nicaraguan filler. While its appearance is notable for a reddish tint, smoother veins, and firmness, the flavor profile captures attention — an initial strong presence of cedar and cinnamon, complemented by notes of hay and a hint of sweetness. However, the experience shifts as the flavors peak unusually early in the second third, presenting a richness that, while impressive, unfortunately, wanes in the final third, muting the once vibrant notes and leaving a craving for more complexity and sustained intensity. Despite this, the cigar’s construction quality remains high throughout, marked by excellent draw and burn, though the ash’s stability could improve. Overall, the Enclave by AJ Fernandez Robusto presents as a good, not great, cigar, with its early peak in flavor richness and subsequent mellowing in the final third somewhat diminishing an otherwise promising smoking experience.
5 Vegas Triple-A
The 5 Vegas Triple-A, a standout offering, impresses with its flavorful complexity, smooth draw, and excellent construction. This medium-bodied cigar tantalizes with hints of nuts, chocolate, and sweetness, complemented by earthy, coffee, and spicy notes. Its robust shape, Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, and Nicaraguan origin contribute to its full strength and enticing appearance, characterized by a veiny, rough texture and a striking gold and black band. The smoking experience is consistently delightful from the first to the final third, with the cigar maintaining its rich, earthy core flavors, augmented by coffee, spice, and a subtle sweetness toward the end. Its construction remains impeccable throughout, providing an even burn, generous smoke output, and no need for touch-ups. The 5 Vegas Triple-A offers a satisfying, flavorful journey, making it a must-try for enthusiasts seeking quality and richness in their cigar experience.
AJ Fernandez La Gran Llave Connecticut Toro
AJ Fernandez cigars are renowned in the cigar industry, particularly the AJ Fernandez La Gran Llave Connecticut Toro, known for its diverse and rich flavor profile originating from Nicaragua with an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. This premium cigar, notable for its balanced cedar, wood, leather, black pepper, and vanilla notes, offers aficionados an exceptional smoking experience due to its exquisite construction. The cigar boasts a velvety Connecticut wrapper and an elegant dual-band design, contributing to its aesthetic appeal. While the smoking experience reveals a flavor evolution from cedar to wood, accompanied by consistent vanilla sweetness and a transition from white to black pepper, some users might find it leaves the throat dry. However, its intriguing flavors and medium strength make it a worthy purchase for special occasions despite its higher price point, presenting a potential drawback for everyday smoking. If you want to indulge in a sophisticated, well-constructed cigar, the AJ Fernandez La Gran Llave Connecticut Toro might be the perfect choice for your next celebration.
La Herencia Cubana Toro
The La Herencia Cubana Toro cigar, originating from Nicaragua, is known for its striking dark, leathery wrapper, and robust flavor profile, highlighted by dominant black pepper and Nicaraguan tobacco notes. This full-strength cigar offers an intense smoking experience, particularly appealing to those who prefer bold, strong flavors. Despite its high-quality construction, some smokers might find the lack of flavor complexity and the cigar’s drying effect less appealing. While the La Herencia Cubana Toro is recommended for enthusiasts inclined towards potent flavors, it may prove overwhelming for beginners or those who prefer medium-strength cigars.
