The number 2 cigar on our list of the Top 25 Best Cigars is Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro.
Wrapper Origin: Nicaragua | Shape: Torpedo |
Length: 6 | Ring: 52 |
Color: Natural | List Price: $219 (Box of 20) |
Origin: Nicaragua | Strength: Full |
Cigar Aficionado Rating: 96
Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro is the masterpiece of A.J. Fernandez in Nicaragua from the original idea of Rafael Nodal. It is made up of the best possible blend of tobaccos that contains 100 percent Cuban seeds. This cigar is known for having the finest pedigree. Each roll of the cigar gives the cigar aficionado that strong concoction of espresso, nuts, white pepper, earth, spice, and topped with a particular tobacco sweetness.
This Nicaraguan blend is something you can taste from every leaf and each puff lends you the aroma and rich taste of dark chocolate and wood. Other times, it can be milder with the refined taste of caramel and a bit of toasted almonds.
Rafael Nodal came to the US shores as a Cuban refugee. He was one of those who crossed the seas on the infamous Mariel boat ride. Nodal started selling cigars online until he bought Habana Cuba Cigar Co. along with some partners. He eventually changed the company to Boutique Blends. The first Aging Room was created by José “Jochy” Blanco in the Dominican Republic. The cigars got a good rating from Cigar Aficionado and its Presto size earned the top 25 spot in 2011. That was Nodal’s first successful attempt, and he hasn’t stopped since then.
Aging Room is something that Nodal contributed to the cigar industry. Today there are many Aging Rooms made in various factories, but what could be Nodal’s crowning achievement is the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro created by Fernandez.
Many cigars claim to be firsts. Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro, on the other hand, has two firsts. It’s the first pure Nicaraguan in the Quattro line. It is also the first Quattro to be created outside the Dominican Republic. It is likened to a great balancing act between strength and body form. It is definitely a strong stick that can be appealing to the veteran cigar aficionados, but it can also be appealing to someone new who wants to go a notch higher.
The creation of the Aging Room may be Nodal’s breakthrough, but Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro is Fernandez’s masterpiece.