AJ Fernandez released the Last Call in April of 2016. It was a relatively inexpensive cigar and meant to be an end of the night cigar and came in one vitola, a 4.5″ x 48 “Geniales”. A few months later, they released the maduro version before the IPCPR trade show in that vitola. The original blend used a Ecuador Habano Rosado wrapper while the maduro uses a Nicaraguan-grown Pennsylvania Broadleaf maduro.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
Later that year the company announced that both versions would be getting five more vitolas. Chiquitas 3.5″ x 50, Corticas 4.0″ x 52, Flaquitas 6.0″ x 46, and Pequenas 5.0″ x 46.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Torpedo Length: 6″ Ring Gauge: 46 Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaraguan Pennsylvania Broadleaf Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez Blender: A.J. Fernandez Number of reviewers: 4 – Jeff (ExpendableYouth) Adam B. (Bushboy) Emmett (BMP_Emmett) Matt H. (Mattehh) Price: $6.00 Age: 1 Year Release Date: November 2016 Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“Near a 50 ring gauge with a shiny and oily wrapper. Torpedo tip with prominent veins and firm feel throughout. There are tears along the Major van line that I hope don’t affect the smoke input. They don’t seem to have penetrated the binder, but I will keep an eye on them. Closed foot.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Aroma: 93
Blind Cigar Review: A.J. Fernandez | Last Call Maduro Torpedo
“There is a chocolate barnyard thing going on with the aroma. The cigar is subtlety sweet and just as you start to notice the chocolate notes you are hit with a rich warm barnyard smell. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“There was an initial blast of pepper but it was short lived and almost immediately tapered off. The cigar has a rich dark coco note to it, followed by a light earthiness and leather. As I continue into the first-third the initial pepper keeps popping in and out leaving a bit of spice on the tip of my tongue. The retrohale has the main note of coco but a rich burned espresso as well. I was a little underwhelmed by the overall appearance of the cigar but the actual smoking experience has more than made up for that. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“Lighting the shag foot is of course all wrapper and spicy with a blast of pepper. Once we get past the foot a nice earthy leather joins. The flavors are gritty and I like it. The burn was wavy from the shaggy foot but quickly straightens itself. The draw is perfect and produces lots of smoke. Towards the end of the third, the spice dies down a bit and balances out with the remaining earth and leather.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Second Third
Blind Cigar Review: A.J. Fernandez | Last Call Maduro Torpedo
“Second third carried over the spices from the first. Cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar still dominate the character. Burn and draw have been fantastic and the aroma is second to none. It taste like spice rum cake on the finish. Slight bitterness starting to build.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“This third starts with the addition of a coffee flavor. There’s also a grainy flavor now like bread. The burn has run into an issue but it does correct itself. Toward the end there are some nice baking spices join the mix.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Final Third
Blind Cigar Review: A.J. Fernandez | Last Call Maduro Torpedo
“The final-third has picked up in strength compared to the previous thirds and has a heavy red pepper note that coats the mouth. The coco notes have been mostly drowned out but are still noticeable as the final note on your palate. The retrohale has a peppery leather in this third, but is not overly aggressive. As I continue into the final-third there is an increasing bitter espresso and chocolate note that is fighting the pepper for dominance. This third has been the most complex so far and has really rounded out the entire experience. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“Warm bread-like flavors. Graham cracker, cinnamon and nutmeg. Slight nuttiness with a developing hardwood taste on the finish. Sweetness has dissolved a little and developed into a more baked spice dominance. Burn, ash and performance have been on point. Very nice. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 98
“Draw was spectacular throughout. No issues and very easy to puff and get a great output. Effortless.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Burn: 93
“The ash was a bit loose bit the burn was razor sharp throughout and never needed a touchup or relight. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Construction: 95
“Construction was very good except for a soft spot on inspection, but that didn’t affect things.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
“This was a really enjoyable cigar. I was a little underwhelmed with the overall appearance of the cigar but the flavor profile and transitions between thirds really sold me on it. There was a rich coco, espresso, leather, earthiness, and pepper that all worked to create a really balanced and flavorful cigar. I would recommend that you pick one of these up and give it a try for yourself. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“Overall a pretty damn good cigar. If you like dipping into the spice cabinet realm this one is for you. I detected notes all over, from cinnamon to nutmeg to all spice to cumin. Tasted like I was smoking a Thanksgiving dessert. Very warm and nice flavors. Due to the strength, I would recommend this as an after dinner smoke and pair with a bourbon or blended whiskey and a piece of pie.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“Overall I really loved this cigar, everything about it was spot on, flavors, draw, burn all great. The flavors started out complex and changed enough to keep it interesting and were always well balanced. Highly recommend. ” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
“The cigar started out great. Had some nice wood/cherry/smoked meat flavor. Then it just tanked. I had a lot of issues with the draw and burn. Couldn’t get any flavors cause of a tunnel. If this wasn’t a review cigar I would have just thrown it out. The last third started to get better but by then the damage was already done and didn’t have enough time to make it enjoyable again.” –Matt H. (Mattehh)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 89
Reviewer
Apr
Aro
1/3
2/3
3/3
Draw
Burn
Const
Ovr
All
Jeff
92
95
92
93
92
95
95
95
95
Adam B.
92
92
95
95
92
97
95
95
93
Emmett
97
90
92
97
97
100
90
95
95
Matt H.
92
85
92
78
88
83
83
80
83
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: A.J. Fernandez | Last Call Maduro Torpedo
Overall Score – 94 – Excellent
Blind Cigar Review: AJ Fernandez | Last Call Maduro Flaquitas
Summary
"Overall a pretty damn good cigar. If you like dipping into the spice cabinet realm this one is for you. I detected notes all over, from cinnamon to nutmeg to all spice to cumin. Tasted like I was smoking a Thanksgiving dessert. Very warm and nice flavors. Due to the strength, I would recommend this as an after dinner smoke and pair with a bourbon or blended whiskey and a piece of pie." -Adam B. (Bushboy)
