AJ Fernandez Archives - Blind Man's Puff

Cigar News: Altadis Announces Trinidad Espiritu

by Emmett | May 8, 2019 | AJ Fernandez, All, Featured, News, Nicaragua | 0 |

Altadis U.S.A. has again partnered with AJ Fernandez to release a new cigar before this year’s IPCPR convention: Trinidad Espiritu. The cigar is meant to evoke spirit of vintage Latin Caribbean culture and a series of nationwide special events will coincide. The cigar is described as medium to full-bodied. It is a Nicaraguan puro blended by A.J. Fernandez.

Cigar News: General Cigar Announces Whiskey Row Sherry Cask

by Emmett | Apr 24, 2019 | AJ Fernandez, All, Diesel, Habano, News, Nicaragua | 0 |

General Cigar announced today a followup to their 2018 Diesel Whiskey Row, Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask. This cigar is again a collaboration with Rabbit Hole Distelery in which the tobaccos are aged in whiskey barrels. The cigar will ship in three vitolas June 3, 2019.

Blind Cigar Review: AJ Fernandez | Last Call Maduro Flaquitas

by Zane G. | Apr 12, 2019 | AJ Fernandez, All, Blind Cigar Reviews, Featured, Nicaragua | 0 |

“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)

Cigar News: Diesel Re-Introduces Hair of the Dog

by Emmett | Mar 19, 2019 | AJ Fernandez, All, Diesel, Habano, Natural, News, Nicaragua | 0 |

Diesel is releasing a limited-edition version of its Hair of the Dog line this month. This cigar was created by AJ Fernandez with the help of brand manager Justin Andrews at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua. The fillers are made entirely of Nicaraguan Habano, while the wrapper is an Ecuadoran Habano, and binder Ecuadoran Sumatra. The regular Hair of the Dog line is a Cigars International exclusive that has been around since 2013.

Blind Cigar Review: Caldwell | The T Connecticut Double Robusto

by Emmett | Feb 18, 2019 | A.J. Fernandez, AJ Fernandez, All, Blind Cigar Reviews, Caldwell, Connecticut, Double Robusto, Featured, John A., John I., Matt Booth, Mickey T., Natural, Nicaragua, Robert Caldwell, Room101, Ryan H. | 0 |

“I enjoyed this cigar, it was mild enough to be enjoyed as your 1st cigar of the day with some coffee. There were enough transitions to hold my attention with cream, cedar and some cinnamon. ” -Mickey T. (irratebass)

Blind Cigar Review: Southern Draw | 300 Manos Torpedo

by Zane G. | Feb 1, 2019 | AJ Fernandez, All, Blind Cigar Reviews, Daniel S., Diana, Featured, Habano, Isaac M., Jason H., Natural, Robert Holt, Southern Draw, Torpedo | 0 |

“As a fan of heavier, more full bodied cigars, this was a nice change of pace for me on this cold winter day. Loved the citrus and oak notes I got from this, especially on the retrohale. Would I buy a box, probably not but its definitely worth a fiver. Enjoyable overall. ” -Kevin J. (maninblack77)

Top 25 Cigars of the Year – 2018

by Emmett | Jan 4, 2019 | AJ Fernandez, All, Arturo Fuente, Atabey, Black Label Trading Company, Blk Wks, Carlos Fuente Jr, Casa Fernandez, Crowned Heads, Davidoff, Diesel, Don Pepin Garcia, Drew Estate, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, El Artista, Eladio Diaz, Emilio Cigars, Featured, Foundation Cigar, Hendrik Kelner, IPCPR, Jaime Garcia, James Brown, Jon Huber, Jonathan Drew, Juan Martinez, Kyle Gellis, Max Fernandez, MBombay, Mel Shah, MLB Cigar Ventures, My Father, News, Nicholas Melillo, Pete Johnson, Robert Holt, Southern Draw, Steve Saka, Tatuaje, Top 25, Warped | 0 |

Each of our panelists were given 10 votes to towards our Top 25 Cigars of the Year – 2018. As with previous years, the order of their votes mattered 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.

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.