(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)
Almost a year ago, a fire broke out at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A., the main factory for AJ Fernandez. For the company’s next release, Abdel Fernández is honoring some of the help he received following the fire.
Amar by AJ Fernandez is the new line. It’s made entirely of Nicaraguan tobacco, capped off by a habano wrapper. While Amar is born out of the fire at the factory in Estelí, the line is being made at the San Lotano Factory, the company’s second factory, which is located in Ocotal, north of Estelí.
It is offered in four vitolas:
Amar by AJ Fernandez Robusto (5 1/2 x 54) — $10.40 (Box of 20, $208)
Amar by AJ Fernandez Toro (6 x 56) — $11 (Box of 20, $220)
Amar by AJ Fernandez Gordo (6 x 60) — $11.30 (Box of 20, $226)
Amar by AJ Fernandez Torito (6 1/2 x 50) — $10.70 (Box of 20, $214) REVIEWED TODAY
The name has two different meanings. In Spanish, amar means to love; while in Arabic, it is the word for moon. The company says this highlights Abdel Fernández’s heritage; he is known for being Cuban but also has Lebanese heritage.
“Like the lunar phase that directly follows a moon at full illumination, Amar represents reflection, gratitude, personal growth, and new beginnings,” said the company in a press release. “AJ’s passion and perseverance only made him return stronger, and the cigar community’s unwavering support overwhelms him with appreciation and fuels his purpose.”
The cigar is nicely made and has a nice feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good with a touch of firmness. The initial flavors at light up were pear with a little citrus influence, brown sugar, cinnamon, tanned leather, black coffee, and a little earthiness. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2. Nice start.
At the first third (31 minutes) the pear notes were a little lighter but still nice. There was brown sugar, cinnamon, some earthiness, and a good bit of leathery black coffee. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is pear and black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is quite good and may have lost a little from the light up but I rated the first third 93.
As I moved through the second third (1 hour 5 minutes) the cigar has gotten a lot more earthy and there's a lot of black coffee. The pear notes are much lighter. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is light pear and black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar lost a little due to the elevated earthiness and black coffee. I rated the second third 90.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 46 minutes. There was somewhat of a bounce back. The pear, brown sugar and light cinnamon notes returned in a nice amount. There is still a lot of black coffee but the earthiness went down. The cigar is full bodied. The finish is pear with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar got nice again but not quite to the way is was in the first third. I rated the final third 92. Nice cigar from AJ and well worth trying.
No comments:
Post a Comment