The AJ Fernandez | Rosa de Guadalupe is a new cigar from AJ Fernandez for which not much info has been released. You can find them for sale at a few shops, but no press releases were ever sent with info.
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.
Rosa de Guadalupe comes in three vitolas: Gordo (6.0″x60), Robusto (5.0″x56), and Toro (6.2″x54). It uses a Mexican San Andres wrapper, with Nicaraguan binder and fillers all grown on AJ Fernandez's farms. This is said to be a medium bodied smoke.
“The wrapper is a bit darker than milk chocolate with a few medium size veins running through it. The wrap lines are a little loose but overall the cigar is firm and well packed. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Aroma: 91
“There's a lot of chocolate and baking spice on the foot. There's hints of stone fruit on the pre-draw and a hint of pepper. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Flavor: 93 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Very rich enjoyable room note. Jalapeno spice. Dried fruit earth and bread are all major players in this profile. Leather comes in with a big bang muting all other notes from beginning to end of a draw is just a mouth and nose full of leather. The cigar is light medium in strength.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“My initial impression of this cigar is that the flavors seem a bit muted. There is black pepper, cedar, and a hint of mineral but the smoke output is rather wispy so the flavors never really develop and fade out quickly. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
Flavor: 91 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The body ramps up in flavor! Intense rich and bold flavors of leather, coffee, and tobacco scream at my taste buds fighting for attention. These bold flavors fight to be known this whole third. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“The level of pepper has picked up from the first third and while still not aggressive is a perfect amount to keep the palate interested. Spanish cedar is more of a player this third as well as the introduction of a slightly mineral note. There's still a lot of milk chocolate on the draw as well with heavy cream and honey. Or maybe a sweet honey like feel due to the rich smoke. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Final Third
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“A slight sour note starts off this third with a full bodied slap in the face. Strength is at full force while I ease back in my rocking chair, trying not to pass out. Nothing but pure 100% octane full bodied tobacco here. Not for the faint at heart. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“The final-third is a continuation of the earlier thirds. Cedar, mineral, and tobacco have dominated the profile throughout but there is a bit more black pepper creeping in which is a nice change of pace. The cigar has performed well from start to finish but my biggest complaints continue to be the actual smoke output and the general lack of complexity. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
“Razor sharp needing no touch ups or relights.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Construction: 89
“Construction was great. Cigar performed very well.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Overall Strength: Medium Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full Experience Overall: 88
“Would buy a box, this profile was very good with a great room note to boot. Be good to find out what it is so I can pair it with some smokey oaky scotch.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Incredibly tasty cigar. The flavors evolved and mingled perfectly till the end. Other than some construction issues I had, I would recommend this to anyone. Very flavorful, excellent smoke output, and a great burn is everything you look for in a top notch cigar. Perfect everyday cigar. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Phew! This one was a strong one you don't want to underestimate as I took a nap after smoking it. Rich and bold tobacco flavors with some nuances of coffee and leather dominated the entire experience with no holding back on the strength. Wished there was a bit more variety of flavor, however it was a decent smoke that should be carefully considered as a nightcap. ” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“I wouldn't classify this as a bad cigar. However, the draw and smoke output negatively effected the overall experience and hampered the profile development. I would really have to smoke a second cigar to determine whether this is the normal profile or if I just got a dud. ” –Jeff (ExpendableYouth)
"Incredibly tasty cigar. The flavors evolved and mingled perfectly till the end. Other than some construction issues I had, I would recommend this to anyone. Very flavorful, excellent smoke output, and a great burn is everything you look for in a top notch cigar. Perfect everyday cigar. " -Alan (Eulogy)
