TOP AJ FERNANDEZ CIGARS

AJ Fernandez has become a powerhouse when it comes to cigars in Nicaragua over the past decade. The brand is named for its founder, Abdel Josef Fernandez, who got into cigar making through his father and a fascination with local tobacco farmers in his native Cuba.

AJ grew up learning about Cuban tobacco farming techniques, immersing himself in the cultivation and aging of premium tobaccos. In 2003, he moved to Estelí, Nicaragua, to work for his cousin, Nestor Plasencia of Plasencia Cigar. Today AJ manages multiple facilities and farms in Nicaragua and produces over 30 different brands while additionally blending for other companies such as Rocky Patel, Punch, Diesel, and a number of Cuban legacy blends such as Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta. His cigars continue to win praise from cigar critics and diehard connoisseurs time and time again. Let's take a look at just a few of his award winning creations. 

1.  New World

New World is by far the top AJ Fernandez cigar to start with. Its all Nicaraguan blend with a dark and oily oscuro wrapper leaf, is an excellent specimen of what AJ does best. He carefully blends meaty and spicy tobaccos that combine for a nice mix of sweet and earthy taste profiles. The "New World" is named for Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Caribbean in 1492 because the event led to the introduction of tobacco to Europe. The collection is rolled in bigger ring gauge shapes that deliver notes of espresso, dark chocolate, and earth with big, thick luscious aromas.

2.  New World Cameroon

A luxurious Cameroon wrapper leaf surrounds a beautiful, leathery interior of premium Nicaraguan long filler tobaccos. Although the blend is unusually medium to full "bodied" for a Cameroon wrapper, plenty of delicious nuances develop without overwhelming the palate. Notes of coffee, cocoa, and wood mingle before a nutty, slightly sweetened finish. A true take on an authentic Cameroon.

3.  AJ Fernandez Last Call

AJ Fernandez Last Call evolves with notes of red pepper, nuts, mesquite, and a hint of chocolate in a simple but noticeable smoke. Last Call earned 93 points by the critics at Cigar Aficionado. A nice brown Cuban seed wrapper grown in Ecuador conceals properly aged Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos delicious cigar at an exceptional value.

4.  AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro

A chocolate brown Brazilian Maduro wrapper embraces a blend of long fillers from San Andres and Nicaragua in this creation. Sweet notes of hickory, espresso, dark cocoa, and black pepper provide those seeking transitions a roller coaster ride of smoking excitement. 

5.  AJ Fernandez Last Call Maduro

AJ Fernandez Last Call Maduro is covered in an oily Pennsylvania Broadleaf wrapper and covers Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos grown on his farms. Notes of molasses and black pepper reveal a touch of sweetness in a well balanced format. Pennsylvania wrappers aren’t as common as other Maduros, but this blend is a solid introduction to the leaf. Last Call Maduro creates flavors that are earthy and sweet. Smoke clouds of its rich aroma rise into the air with ease thanks to the blend’s flawless construction.

6.  AJ Fernandez Enclave

A Cuban seed Rosado wrapper wrapped over a complex blend of Cameroon and Nicaraguan long fillers in a peppery and sweet profile. Tasting notes of baking spices, nutmeg, and fresh ground coffee meld together before a medium to full bodied finish lingers. AJ Fernandez Enclave is an excellent blend to smoke in each size if you want to taste the difference a cigar’s length makes, because each shape is rolled in an identical 52 ring gauge. Smoke a Churchill, a Robusto, and a Toro to find your favorite length. Yes size (in this case length) matters!

7.  AJ Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf

AJ Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf is crafted from an extra dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper and a blend of premium Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. Earthy and intense notes of dark chocolate, maple, leather, and wood leave a deep yet satisfying aftertaste on the palate just like a great dessert. The Enclave Broadleaf received a 93 point rating following its debut in Cigar Aficionado magazine.