AJ Fernandez Archives - Blind Man's Puff

Cigar News: Punch Diablo to Debut at IPCPR 2018

by Matthew T. | Jul 10, 2018 | AJ Fernandez, All, IPCPR, News, Nicaragua, Punch, Sumatra | 0 |

At the upcoming 2018 IPCPR trade show, Punch cigars will introduce a new line called Diablo. As the name suggests, it is an extremely bold and full-bodied cigar with strength and power. AJ Fernandez blended the cigar for Altadis U.S.A. with tobaccos from four different countries, all of which have aged 4-6 years. The cigars are rolled by hand at the AJ Fernandez factory in Nicaragua.

Cigar News: New Size for H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez

by Matthew T. | Jun 13, 2018 | AJ Fernandez, All, Dominican Republic, H. Upmann, News, Sumatra | 0 |

The success of the H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez line has prompted AJ Fernandez to offer a Belicoso box press size, expanding the portfolio on this medium-to-full-bodied cigar with complex flavors and rich aromas.

Quick Cigar Review: Diesel | Whiskey Row Robusto

by Emmett | Jun 6, 2018 | AJ Fernandez, All, Diesel, Emmett, Featured, IPCPR, Natural, Nicaragua, Quick Cigar Reviews, Robusto | 0 |

This cigar was exactly what a project like this should be: not so prominent in the barrel-aged department that it takes over the blend, but enough that you know it was there. It reminded me of the Diesel Unlimited blend both profile-wise and on paper, but just with a little something extra. I’m not sure this is my favorite Diesel release, but it is up there with the Rage and Delirium. Definitely pick some of these up if you are a fan of Diesel, barrel aged cigars, or just want to try something new in general.

Cigar News: Diesel Unveils Whiskey Row

by Matthew T. | May 21, 2018 | AJ Fernandez, All, Diesel, Habano, News, Nicaragua | 0 |

Diesel has been a well know presence in cigar shops and from online retailers for a number of years now. Very soon, fans of the brand will have another reason to smile, as Diesel presents Whiskey Row. As with the rest of the Diesel portfolio, they are blended by AJ Fernandez. This cigar was also developed in conjunction with Rabbit Hole Bourbon, a new distillery in the bourbon category. Whiskey Row uses some binder leaves that were aged in bourbon barrels, using a proprietary process developed by AJ to enhance the profile of the cigar.

Cigar News: AJ Fernandez Hires Starky Arias as Marketing Director

by Emmett | Feb 5, 2018 | A.J. Fernandez, AJ Fernandez, All, News, Nicaragua | 0 |

Today, AJ Fernandez Cigar Company announced that they have hired Starky Arias, formerly of Cigar Rings, as their new marketing director. He will start the position March 1, 2018. He has been on the creative side of the cigar industry for many years, mostly with Cigar Rings, with many brands.

Cigar News: Altadis Announces Romeo San Andrés

by Emmett | Jan 24, 2018 | AJ Fernandez, All, Featured, Grupo de Maestros, Maduro, Mexican San Andres, News, Nicaragua, Rafael Nodal, Romeo y Julieta (DR) | 0 |

Today, Altadis U.S.A. and AJ Fernandez announced another collaboration, the Romeo San Andrés by Romeo y Julieta. The cigar is made in Estelí, Nicaragua at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez. The blend uses an aged San Andrés wrapper, one of the more popular wrappers today.

Top 25 Cigars of the Year – 2017

by Emmett | Jan 5, 2018 | AJ Fernandez, All, AVO, Caldwell, Camacho, Carson Serino, Claudio Sgroi, Cornelius & Anthony, Crowned Heads, Davidoff, Dominican Republic, Don Pepin Garcia, Drew Estate, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, Erik Espinosa, Featured, Fred Rewey, H. Upmann, Hector Alfonso Sr., Hendrik Kelner, Honduras, IPCPR, Jaime Garcia, Jon Huber, Jonathan Drew, My Father, Nicaragua, Nicholas Melillo, Nomad, Pete Johnson, Robert Caldwell, Robert Holt, RoMa Craft, Serino, Skip Martin, Southern Draw, Steve Saka, Tatuaje, Top 25, Willy Herrera | 0 |

Each of our panelists were given 10 votes to towards our top 25. Order mattered on their votes as their #1 vote is worth twice as much as their #10. Our list is made up of cigars that had a wide release this year. The cigars that are eligible do not have to have been reviewed on Blind Man’s Puff, but the reviewer must have smoke it at some point to vote for it.

Blind Cigar Review: Diesel | Grind (2017) Robusto

by Emmett | Dec 6, 2017 | Adam B., AJ Fernandez, All, Blind Cigar Reviews, Diesel, Featured, Habano, IPCPR, John I., Nicaragua, Robusto, Stefan, Steve, Zane G. | 0 |

“Pretty solid effort. A really darkly attractive cigar with big rich flavors in the earthy/woody range with some interesting side notes of herbs and spices coming in at a few points. I’d love to stick a box of these in the back of my cabinet and forget about them for a year or two. I’ll bet they really sing with a little age. ” -John I. (John I.)

Blind Cigar Review: Hoyo | La Amistad Silver Robusto

by Emmett | Oct 30, 2017 | AJ Fernandez, All, Blind Cigar Reviews, Featured, Habano, Hoyo de Monterrey (DR), IPCPR, John I., Matthew T., Natural, Nicaragua, Robusto, Ryan, Steve, Zane G. | 0 |

“I was a little concerned on the cold draw before lighting, but this cigar was really pretty good. Good flavor combinations, and lots of smoke output. It did burn a bit on the fast side, but the flavors that came throughout the smoking experience were tasty and made sense together. I would smoke this again.” -Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)

Blind Cigar Review: Monte by Montecristo | AJ Fernandez Belicoso

by Zane G. | Oct 5, 2017 | AJ Fernandez, All, Belicoso, Blind Cigar Reviews, Featured, Habano, John I., Matthew T., Natural, Nicaragua, Steve, Zane G. | 0 |

“This was a good looking cigar that was enjoyable for the first two thirds. The final third fell a bit short as the cigar got hot and bitter. Would be interested too see what some age does to these. ” -Zane G. (Zane)

Blind Cigar Review: Man O’ War | Ruination Robusto No. 1

by Zane G. | Sep 1, 2017 | AJ Fernandez, All, Blind Cigar Reviews, Derek, Featured, Habano, Isaac M., Man O' War, Matt C., Natural, Nicaragua, Robusto, Stefan | 1 |

“This is a very good cigar and it is very good because it is unique. The first half of the cigar exhibited oak, peat and moss and other very enjoyable flavors. The retro had a flirting chocolate and a cream kaboom in the 3/3. Age this cigar and dollars to donuts you’ll be rewarded. Dank flavor cigar. 88-90 right now. 90-92 with age potential. ” -Matt C. (Big Matt)

Blind Cigar Review: Hoyo | La Amistad by AJ Fernandez Robusto

by Emmett | Aug 30, 2017 | A.J. Fernandez, AJ Fernandez, All, Blind Cigar Reviews, Featured, Gregg, Habano, IPCPR, Matthew T., Mickey T., Natural, Nicaragua, Robusto, Steve | 0 |

“Overall this was a good smoke. I think this would not be a good first cigar of the day, but if you had a full day of smoking this would be a nice 2nd or 3rd stick of the day. Just beware it does pick up the spice in the final 1/3rd and through the whole 2nd third, but becomes a nice pleasant smoke at the end.” -Mickey T. (irratebass)