AJ Fernandez New World Cameroon Double Robusto

August 16th, 2022: I was expecting something milder, given my experience with the Oliva Serie G Churchill. The Oliva is quite a mild to medium cigar. The first AJ New World Cameroon that I tried from the box was anything but mild. It was medium bodied, as with other members of the New World brand, but it had quite a bit of strength - all in a balanced and satisfying way. 

Appearance and Construction: This is a 5.5 inch 55 gauge Nicaraguan binder and filler with a Cameroon Wrapper. It is box pressed and has quite a spicy pre-light aroma.

First Puff: Quite full flavoured, spicy and reminiscent of the New World.

Draw and Burn: Perfect draw and burn. 

Flavour and Complexity: Excellent, rich, quite complex, flavour reminiscent of the New World Navegante Robusto but with a slight Cameroon trace.

Body: Medium body throughout. Perhaps medium plus. 

Strength: Strength built quite substantially. It was quite a surprise, but it was balanced and added to the complexity of the cigar. 

Finish and Aftertaste: Good, spicy aftertaste

Aroma: Rich aroma

Ash: Ash held on quite well for 25-30 minutes initially, then 20 minute intervals. 

Balance and Consistency: Excellent balance of flavour, body and strength. 

Time smoke: 90 minutes

Overall: Very impressive. The cigar was almost indistinguishable from the vanilla New World. I had to pay attention to the fact that there was a Cameroon wrapper. A major difference was the building strength. Yes, I had a few crazy nicotine dreams. I often find the first cigar out of the box is strong. It will be interesting to see whether the next few samples are as strong. I hope so. Very satisfying. 

Excellent, 90 minute, medium plus body, full of flavour and a nice kick of strength.

August 22nd, 2022: Although less than a week had passed since my first dip into this box, I couldn't resist. Did I want to confirm my impressions from the week before or did I merely want a delicious cigar; or both. Anyway, it was delicious: a wonderful balance of good medium-roast flavour with a hint of Cameroon, medium to medium plus body, but no great spice content, excellent aroma albeit more subdued than the New World simpliciter; excellent aftertaste and perfect burn and draw. What more could one want? Very satisfying. 90 minutes - unusual for a robusto. 

At the half hour mark. This was a slow burning cigar. Aftertaste was so satisfying that one could leave the cigar for a few minutes, and it didn't go out.

August 29th, 2022: These are difficult to resist. Fortunately I have ordered a box of the Gordo size. This cigar was much the same as the previous with a remarkable burst of intense aroma around the final third which was so intense I had to move the cigar away. That didn't last long and the cigar ended with a loss of complexity by around the last inch. I left it there at 90 minutes. Very satisfying.

September 22nd: Another excellent example of the blend; slow burning, a good tinge of distinctive Cameroon flavour. It started medium and ended medium-plus. I left it at 90 minutes with quite a large nub. Very satisfying. 

November 11th, 2022: Similar to the previous: 90 minutes. Very satisfying full bodied, well balanced, easy draw, good aroma.

November 30th, 2022: Another very smooth, mellow, medium bodied with a a nice spicy start and easy draw. 90 minutes and good to the nub.

January 10th and February 2nd: Wonderfully smooth and mellow during the first half, with excellent aroma, but quite a bit of strength developing in the second half. The one I had last night (Feb 2nd) had quite a punch in the final third. Very satisfying around 80 - 90 minutes.

February 27th, 2023: No strength in this cigar: medium plus all the way. Excellent burn and draw; smooth, complex with fine aroma. 90 minutes. Very satisfying. 

March 27th, 2023: No great strength but wonderful complexity and flavour. Very satisfying. 90 minutes.

One of the tastiest AJ Fernandez offerings

September 28th, 2023. The last couple of these have been a bit lacking in flavour and body. Pleasant, at best and more like the Gordo, which was not as satisfying as the Double Robusto.

December 25th: Quite satisfying: complex throughout with perhaps a little diminution of body after the first inch, but the cigar soon recovered. Burn was a bit wonky and ash was spikey. 60 minutes. 

Punch Short de Punch

July 24th, 2022

This is an almost 5 x 50 robusto (4.75"). It is full bodied, smooth with developing strength.

Appearance and Construction: A mottled, medium dark wrapper which is thin enough to see the binder below, giving a slightly rough appearance.

First Puff: reveals a smooth, full bodied Cuban flavour.

Draw and Burn: Excellent throughout

Flavour and Complexity: Very rich and complex, yet not a hint of bitterness at any point. It was remarkable how the cigar hit the full flavour mark without veering into bitterness, as is the case with many Nicaraguans: the Oliva Serie V and the Tatuaje Fausto are two that come to mind.

Body: Full throughout 

Strength: Tolerable, not overwhelming, but building towards the end.

Finish and Aftertaste: long and smooth, no unpleasant residue

Aroma: rich

Ash: light and fell off easily

Balance and Consistency: One of the most balanced and consistently delicious full bodied Cubans I've tasted for a while; similar to the R&J Wide Churchill. 

Time smoke: 80 minutes

Overall: An excellent cigar full bodied robusto, clearly showing a quality that exceeds many of the similar Nicaraguan rivals in my collection. Very satisfying. 

Full body, smooth, balanced, consistent, no bitterness: very satisfying 80 minute robusto

January 26th, 2023: Draw was slightly difficult in the first half. By the second half of the cigar draw opened up. Body was medium to medium plus. First half of the cigar was pleasant but the second half was quite tasty. Aroma was modest. Quite satisfying. 75 minutes.  

July 11th, 2023: Heavy in the hand and a slightly sweet pre-light. Draw was a little tight in the first half, as with the previous cigar, however it opened up in the second half to provide plentiful plumes. Flavour was quite refined and balanced, albeit subtle and restrained: herbs and spices, mint, nutmeg, all subdued but pleasingly complex. This was a cigar that merited a slow and considered pace. Aroma came and went but was delicious, rich and complex when it was there, as it was in the second half. Body medium. Spice became peppery towards the end. 60 minutes and quite satisfying.

March 14th, 2024: A pleasant morsel with medium to full body and excellent aroma. Draw was a bit tight and flavour in the second half lost complexity, reminding me a bit of the dried fruit flavour of the Joya de Nicaragua Antano Churchill. Quite satisfying at 60 minutes.

June 13th: Another pleasant, medium body cigar with a fine, yeasty, aroma but complex and with good aroma. Quite a good example of the blend. 60 minutes. Satisfying. 

H. Upmann Connossieur no. 2

July 16, 2022: This is a 5.25 x 51 robusto. It resembles the Vegueros Centrofino in almost all respects (flavour, aromoa, body), except the purported ring gauge, which is 50 in the case of the Centrofino and supposedly 51 in the case of the Upmann. I doubt that a ring gauge of one, 1/64", can be measured with any accuracy, so I'm content to assume that these cigars come from the same source.

Another curiosity is the spelling of the 'Connossieur', which is a misspelling of the French 'connoisseur'. Yet, the name of the cigar is clearly seen on the band. 

Appearance and Construction: A very smooth, light brown wrapper. The cigar was not particularly heavy in the hand. But draw was resistant in the first two thirds. A one centimetre piece of leaf vein popped out towards the end of the cigar. 

First Puff: Difficult to obtain a first puff, but it was smooth and mild.

Draw and Burn: The cigar was slightly plugged. It wasn't too tightly wrapped as it was not heavy in the hand. Burn was fine. In the final third the cigar opened up and revealed its potential.

Flavour and Complexity: Once I managed to draw a sufficient plume the flavour was rich, and complex, resembling the Pinar del Rio flavour of the Centrofino. Occasionally, there were moments of a deeper richness.

Body: Body never passed medium. It was quite a light smoke.

Strength: None to speak of

Finish and Aftertaste: Long finish and very clean aftertaste.

Aroma: Delicious, rich, Cuban aroma

Ash: held on for 20 minutes or so.

Balance and Consistency: A very balanced, smooth, mellow, medium bodied Cuban.

Time smoke: around 65 minutes

Overall: Flavour and aroma were excellent; however the draw was a detraction until the final third. In terms of comparison with Centrofino, the cigar was almost identical. It will be interesting to try a few more Connosieurs and see whether the resemblance continues. If it does, the Centrofino is the preferred option as it's around 30% less expensive. 

Flavour, body, aroma and construction resemble the Vegeuros Centrofino.

July 22nd, 2022: I was keen to try another from the box to see whether there was a vast difference between it and the Centrofino, as I mentioned above. There wasn't. It was again very similar to that budget Cuban robusto; which is not to say that it's a cheap smoke. The aroma and flavour are excellent, but also similar to a good Nicaraguan Connecticut wrapper cigar. This cigar wasn't plugged and draw was easy. It lasted around 70 minutes. Quite satisfying. 

December 23rd: This cigar started with a difficult draw and mild, modest flavour at best. But the second half opened up, draw became easy and body moved to medium. Flavour improved in complexity immeasurably. I smoked it as far as I could get. 85 minutes. Very satisfying.

January 24th, 2023: Pleasant at best. The cigar was way too tightly packed. It wasn't plugged, but draw was uncomfortably tight. Unlike the previous cigar, it didn't quite open up until around the last inch and a half. Flavour was minimal, even in the final inch. A friend shared one and had the same opinion. 70 minutes. Pleasant at best. 

March 21st, 2024: I smoked this one in my cigar room and with the smoke lingering, it was more rich and complex. Flavour was quite pleasant, albeit mild throughout. Quite pleasant at 70 minutes.

Leaf by Oscar Toro

These cigars range from mild to medium bodied. They are very well made. Draw is always perfect. The mild cigars are not quite satisfying. I prefer the one with more body and a little strength. 

July 9th, 2022, Naxos: This is a 6x52 maduro toro. It comes wrapped in a tobacco leaf which is a bit of a gimmick. Nonetheless, the cigar was excellent.

Appearance and Construction: Dark brown, veiny cigar with smooth construction. 6 x 52, according to Neptune, made in Honduras with Nicaraguan wrapper and Honduran binder and filler.

First Puff: Very smooth, mellow.

Draw and Burn: Excellent draw with perfect burn.

Flavour and Complexity: Deliciously smooth, complex, rich and balanced maduro flavour.

Body: medium

Strength: medium, no head spinning.

Finish and Aftertaste: good long finish with smooth, clean after taste

Aroma: Deep rich aroma, present throughout.

Ash: 20 minute chunks about an inch per ashing.

Balance and Consistency: superb. Excellent balance and consistency. 

Time smoke: around 85-90 minutes

Overall: Very satisfying. Reminds me of the better versions of the Liga no. 9, although not as dark as that cigar. 

Slightly wavy burn but draw was excellent

Good to the nub

November 23rd, 2022: I had one a few weeks ago which started out rich but fizzled a bit in the final third. The one I had last night was much more pleasant: medium to full bodied, rich chocolatey flavour and a pleasant aftertaste. Aroma was a bit thin. Burn barely lasted an hour. Pleasant. 

December 20th, 2022: This was a very good example of the blend: very smooth, refined, maduro flavour with a very easy draw. Aroma was rich but fleeting. Flavour was as with the others: dark roast and chocolate. Ash was flaky. Body only reached medium and occasional pockets of strength made the cigar more interesting. This cigar lasted around 90 minutes with one relight towards the end. Quite satisfying.

January 2023: I had a couple of these with a friend in early January and one again at the end of the month. The first two, with friend, were both quite satisfying, but the body of the third cigar was somewhat lacking. It was the mildest maduro I can recall.

September 13th, 2023: Meh, quite pleasant; similar to the Melanio: very smooth and refined maduro cigar but lacking body and complexity. Pleasant. 

Oliva Cain Daytona Straight Jalapa Ligero 6 x 46

May 2022: This cigar is made from 100% Jalapa Valley ligero. So it's a puro within a puro. The first from the box was a very smooth, consistent, medium-full bodied cigar. 

Appearance and Construction: This is a 6x46 vitola.

A bit rough in appearance with a veiny wrapper. The cigar was a bit too humid and became squishy. It wasn't heavy in the hand or well packed. Otherwise, the blond wrapper is quite attractive and the cigar was quite well made.

First Puff: A nice sweet and spicy blast.

Draw and Burn: Draw and burn were faultless throughout. 

Flavour and Complexity: Flavour was interesting: a light to medium roast. There is a certain thinness to the flavour with a slight sweetness. Flavour was certainly complex and satisfying.

Body: Body was medium to full.

Strength: Quite pleasant: enough strength to complement the package of body and strength, but nothing overwhelming.

Finish and Aftertaste: Aftertaste was adequate, perhaps a bit short. 

Aroma: The pre-light aroma was sweet and the smoke was quite rich and aromatic. 

Ash: Ash held on for short one inch intervals. The looseness of the ash was commensurate with the looseness of the packing.

Balance and Consistency: Very nicely balanced flavour, body and strength with a satisfying aroma. 

Time smoke:  Only 72 minutes, quite fast burning, probably due to the loose packing. Compare the AJ Fernandez New World Short Churchill. It is 6x48 but lasts a good 90 minutes or longer. 

Overall: A satisfying smoke. Balance and consistency with a medium to full body but not too much strength, with perfect draw and burn, make this a very satisfying cigar. The only defect was the loose packing and fast burn time. I'm looking forward to trying a few more. 

March 11th, 2023: This cigar was very smooth and despite its modest size, lasted 100 minutes with a few touch ups. Medium body throughout. There was nothing harsh. Flavour was similar to the Serie O, but this little stogie built up to a huge crescendo of strength. I put it out before the nub, but as I rose from my chair, the world was spinning. Very satisfying up until the point of standing up.

June 14th, 2023: This one was much milder than the previous and lasted barely 70 minutes. Flavour was pleasant but a bit thin and lacking complexity. Easy draw and easy burn. Quite pleasant, nonetheless.

August 30th, 2023: Similar to the previous: flavour was pleasant but a bit thin. Body was quite mild. I'm wondering whether the box was in a dry part of my humidor cabinet. Pleasant at around 55 minutes.

October 4th, 2023. This one was delicious to the nub and lasted around 75 minutes. Draw was perfect. Body was medium throughout and flavour was intense. Very satisfying.

Good to the nub. Delicious.

November 6th, 2023: A good example of the blend; on the light side of medium body, easy draw, good flavour with plenty of complexity. Satisfying at 70 mintues.

March 7th, 2024: An excellent example: medium plus body with a delicious Habano flavour, rich, complex, long finish and a little more strength than previous samples. Good aroma. 90 minutes and very satisfying. 

April 14th, Turin: Not as complex as the previous sample. That Habano flavour wasn't quite there. Quite pleasant at around 70 minutes.

Oliva Serie G Churchill

January 23rd, 2022: Delicious, smooth, rich cigar with a remarkable long finish and creeping increase of strength in the final third. 

Appearance and Construction: This is a very well made cigar with a mottled light brown wrapper. According to Neptune the cigar is box pressed, 7 x 50 and mild. Mine was not box pressed and anything but mild. The box contains the inscription, "Aged Cameroon". According to Neptune, the wrapper is from the Cameroon. The binder and the filler are Nicaraguan. 

My cigars were a bit squishy upon arrival. I opened the lid of the box and let them dry out. But I couldn't resist trying one. 

First Puff: The first few puffs were spicy and full bodied, foretelling a cigar. Spiciness abated after a few minutes to reveal the dominant profile of the cigar.

Draw and Burn: Draw was a bit resistant until the final third, but manageable. Burn was razor sharp, despite the cigar being squishy.

Flavour and Complexity: Flavour was rich and complex, very much the Nicaraguan puro flavour. I'm not sure if I'd be able to identify the Cameroon wrapper in a blind tasting. Indeed, I would find it difficult to distinguish the O from G. 

Body: Body started medium in the first third and gradually built up to a powerful full body at the end.

Strength: Quite manageable during the first two thirds, but when I awoke at 1am, after dreaming of having to finish painting a house before getting to the airport in two hours, I knew that the final third of this cigar had provided quite a kick of strength at the end.  

Finish and Aftertaste: The finish on this cigar was remarkable: very long, full bodied and lingering, very rich, very smooth with only a hint of bitterness.

Aroma: Aroma was rich and complex. 

Ash: Ash was light. I didn't trust it for more than 15 minutes per ashing and once I got a tummy-full, despite my caution.

Balance and Consistency: Excellent balance and consistently tasty. Strength might have been a bit much at the end. But I didn't really notice it (until I awoke from a dream). On reflection it might have been wise to leave a longer nub.

Time smoke: 95 minutes

Overall: This was a wonderfully balanced, rich, complex cigar with an excellent aroma, perfect burn and a very fine, long finish. Very satisfying. 

At the one hour mark: note the razor sharp burn.

February 23rd, 2022: A substantial cigar which began mild to medium and ended full bodied with a bit of strength in the second half. Flavour had a little bitterness, not unpleasant, but suggested that perhaps a little ageing might add complexity. The second half of the cigar was particularly satisfying as strength increased to 'quite strong but not overwhelming'. No vivid dreams. Aroma was deep and rich. Burn was perfect, draw a bit resistant but quite acceptable. This cigar smoked much faster than the first dip into the box. 80 minutes. Quite satisfying and good to the nub.

Perfect burn. Good to the nub.

February 23rd, 2022. Light in the hand and lightly packed. The pre-light aroma was sweet like dried apple. The Cameroon flavour had a distinct woody, spicy aspect. The cigar was a straight medium throughout. There was no great increase in strength or body. Burn required a couple of touch ups but the cigar was easy to draw and good to the nub. Around 75 minutes. Quite satisfying.

May 25th, 2022: Much the same as the cigar above. Lightly packed but I eked out 90 minutes from this cigar. Cameroon flavour was pronounced and tasty. Aroma was rich and the aftertaste was spicy and lingered. There was a slight increase in flavour/body around the second half, making the cigar more delicious. 90 minutes. Burn and draw were fine. Delicious to the nub. Satisfying. 

August 15th, 2022: Lightly packed and fast burning with easy draw and perfect burn. Flavour was pleasant with a good, rich aftertaste. Aroma was quite pronounced and fragrant. No strength. The cigar barely lasted 70 minutes: pleasant but not quite satisfying. 

Tasty, easy draw, rich aroma, mild to medium body, but too burned too fast.

December 26th, 2022: Much the same as the previous cigar in August: mild to medium bodied, distinctive Cameroon nutty, earthiness, easy draw but erratic burn, pleasant aroma, reasonable finish/aftertaste. 80 minutes. A pleasant puff.  

June 24th, 2023: Again, much the same as previous: mild to medium, lightly packed, irregular burn self-corrected. Probably only 70 minutes. Not as complex and satisfying as the O but quite pleasant.

August 2023: I smoked two of these. Both were consistently delicious and complex, medium bodied throughout, drew and burned well despite the light packing and had fragrant aromas.  Each smoked for about 70 minutes. Quite satisfying.

February 10th, 2024: Smooth, cool, easy draw, mild to medium body. Quite tasty in the final third but not as much body and flavour as the Cameroon Nub 460. 70 minutes, or just under and quite satisfying.

Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Toro and Robusto

I bought two boxes, one robusto and one toro, which I shared with a friend. Both the robusto and the toro have a similar profile, the toro lasted ten or twenty minutes longer than the robusto.

January 11th, 2022 - Toro: This is a 6 x 54 Nicaraguan binder and filler with a US Connecticut broadleaf wrapper from the My Father group. The first thing I noticed about the cigar was a yellowish cellophane wrapper. That suggested that the cigars had aged more than a year. Indeed, upon first light, it was apparent that this was a well aged cigar with a very deep, smooth, dark flavour and a very refined, intense aroma.

Appearance and Construction: The cigar is well made. It's quite heavy in the hand. The wrapper is dark, almost maduro.

US Connecticut broadleaf wrapper

First Puff: A very encouraging first few puffs, full of flavour and spice. 

Draw and Burn: Draw was a little tight, but not plugged. Burn was acceptable throughout. Perhaps one or two minor touch ups. 

Flavour and Complexity: The flavour was a deep, dark roast. Not much spice after the first few puffs. One of my friends at the dinner table commented that it tasted like a maduro. 'Almost'. There wasn't the leatheriness of a maduro. Neptune describes the wrapper as maduro. So maybe it is a maduro cigar. In any event, the flavour was consistently rich and complex; perhaps a little dirt in the second half.

Body: Full body throughout.

Strength: I didn't detect much strength, but my friend, smoking the same cigar, started to feel a bit of a kick towards the beginning of the final third and left the cigar before the nub. (I usually have to tell him to put out a cigar before his fingers burn. So this speaks of a bit of strength.)

Finish and Aftertaste: Finish was long and clean enough, despite the dirty slightly aftertaste around the middle of the cigar. The next day I could barely taste any residue. 

Aroma: Rich and satisfying, deep and complex.

Ash: Half an hour per ashing. 

Balance and Consistency: Very balanced flavour, body and strength profile. Consistently good. Perhaps a little fading of flavour close to the end. But still enjoyable to the nub. 

Time smoke: 90 to 100 minutes. I think my friend lingered 105 minutes on his.

Overall: Very satisfying dark roasted flavour, slow burn, plenty of flavour even without billows of smoke. The only defect was a slightly resistant draw. But this did not affect overall enjoyment. 

Very satisfying first dip into the box.

January 15th, 2022 - Robusto: Almost identical to the Toro in every way: slow burn, dark roast, very balanced and complex. Delightfully deep aroma. 80 minutes. One difference I noted was that the cellophane of the robusto was not yellow with age. Nonetheless, flavour was rich and complex. Very satisfying.

February 7th, 2022 - Toro. This one was slightly plugged. Draw was difficult to the end. Flavour was good, as described above: dark roast, quite a bit of ligero, pepper dominated the beginning of the final third then dissipated. But the full measure of flavour was difficult to extract from the cigar, due to the dreadfully tight draw. Finish was long and quite dirty. I could taste it the next day, although it was attenuated and not unpleasant. I think we'll write this one off to the luck of the draw, pun unintended. 85 minutes. Not satisfying.

March 5th, 2022 - Robusto. The first puff gave a wonderfully rich and complex blast of flavour, which continued, full bodied but smooth and spicy throughout. Burn and draw were fine, although burn was a little fast. Around 65 minutes. The cigar also became quite hot in the second half. Overall flavour, body and strength were quite well balanced. Quite satisfying.

At the one hour mark: only a few more minutes remaining

April 6th, 2022: Toro: Draw was a bit resistant but not plugged: it took several puffs to generate a good plume. Burn was perfect. Aroma was rich 

and satisfying.

Flavour was a very balanced, complex, mellow, dark roast with spice and body building in the final third. No overwhelming strength. Everything was well balanced. Similar to the Joya Black, but with more complexity. 90 minutes. Very satisfying. 

May 18th, 2022: Robusto: A bit thin on flavour on lighting, but the complexity of the cigar soon manifested. There was a certain sweetness along with the dark roast, espresso, flavour; but without any spice or bite. The texture of the smoke was creamy-smooth and medium to full body. The aftertaste was lingering and intense. Construction was a bit wonky, with dips in the surface. But burn and draw were perfect throughout. The cigar lasted just under 80 minutes. Satisfying. 

July 3rd, 2022, Robusto: Plaka, Naxos: quite windy, but this cigar nonetheless delivered good flavour, balance and complexity with a medium body for the first two thirds, after which it became a bit bitter and vegetal. Satisfying, around 70 minutes.

December 24th, 2022, Toro: Medium bodied with a pleasant dark roast flavour. Aftertaste came and went. When it was present, aftertaste made the cigar. Burn was irregular, requiring a few touch ups. Around 90 minutes. Quite satisfying

A pleasant chomp, despite the uneven burn

. 

July 6th, 2023: Robusto Almost delicious! Many nice flavours with smooth chocolate and light roast coffee in a medium body; smooth, easy to draw, pleasant aroma but nothing rich. The cigar delivered a pleasant degree of complexity, but not very deep. Around 70 minutes and quite a pleasant puff.

November 30th, 2023: Robusto. Much the same as the previous, however the second third was the best, with a very smooth maduro flavour and cool smoke, due to quite a tight pack. Not much aroma. Tasty long finish, but a bit woody. Good to the nub. Around 70 minutes.