AJ Fernandez, New World Navegante Robusto and Gobernador toro

I bought a box of the Robusto in February 2021 and a box of the Toro in June 2022. All entries before June 2022 are Robusto.

1. February 24th, 2021

This is a lightly packed, not too oily maduro wrapped, box pressed robusto with an extra half inch from the standard five. Flavour was maduro-earthy but deep and complex. Aroma rich and sometimes floral. Draw was easy. Burn was perfect. Finish long. Body full. Strength hitting the full tones. A very satisfying 70 minutes.

Construction: A well-made robusto-extra cigar, 5.5 x 55. It is box pressed so it's difficult to gauge the ring gauge. The cigar is light weight and loosely packed but not lacking in substance.

Draw: very easy draw. Volumes of smoke.

Burn: perfect burn. No touch-ups required. 

Flavour: earthy chocolatey maduro flavour, almost dirty flavour.

Body: Full body from the outset.

Strength: Moments of strength otherwise medium.

Finish: Adequate but not as long as I would prefer.

Aroma: Excellent aroma, bordering on floral, exhibiting all of the qualities of a complex blend.

Consistency: But for the occasional fluctuations of strength (which could have be me backing off for a few minutes) a consistently good cigar.

Time smoke: 70 leisurely minutes  

Overall: Very satisfying; impressive complexity in both flavour, despite the dirty taste, and aroma.

2. March 22nd, 2021 Another excellent selection from the box. Light weight, easy draw, almost perfect burn, plenty of smoke, but despite that lack of resistance, the cigar lasted around 85 minutes. The flavour was as with the first: earthy, woody, chocolatey, maduro. It opened with a spice blast which died down and returned in the final third. Finish was much longer than the first sample, allowing for the longer duration. Aroma was pleasantly rich, but could have been richer. Strength built nicely to full body. Overall, this was a very satisfying, complex and well-balanced cigar which I smoked to the very nub.

3. May 3rd, 2021 Perfect in every way: draw, just enough resistance; burn straight needing no correction; flavour and aroma both deep, complex, rich and balanced. Medium strength and body. 90 minutes. Very satisfying. 

4. 27th May: Another fine example of this blend: a bold pepper kick-off, then a little mild during the first third, but building in strength and flavour throughout, culminating in a strong, full body.  There was a little pocket of emptiness in the second half, but flavour was soon restored. There was a development to full body in the final third with a good punch of strength. Beautiful construction and easy draw with 'just the right amount of resistance' as I mentioned above. 85 minutes. Very satisfying.

5. 14th June, 2021: Much as above in terms of rich flavour, easy draw, medium body and delicious, long finish. Flavour was a little milder than previous cigars and no culmination in full body. It was medium at best. There was not much spice. The final third was lacking in richness. The finish - or aftertaste - was one of the most sustaining qualities of this cigar. It was a very pleasant maduro flavour, with a hint of sweet black tea. Aroma was good throughout. 85 min - Quite satisfying.

6. August 26th, 2021. One of my favourites, for good reason. The cigar is smooth, mellow, rich, complex, never strong, clean finish, medium bodied, easy draw, perfect burn and complex aroma. All of this in a 5.5 inch cigar that lasted 80 minutes. Very satisfying to the nub.

7. October 13th, 2021. This one was a bit disappointing. If started off well, with excellent, complex flavour, as described above, perfect burn and easy draw. But after one inch flavour started to dissipate and complexity waned. There were still patches of rich flavour and intense aroma throughout. But in the main, the cigar was a bit lacking. Nonetheless I smoked it to the nub. 78 minutes. Pleasant. 

8. November 25th, 2021: Another mediocre cigar. First puffs were rich and spicy, but that soon mellowed to a smoother, more cocoa-like flavour with a slight taste of black tea. This was quite pleasant, rich and complex. In some ways, it was similar to the Lotano Oval Robusto, but more complex.  But the final third was a let down: body and complexity were lacking with the black tea flavour dominating. Draw and burn were faultless. Pleasant, but not satisfying. 85 minutes. 

9. January 19th, 2022: This cigar was excellent, just like 3, 4, 5 and 6 above. Strong peppery start, very smooth, complex, dark roast, middle section, a nice level of strength, excellent aroma, easy draw and more than 70 minutes burn time. Very satisfying, despite being one of the shorter burn times. 

10. February 21st, 2022: Another delicious example of balance and complexity. Not a harsh moment. Flavour was consistent throughout. Excellent, rich aroma which was ever present, not just coming and going. Strength was perfect: just enough to be interesting and add body while never overwhelming. Full body throughout. 80 minutes. Very satisfying. 

11. May 26th, 2022: Very satisfying: smooth, creamy, full bodied, well balanced, excellent aroma and aftertaste. Flavour was at the medium to dark roast level, but deliciously complex.  Draw and burn were excellent. Close to 90 minutes. Very satisfying.

1. June 8th, 2022 Toro: At six and a half inches, the Gobernador Toro is one inch longer than its Robusto cousin. It began with the same easy draw, voluminous plume and steady burn. Flavour, body and complexity all began similar to that of the robusto. Flavour was a dark chocolately, earthy, spicy, complexity with a nice twang in the aftertaste.The only difference from the robusto would have been a slightly weak spot in the middle of the cigar, where flavour diminished for a while and strength seemed a bit unbalanced. 

Aroma throughout was excellent: strong and rich. At 100 minutes I started to get a bit bored with the cigar, but that might have been a result of the oppressive June evening heat. Nonetheless, this was an excellent cigar. Satisfying.

At the one hour mark:

June 22nd, 2022 Toro: This cigar began wonderfully, with a full, rich, complex explosion that was sustained for the first two thirds. The final third lost that flavour and complexity. It was more a monodimensional vegetal flavour, lacking the chocolatey, coffee flavour. Draw and burn were excellent. Despite the detraction of the final third, I puffed on for nearly two hours. 110 minutes, quite satisfying. But the Robusto is probably a better vitola for this brand.  

July 4th, 2022, Naxos: Can't remember whether this was the Toro or the Robusto. But it was consistently delicious, so probably the robusto. Satisfying, but the wind on Naxos was a detraction. (Yes, it was the Robusto.) 

July 27th 2022, Toro. Less flavour than the robusto but still quite enjoyable. Around 95 minutes. Quite satisfying.

August 13th, 2022. Robusto: After a dud Joya Antano Belicoso I tried a New World Robusto, confident that it would be good. It was a bit of a mistake. The flavour of the Joya was still in the mouth, making it difficult to appreciate the New World. That should be a lesson. The palate needs time to reconstitute. I should have cut loss and not wasted the New World. Needless to say, I didn't taste much. 

August 27th, 2022: Toro - First third quite palatable, although not rich or complex, but by the second half, flavour dissipated to burnt toast. It was slightly resistant until the final third, but even after having opened up, it was still boring. 90 minutes. Not satisfying.

February 20th, 2023: Robusto: Quite mild for the first third. At two years in storage it seemed as though the cigar was losing a bit of its mojo. But flavour and body picked up by the middle of the cigar and I smoked it almost to the nub. 80 minutes. Quite satisyfing.

Mild in the first third but quite tasty to the end

March 29th, 2023: Robusto: A superb example of the blend: rich, consistent, great aroma, easy draw, perfect burn. Very satisfying. 90 minutes.

June 26th, 2023: Robusto Another excellent example of the blend: as above, rich, sweet and dark, complex flavour and aroma. Full body throughout. Burn was a bit wonky, but self corrected. Very satisfying around 75 minutes.

Alec Bradley Black Market Esteli Gordo

1. 21st November 2020

Arrived today and I couldn't resist trying one straight from the box, without the discipline of letting them rest in the humidor. I was not disappointed.

Gordo 6 X 60

Made in Nicaragua with Nicaraguan wrapper and filler and a double binder: Nicaragua and Honduras.

I bought this box, inspired by Phil Kohn's praise for the blend:

"The Alec Bradley Black Market Estelí has the pizazz that the original did not have. Complexity arrives shortly after lighting up and I find that the blend travels into the land of all things balanced and smooth. There are no sharp edges to this cigar blend. Shaved cleanly and effortlessly into an appealing appropriation of stone cold “I could put this into my rotation easily.”"

Eloquently put: I agree entirely, 'balanced and smooth' but with delicious complexity.

"While the blend is nearly a Nica puro, I believe the Honduran accent broadens the usual suspects of flavor components giving the blend a nice texture that allows for a variation on a theme. I believe without the Honduran influence, this blend may have been nothing special."

Cigardojo:

"Black Market Esteli just keeps getting better. The intensity of the licorice as this cigar closes is remarkable. The nub is firm and cool, even after a couple clips to keep the draw going. Strength is still perfectly balanced (medium), while flavor and body are both intensely strong. The finish on this thing lasts for EVER."

I found the opposite: flavour and body were a good medium while strength built nicely.

Dry aroma: slightly sweet and leather. Dry aroma almost disappeared shortly after removing the cellophane.

Appearance: I nice deep brown wrapper. The 6 X 60 is an impressive stogie, large in the hand but not dense. The extensive paper wrapper is a bit silly. But I guess it would add a little protection if you take these travelling.

Draw: A bit of resistance. Not the easiest draw. But smoke output was not an issue.

Aroma: Very fine, complex, intense.

Flavour: A delicious, complex Esteli flavour, very smooth and chocolatey; nothing harsh. No pepper. A bit of spice at the end. But otherwise, smooth.

Burn: A minor touch up. No relights.

Complexity: Rich and complex. 

Body and finish: Medium, medium finish.

Strength: Some nice wafts of strength to slow the tempo, as I sat waiting for my head to stop floating.

Time: 105 minutes.

Conclusion: Very satisfying.

2. December 28th, 2020

After five weeks, I tried a second sample from the box. The cigar was nicely supple to the touch - not too dry, not too moist. Good. The dry aroma was somewhat vinegary - white wine vinegar. Not appealing. I lit up. Draw was a bit tight. Flavour was understated, nothing overwhelming; woody, leathery. Everything was medium: strength, body, finish; quite pleasant without much complexity. At around the half way mark, after forty five minutes, intensity and complexity picked up substantially. Draw was still tight. But finish lengthened and the pace slowed as I savoured each puff. The cigar still showed a little vegetal rawness, suggesting that a few months of incubation could improve the profile. Despite that tinge of bitterness, the second half was quite, rich, complex and satisfying, down to the nub. 

I planned to listen to a lecture by eminent neuroendocrinologisty, Robert Sapolsky. But I wasn't quite in the mood. I had been listening to Benjamin Britten's second string quartet all day, off and on, and I couldn't resist another dose. I listened and watched, attentively, to the Castalian Quartet, playing in Wigmore Hall, where the quartet had premiered, seventy four years ago. 

https://youtu.be/Xf6ViavmhVw

This is a marvelous work with a hauntingly beautiful introduction and a hauntingly profound finale, the final few bars of which are stuck in my head.

I spent the next hour watching Sapolsky, the profundity of the Britten pairing effectively with that of the great scientist. Sapolsky has a virtuosic manner of presentation: clear, precise, structured and ultimately, profound.

https://youtu.be/2bnSY4L3V8s

3.February 10th: Complexity develops after six weeks of incubation. The 'vegetal rawness' of the previous selection, has diminished. We have a definite improvement in complexity and flavour. There were still a few reminders of the deficiency of the previous cigar, but they were minimal. Draw was still a bit tight; resistance was more than I would prefer, but the upside is a very solid stogie, with richness attended by a well-filled cigar. Body alternated between medium and full, strength also slid up and down the scale with a few moments whereby I had to put the cigar down and recover my comfort, but nothing causing sweat or discomfort. At its best, this was a very fine cigar with oils coming to the surface in the final third. Verdict: rich and satisfying with promise of improvement in a few months. 105 minutes.

Podcast: I listened to a very intelligent conversation with Megan Kelly interviewing first Laurence Tribe and, after that, Allan Dershowitz on the legal merits of the second Trump impeachment. The controversy turned on whether or not Trump was guilty of incitement; Tribe arguing for and Dershowitz against. But the most interesting discussion was that by Dershowitz defending First Amendment speech and, more importantly, the right of lawyers to make the argument based on the First Amendment. The arguments were balanced and well reasoned. It was a pleasure to listen.

4. May 5th, 2021: Slightly vegetal and bitter in the first third, smoothed out by the halfway mark to a more balanced and mellow flavour. I was expecting more improvement after a few months, but this didn't occur; there was really not much change from the February cigar. (Similar to the Rocky Patel Grand Reserve.) Medium to full body in the second half. Pepper and strength build towards the end. Draw: a bit of resistance, but not too much. Aroma: pleasant and occasionally rich but not quite there. Overall, quite satisfying. 100 minutes to the nub.

Podcast: Peter Attia talking with Paul Offit about the safety and efficacy of the four types of covid vaccines. This was an intense podcast full of detailed information. In particular, that the RNA vaccines don't enter the cell nucleus and there cannot alter the cell's DNA; the protein triggered by the vaccines is made in the cytoplasm outside the nucleus. The prospect of long term side effects of the vaccine is remote given the rapid decay of RNA in the cell and the observation that all vaccine history indicates that side effects occur within the first few days or weeks. Offit suggests that the mutability of covid is somewhere between flu - highly mutable and measles - not very mutable. So we should be able to determine within a year or two how durable the current vaccines are and whether boosters would be required. Definitely worth listening.

5. 12th June, 2021. Excellent flavour, body, balance but too strong at the end. Flavour was milky chocolate. There was nothing vegetal or bitter, except a bit towards the end. Body was full from the outset; finish was long. The overall balance was pleasing. 

The cigar was quite moist and spongy but this didn't inhibit draw, nor did it detract from the flavour. Resistance was a little more than desirable, requiring two or three puffs to get the flow of smoke moving, but I had found this quality in all of the samples from the box. 

Aroma good and complex. 

Overall, this cigar was indeed an improvement over the previous sample with the exception of a little too much strength towards the end. I left it at 85 minutes. Very satisfying.

Podcast: I listened to Brett Weinstein and Pierre Kory on the virtues of Ivermectin in treating and preventing Covid. The discussion of how Big Tech have maintained an authoritarian stance on science and stifled debate was interesting, given how overwhelming the evidence is for the efficacy of Ivermectin. The same observation appliies to the debate over whether or not Covid emerged from the wild or a lab: despite the fact that there is no concrete evidence for either, the lab leak hypothesis was pilloried for about a year. Then it wasn't. What does this tell us about the authoritarian nature of Big Tech science?

As to Ivermectin, my own experience as a goat farmer contradicts the enthusiasm with which Brett and Pierre hold for the drug as a pandemic ender. The very safety of the drug was its own worst enemy in the case of goat farming. Ivermectin, according to the text on goat medicine, can be dosed at 20 times the recommended dosage without causing toxicity. It has therefore been given willy nilly by rustic goat farmers, without much concern for dosage. The result is that the most pernicious goat worm, haemonchus contortus, otherwise know as Barber Pole worm, is resistant to the drug. My concern is that, if ivermectin were given universally around the world, to 8 billion people, the virus would soon become resistant to it. I don't see Ivermectin as a long term solution to a virus that will likely remain with us forever.

November 10th, 2021: Delicious, mellow, refined, balanced, medium roast flavour which continued with a medium body for the first half of the cigar. There was nothing vegetal. After a year, the cigar had mellowed out nicely - at least for the first half. Aroma was light and rich. Finish/aftertaste was complex and long lasting, making for satisfying moments of contemplation and savouring the aroma.

The cigar is a beauty.

If the cigar had continued like that to the nub, it would have been a marvellous cigar. But shortly after the beginning of the final third, at around 70 minutes, strength ramped up dramatically. I could feel a lightheadedness, took another puff or two and it was a kick in the stomach. I broke into a sweat. The strength of the puff I had taken ten minutes ago began to hit me. There was nothing I could do but sit and wait for the nausea and dizziness to pass, which did within a few minutes. I took a few more puffs but strength was still there. I decided to abandon the cigar with two inches to go. Wise decision. Nonetheless, the cigar lasted a good 80 minutes.

Construction suffered a defect. After smoking a while I noticed that the wrapper was cracked. Quite likely this had occurred while removing the gimmicky large paper band as the cigar was not too dry. As a result the wrapper produced a large fissure which increased in size with time. Surprisingly, this defect did not inhibit draw. It was just unsightly. I could have continued to the nub. But strength began to overwhelm and I wisely abandoned the strength bomb at the two inch mark, drank a large glass of water to replenish the sweat and slept well that night.

Overall, it was a delicious cigar. I could taste its sweetness lingering in my mouth the next day and it was not a dirty taste. After a year, I guess that the strength was particular to this particular sample. I doubt that others in the box would be so overpowering. Let's see. I'll be tempted to revisit this brand soon. 

Conclusion: quite satisfying. 

This crack in the wrapper was not the major defect. The sudden explosion of strength at the commencement of the final third was a greater inhibition. I wisely abandoned the cigar not long after taking this picture.

 

November 4th, 2023. I returned to this cigar after two years. It was pretty good. Flavour was deep, rich and full bodied throughout. There was no overwhelming strength. After about the first inch flavour started to go bitter. Oh dear. But not for long. After a few minutes, the bitterness subsided and the rest of the cigar was a very fine, mellow but rich and complex flavour. Draw was a bit resistant, but not too bad. I puffed on the cigar for two hours. Very satisfying. 

Oliva Series V Melanio Torpedo

6.5 x 52 box pressed torpedo: The first one was unbalanced: too mild in flavour but overwhelmingly strong. The subsequent cigars were all mellow, medium roast, toasty aroma, well constructed and quite satisfying. 

February 6th, 2021: This was a disappointing first dip into the batch. My expectations were high, given the exquisite packaging and a very enjoyable Series V Liga Especial, which was densely packed and richly flavourful. Flavour in this cigar was pleasant but thin. The cigar was quite lightly packed and it took a lot of puffing to get much flavour. On the other hand, it was quite strong at the end. Mild flavour and strength are fatal combination; by the halfway mark I felt my gut lurching and at 1am I awoke with a nasty dyspeptic grumble, reminiscent of the AJ Fernandez San Lotano Oval Gordo (but not the robusto).

Lovely looking cigar but didn't live up to its appearance and packing

Construction: Ecuadorian Sumatra seed wrapper, not a bit oily, Jalapa filler. Seems to be quite a bit of ligero. The cigar was light in the hand and loosely packed. 

Draw: Easy draw, not enough resistance, requiring too much effort to get adequate smoke production.

Flavour: Flavour a bit lacking; there was an element of burnt toast. Mild to medium.

Aroma: Aroma was pleasant and quite rich. 

Consistency: Flavour was quite consistent throughout, a little peppery towards the end, but nothing substantial. 

Burn: No complaints. Burn was even throughout.

Finish: Inadequate. This is perhaps the major criticism. Not enough satisfaction to put the cigar down for a minute or two. 

Body: Mild to medium

Strength: Building throughout and quite strong at the end. I could feel my head spinning.

Time smoke: Only 70 minutes - compare the 100 minutes for the AJF Nica Puro Especial two days later which was 6.5x 52 - almost the same size. 

Overall: Disappointing. Unbalanced; too much strength for a mild to medium flavour, not enough filler, compared to the Series V (sans Melanio). Let's give it another month or two and revisit. 

2. April 28th, 2021: The brand is redeemed by a mellow, balanced and flavourful offering with a rich complex aroma. 

After a twelve week hiatus, I returned, gingerly, to this brand, reluctant to waste another evening's cigar meditation on a dud. But this cigar, which had been sitting in one of my humidors, was a vast improvement over the specimen of February last. It was smooth, balanced and mellow, with a gradually growing strength but not at all overwhelming. Flavour was much fuller than that of the previous iteration. The cigar started mild to medium in body and worked up to medium to full. Flavour was at times sweet, at times minty but always smooth and mellow.

The aroma was one of the most remarkable features. It was a deep, rich, complex fragrance which could easily rival a Cuban. Aroma is often a neglected features of cigar reviews. However, I would suggest that the olfactory counts as much as the gustatory. This was a cigar to prove that point. Much of the pleasure of this cigar came from the aroma. I could sit between puffs and enjoy its pungent, complexity. At a few junctures throughout the cigar, grand plumes of spicy fragrance exploded on the nose. At other times, the aroma was rich and satisfying.

Draw had a little resistance but burn was almost razor sharp.  

Total smoking time was 100 minutes; much longer than the previous cigar due, no doubt, to the much improved long finish. 

Overall: Much satisfying.

After almost one hour - a very leisurely smoke

3. September 22nd, 2021: First half pleasant, second half intense. This cigar started off with a very smooth, medium bodied, light roast coffee flavour, much like the Joya Antano Churchill of a few days before and, much like the Antano Churchill, it developed into a full bodied, almost strong cigar in the second half. Like the Antano, there was little if any pepper. If there was a difference it would be in the aroma, which, in the case of the Melanio, was perhaps richer but just as complex. I'd like to try these two again, closer in time, to make a better comparison. Quite satisfying. 95 minutes. 

4. February 12th, 2022: Profile much like that of September 22nd, although I would say medium roast. Development was similar, from mild to medium bodied to more full bodied in the second half. Aroma was an excellent toasty fragrance. As I have commented above, it's one of the outstanding features of this cigar. As to the difference between Serie V simplicter and the Melanio, I would say the main difference is in the first half, which is lighter and smoother than the Serie V, which can be a bit bitter at times. The transition from mild-medium to full body is more pronounced. But the rich aroma is very similar. 

Burn was even. Draw was a little resistant, but not too much. Smoking time was 80 minutes. Quite satisfying, but the first half was a little too mild for a 'very satisfying' rating.

The wrapper is a beautiful mottled Ecuadorian Sumatra

At the one hour mark: managed to squeeze out another 20 minutes.

5. August 11th, 2022. Smooth, medium bodied, easy draw, consistent, no transitions, no perceptible increase in body or strength. Aroma was pleasant; not quite rich. Quite satisfying, 90 minutes. 

6. February 25th, 2023. This one did build in body and strength in the final third. The first two thirds were mild, easy to draw, sharp burn, but the final third built up to medium body. I smoked it to the nub. It was quite satisfying. 90 minutes.

7. Monday September 25, 2023: Similar to number 5, above: medium body throughout, easy draw, but a bit insipid. Despite the easy draw, it lasted a good 90 minutes, which made it quite satisfying. 

AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro

1. October 25th,2020. A very interesting cigar, beautifully constructed and consistently good.

All Nicaraguan

Toro: 6.5 x 52

Dry aroma: Initially, it smelled somewhat like a Maduro cigar: woody, leathery. But there is something else which is also unpleasant, industrial. I can't put my finger on it. After a few weeks out of the cellophane the strange dry aroma has given way to a sweet maduro leather.

Appearance: Beautiful construction, smooth and seamless. The wrapper is dry. There is no oily sheen. 

Draw: The cigar has a very easy, effortless draw. It almost makes me suspect that the cigar is lightly packed and will draw down to the nub in thirty minutes. But that was not so. Despite its easy draw, the cigar lasted around 90 minutes. I managed 110 minutes in another stick.

Aroma: The initial aroma was phenomenal. It was one of the most rich and delicious aromas I can recall from a cigar. Aroma is a difficult quality. After a few puffs it's difficult to detect the aroma as one does from the initial light or as one does as a passive observer. It's like coffee; once you start drinking coffee it's difficult to sense the aroma.

Flavour: At a blind tasting I would have identified the cigar as a Maduro. That really sums up the flavours: leathery, woody. A bit thin in the early samples, developing after a few weeks (see below). But still quite tasty. Finish was pleasantly long.

Burn: A minor touch up within the ten or fifteen minutes. But that could have been as much to do with my sloppy lighting. After that, wavy but evened out.

Body: Medium, with occasional bursts of fullness. But otherwise, nothing overwhelming.

Conclusion: I look forward to smoking this again. It's was an interesting and enjoyable 90 minute session.

2. November 4th: Ten days later, I selected a stick which appeared a little oilier and lighter in colour than the others. First observation: the maduro quality of the first sample was not present. The leathery aroma was not present. Instead, the flavour was much more similar to the Alec Bradley Nica Puro. Everything else was the same: medium body, excellent draw, burn and construction. Strength ramped up and dissipated deliciously.

3.November 18th: 110 minutes, almost perfect all the way. Started off with a pepper blast, then smoothed out to a more creamy flavour. Strength built throughout. Second half was too strong for the wife. Too much pepper. She turned up her nose. But I really enjoyed the accumulation of strength and spice. A few minor touchups. Difficult to bid farewell to the nub. It was solidly good. 

4. December 30th, 2020

The first half was a little mild: woody, slightly sweet maduro flavour with good aroma but not much complexity and none of the creaminess of the previous sample. Finish was a bit too short for enjoyment. The second half saw flavour increase. Body and strength still tottering around the medium mark but flavour and complexity increased with just a little pepper approaching the end. Nub became too delicious to put down. Burn was consistent; no touch-up required. Draw was easy. Didn't get too hot towards the nub. Smoking time was closer to the first sample at 85 minutes.

5. February 8th, 2021

I've been keeping my humidor on the moist side, so I selected a cigar that was firm. It was well packed and had a bit of weight to it. The dry aroma was leathery and spicy. A deep snort sent me sneezing. The initial light-up was strong and peppery, perhaps a little bitter and tarry. That settled down and most of the cigar was balanced and tasty; full bodied and full flavoured, occasionally sweet, with lasting finish. Strength built up towards the end and flavour dissipated a bit towards bitterness in the final third, recovering at the nub. A little more ageing might benefit. Burn was impeccably even throughout. Overall, quite satisfying.

A deep maduro wrapper, not oily, 6.5 x 52, solidly packed but easy on the draw.

6. April 12th, 2021: Rich, full bodied, strong, complex, creamy, balanced, smooth, perfect burn, a bit of resistance in the draw, but nothing to impede excellent smoke production. Deep, rich, complex aroma. Occasionally sweet flavour. Strong and peppery at the opening and at the end. No bitterness. Strength occasionally bordering on the very strong, but balancing out after a few puffs. 105 minutes. Complexity improved much over the last two months. Very satisfying.

7. June 5th: This cigar cracked at the head as soon as I lighted it - or possibly before, but certainly not when I took it from the humidor. I think it was too moist at the head and the moisture caused exfoliation. This is the we season now. Ambient humidity is around 80-90% much of the time and so it is a challenge to main optimal humidity - more so than in the dry season. Despite this defect, for which I take responsibility, the cigar was excellent: it manifested the same rich, full bodied, strong, complex, creamy, peppery, smooth profile as that of April 12th with not a hint of bitterness. 

It was strong with long finish, spinning my head every few minutes so that I had to put it down and wait for the air to clear. But this was by no means unpleasant. On the contrary, it's one of the qualities one enjoys in a full bodied, strong cigar - the need to pace the process. 

Aroma was rich and complex throughout. As I've mentioned before, aroma is one of the essential qualities of a good cigar. It was most enjoyable to sit back in a daze and enjoy the ambient aroma while the nicotine dissipated. 80 minutes of bliss. Very satisfying. 

8. August 16th: This is one of my favourites for good reason: it's consistently delicious and well balanced. This cigar was no exception. Very sweet pre-light aroma - almost perfumed. The cigar was a bit dry with a little scuffing of the wrapper at the foot and a few slight cracks also near the foot. Neither of these minor defects inhibited the perfect burn or the excellent flavour. No cracks appeared during smoking, so I guess humidity was close to optimal but on the dry side. 

The flavour was almost maduro with a light sprinkling of pepper. But the flavour was much richer and more complex than mere maduro. Body was medium to full. Complexity increased by the second half. Aroma was deep and rich. Ash was pure white. Finish was medium and a bit dirty towards the end as tars built up; but nothing offensive. Strength approached the high level, requiring the occasional pause, but nothing overwhelming.

The only defect was a tight draw. But the extra work in puffing was rewarded with almost 90 minutes of consistent and balanced flavour. Very satisfying.

A very clean white ash

9. October 4th: 

Pre-light: a crack around the triple cap and a slight crack in the wrapper while smoking, but nothing that impaired smoking.

Draw: a little resistant but not plugged; still good smoke production.

Burn: a little wavy but no need for touch up.

Flavour: excellent, smooth, peppery, dark roast, complex, leathery

Body: full body throughout, complemented by dark roast, pepper and a bit of strength

Strength: quite strong but not overwhelming.

Balance: strength, body and flavour nicely balanced.

Finish: long finish, allowed for long intervals in the ash tray between puffs.

After taste: a bit dirty, tarry. 

Time: 105 minutes.

Overall: satisfying

10. March 7th, 2022: After more than a year in the humidor, the cellophane was tinted yellow. The cigar was rather firm to the touch. The first third was mellow and delicious but full bodied. As the cigar progressed, the dark roast flavour gained a burnt toast component with a dirty finish. Pepper was pronounced in the final third. Overall, quite satisfying, but ended a bit dirty. 95 minutes. Reading the review of October last year, I would say that the cigar today quite faithfully reproduced the former.

11. June 1st, 2022: Balanced, full bodied, dark roast, spicy, almost perfect burn. Burnt toast developed somewhat during the second half, but wasn't dirty, unlike the cigar of March 7th above, and the Short Churchill of this brand a few days ago. The cigar was strong, but not too strong. Overall this was a very balanced version of the brand. Very satisfying. 2 hours.

At the one hour point. Well balanced: strong, spicy, full bodied but not dirty. 

12. August 9th, 2022: Delicious, complex, balanced first half with a complexity including sweetness, pepper, dark roast coffee and without bitterness. During the second half flavour somewhat skewed to the pepper and dark roast. I've described it as burnt toast above. I wouldn't say burnt in this case. But close. Body increased to full plus. The second half was less balanced and less enjoyable than the first half. The same could be said of the Short Churchill vitola of this brand. 

The cigar was heavy in the hand and well packed. Draw was a little resistant. It went out once. No big deal.

Overall, quite satisfying. 95 minutes. 

Excellent smooth, full bodied first half. 

Unbalanced in the second half with too much pepper and burnt toast. 

AJ Fernandez Enclave Figurado

1. November 27th 2020: What a beauty! Everything about this cigar was elegant: the appearance, the full flavour, the full body, the long finish, the moderate strength and the gradual build-up of spice towards to the nub. The origin of the components of the cigar are a little difficult to ascertain. But the consensus would appear to be Ecuadorian wrapper, Cameroon binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler; the best of four worlds.

The specifications:

Vitola: Figurado This is a Perfecto vitola, thicker at the head and tapering to its uncircumcised foot.

Size: 6.5 x 52

Wrapper: a light brown, chocolatey, slightly oily, somewhat rough appearance.

According to JR Cigars (JR) the wrapper is a Habano Rosado EMS, which, according to Cigar Aficionado (CA), refers to English Market Selection: "Abbreviated EMS, a term used to designate a natural color wrapper, not claro or lighter shades, nor maduro or darker shades. 

Neptune: Ecuadorian Habano

Binder Nicaragua (JR) Cameroon (Neptune)

Filler  The AJ Fernandez website is somewhat vague on the nature of the filler, labeling it merely as 'Nicaraguan'. But according to other websites, the filler is Pilato Cubano, which according to CA, is "Cuban-seed tobacco grown in the Dominican Republic." Famous smoke confirms the Dominican element: "Using a Dominican-Nicaraguan core, Cameroon binder, and a Habano Rosado wrapper". 

So it would appear that part of the flavour profile is Dominican, which would explain a lot of the juiciness of this cigar. 

Origin: Nicaragua

Construction: Slightly rough. A few major veins. The second one had a beautiful mottled, slightly oily, dark wrapper, suggesting a little age.

Draw: Quite a bit of resistance; probably more than desirable, but not a hindrance.

Flavour: Complex and balanced. 

Aroma: Delicious

 

Consistency: good from start to the nub

Burn: even, despite canoeing at the outset, no relights

Finish: long and tasty

Body: medium-full to full

Strength: medium

Time smoke: 70 minutes

Overall: Very satisfying

2. December 21st 2020

It started with a little resistance and uneven burn, canoeing down one side, but magically, it evened out to a sharp, even burn. Flavour started out at good medium and built solidly, ending with a pepper blast and medium strength. Body was full throughout and finish was long and tasty. Overall, this was a very tasty, balanced cigar with complexity and delicious aroma. I look forward to the next one. 

3. February 3rd, 2021: Delicious, even burning, a bit tight to the draw in the first half but opened up nicely in the second half. Zesty flavour, full body, long finish, rich aroma were all excellent throughout; a very consistent and satisfying cigar. 100 leisurely minutes.

4. March 29th, 2021: This is probably one of the most balanced cigars in my collection. Everything is balanced: flavour, finish, strength, body, razor sharp burn, aroma, complexity - you name it. It is difficult to find fault with this gem. Strength, in particular, is just enough to add body without being overwhelming at any time. 92 minutes to the nub. 

During this cigar, I listened to Brad Harris's 'Context' podcast wherein he reviewed Allan Bloom's book, The Closing of the American Mind. Harris is remarkably eloquent. Every sentence is well considered and to the point. He ably made the case for Bloom's treatise: that relativism is destructive to the Enlightenment ideals of 'openness' to the best ideas by the destructive idea that all ideas are equally good. Harris makes a good case for the claim that the University is responsible for advancing the best ideas in history and that it is failing that task with its descent in post modernism. His treatment of Nietzsche is exceptional. He describes Nietzsche's idea that 'God is dead' as an appeal against nihilism, not a plea for it; and the need for spiritualism which, according to Harris, Bloom claims should be found in the best of art, philosophy, literature and history. I would add music. This was a very fine intellectual pairing with a smooth, rich, - and above all - balanced cigar; one of the best in my collection.  

5. May 8th, 2021. Sublime. This is a very satisfying cigar: balanced and complex. It begins in the mild to medium bodied category. The Dominican blend adds a savoury quality that we can't find in Nicaraguan puros and makes for a very mellow mixture. There is a hint of pepper which grows to dominance. If you are one who relishes transitions, this is a cigar for you: it starts out mild to medium and progresses to full bodied, spicy, strong by the final third. Draw encountered a little resistance but nothing prohibitive. Burn was almost perfect. This cigar was a little light in the hand and lasted barely 70 minutes. But it was delicious to the nub. 

Podcast: listened to John Gutmann talking to Megyn Kelly (Ep.99) about the fall of a prestigious New York school to woke ideologues. Parents were required to attend two 'anti-racist' Zoom meetings and sign a pledge. Sobering stuff.

6. June 2nd, 2021. Flavour was a little muted in this cigar, otherwise the same profile as I discussed above, on May 8th: begins mild to medium and builds up to a full bodied pepper bomb. Flavour was muted in first third but picked up by the middle of the cigar, with some very creamy, smooth hints of milk chocolate. The final third was dominated by pepper. Strength developed throughout to become 'rather strong' at the end. One minor touch-up required. 85 minutes - but I let it go out for a few minutes.

I listened to an interesting podcast on the Economist's 'The Jab' channel. The issue was whether the IP protecting vaccines should be relaxed during the pandemic. Deputy Editor, Ed Carr, argued persuasively that IP was not the rate determining step for vaccine production and distribution, but rather, that the supply chain was the issue in getting more vaccines to more people.  

7. June 21st, 2021. A delicious, spicy, earthy, rich, dry aroma greeted my nostrils pre-light, portending an excellent smoke. Indeed it was delicious throughout: balanced, rich and building from medium to full body, with a little zing of pepper building to very peppery in the last third. Strength built in the second half but was never overwhelming. Draw was perfect throughout. Construction was fine, but the head was rather thinly packed, becoming squishy in the final two inches, suggesting that it was time to abandon the nub. 100 minutes. Very satisfying.

One of the best samples from the box. Highly satisfying.

8. July 21st, 2021: Another fine example of this delicious blend. Especially delicious during the first few puffs as the ratio of wrapper to filler is higher. Otherwise, burn and draw perfect. I was keen to smoke this cigar a few days after the Oliva Serie V Figurado. They are quite similar, almost indistinguishable. Perhaps the Oliva is a bit richer. I didn't notice the peppery zing of the previous cigar. This one was much smoother. Nor did it reach full body. I would say a solid medium plus. 85 minutes. Very satisfying. 

9. August 30th, 2021: Perfect in every way. My friend, sitting next to me, commented on how beautiful the cigar looked. Draw and burn were excellent throughout. Aroma was fine. Flavour was consistently good. Pepper was moderate. Body was medium, perhaps above. Finish was clean. Strength didn't overpower. Just under 90 minutes. Very satisfying.

10. October 16th, 2021: The cigar started with a blast of smooth, rich flavour from the cone-shaped foot which is predominantly wrapper. Thereafter, flavour contained a hint of that delicious prelude, but it was somewhat muted compared to the first half-inch, with a slightly peppery, medium roast flavour. Much of the complexity was in the finish, which gave a delicious aftertaste, making it easy to put the cigar down and appreciate the fine aroma. Complexity petered out somewhat in the last third, becoming more peppery and more vegetal. I nonetheless smoked it to the nub. 

Construction was excellent: burn was razor sharp throughout and draw was easy with no great resistance. 78 minutes to the nub. Satisfying. 

11. November 24th, 2021: This is one was probably the most full bodied and strongest of the batch so far. The cigar began with a difficult draw until the nipple at the foot of the cigar was well passed. Draw opened up, after which, both draw and burn were fine. 

Flavour was excellent, rich and complex. Body was full, or medium to full in the first two thirds. The final third was quite strong; stronger than I remember for other members of the box. Pepper was dominant towards the end. 

Aroma wasn't outstanding. Finish was long with thick aftertaste.

Overall, a nicely balanced full bodied version of the blend. Very satisfying. 85 minutes to the nub.

A razor sharp burn at the one hour mark.

12. January 1st, 2022: Flavour a bit thin during the first half. Strength increased notably in the second third but did not not overwhelm. Flavour improved in the second half and became quite tasty, but nothing like the full bodied pepper bomb in November. Compared to the San Lotano Oval, which I smoked the day before, I'd say the San Lotano was better. No issues with draw or burn. Aroma not outstanding. 90 minutes. 

13. March 9th, 2022: A repeat of no. 10, above: started with a divine burst of flavour at the nipple (foot), developed into a solid medium plus throughout most of the cigar with complex flavour similar to the San Lotano Oval Robusto, but flavour tended to diminish into mainly peppery, vegetal emptiness in the final third. As with previous cigars of this blend one of the most satisfying elements was the aftertaste, which was rich and complex until the final third. Burn and draw were perfect. No strength to speak of. Body never reached the full level. Around 80 minutes. Quite satisfying. 

14. June 4th, 2022: Another fine example of the blend: rich and sweet as the nipple burned upon lighting. The first half was medium in body. Draw was a bit resistant throughout, requiring one or two puffs to generate a decent plume. Flavour was salty and peppery, medium roast, a bit woody, but always clean and balanced.. Body increased during the second half of the cigar. Aroma was rich and pleasing, although on the light side. 110 minutes. Very satisfying.

At the half hour mark

15. July 27th, 2022; very smooth, medium bodied cigar, increasing intensity in the second half. Easy draw and good burn. Body increased in the second half, but, as with other samples, flavour tended to diminish in the final third. Quite satisfying at around 80 minutes.

16. November 2022. Two years on and this cigar still pleases. Profile as with the cigar above: medium body throughout. July 27th. 90 minutes and very satisfying.

 

17. December 30th, 2022: Medium bodied, smooth, easy draw, consistent flavour and body throughout. This is an excellent cigar. 90 minutes and very satisfying. 

18. January 20th, 2023: Excellent, smooth cigar, starting medium body and building up both body and strength, but sufficiently smooth to smoke to the nub. Crazy dreams. Well preserved with two years in the humidor. Very satisfying.

19. July 10th, 2023: What a treat: delicious cool, medium bodied with developing strength and a bit of pepper in the final third, but never dirt or bitterness. 70 minutes and very satisfying.

20. August 28th, 2023: This one was a disappointment. Body never reached medium and the cigar didn't deliver flavour or much aroma. I put it out after 50 minutes. A dud. 

21. February 3rd, 2024: Strong, rich, full bodied. This cigar was quite an anomaly to the medium body of the blend. It was full bodied from the start. Draw and burn were excellent. Flavour was a lot more espresso than the usual chocolate. Strength started to overwhelm by about the final third. I let the cigar go with a good inch plus: head was swimming and sweaty. It was most enjoyable until the last couple of inches. Quite satisfying and 80 minutes. 

22. March 13th, 2024: Excellent example of the blend: started with the characteristic blast of wrapper flavour at the nipple. First third was mild to medium, smooth, no spice or pepper, building to a medium full bodied by the second half and quite spicy. Strength was moderate. Overall very satisfying at 90 minutes. 

23. May 4th, 2024: A tasty cigar but probably with a little bit of strength that manifested while sleeping - strange dreams. Otherwise, good burn and draw, started mild and worked up to medium body. Quite satisfying.