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Let's cut to the chase. Frankly, the only reason this cigar is not rated #1 every year and given a 98 rating is because it isn't in the running. If it were, Jose Padron, Rocky Patel, Olivia, and the Havanas could kiss their reign at the top goodbye!
Some would say, me among them, that paying $15.00 to $20.00 for a single cigar, is lunacy! Even one as superior as AJ Fernandez's brilliant Man-O-War Armada. Nor is Armada a true full bodied vitola. Medium/full at best. This may have something to do with the size of this Toro Grande, or a result of the aging of the tobaccos. Certainly, it contains strong ligeros, evidenced by the black tobacco that dominates the core of the long fillers. Clearly half the plug is very dark, perhaps even containing Pennsylvania Broadleaf, as does La Herencia Cubana Core. That is probably what Armada reminds me most of. Core is stronger, more full bodied & half the price. Still expensive, but within grasp, I always keep Core on hand. Armada, as much as I adore the blend, as satisfying as it is, just costs too darn much! As a result, I can only hope to find them on sale, like I did with The Chosen Few Sampler. For what I paid, I can afford to put several of them in storage for special occasions. I will dream of the UPS guy dropping off a $500.00 humidor filled with 32 of these unparalleled beauties, but the reality is, it will probably never happen. Unless I hit the Lottery. Then I will have at least one Man-O-War Armada 32 count humidor a week delivered & smoke Armada Toro Grandes one after another. Honestly, Armada is a very, very good cigar, with the best pedigree, wonderfully subtle flavors & thanks to CI, can be had for a fraction of the MSRP. If we keep a sharp eye out for bargains, sales, Daily Deals, MMAO opportunities or weekly/weekend specials, we can all afford to at least try Armada. With $5.50 invested in the one I have been smoking for the last 90 minutes, I couldn't be happier. I give it a 95 at the bargain price & a 90 if anyone has to pay full freight.
I got the 5 pack in a sampler and wow, this is a great cigar from top to bottom. The way it looks, tastes, and burns....but this stick delivered amazing smoke....
Honey Child let me tell ya, this Man O' War Armada is smooth as velvet. The complex flavors are to die for! It is wonderful and delicious. It packs a punch with a smooth delivery and its aroma will get your attention. It is a pricy cigar so I will take advantage of the build-your-own sampler while it lasts. Great cigar, really great! Pretty too!
Got a Toro Grande in a sampler two years ago. Just lit it up today. Well worth the wait. Absolutely perfect construction and burn. I can only describe the smoke as an intense concentration of flavor. Worth a try at any price.
The CI review is on the money. Yes, this is a full-bodied cigar of the highest caliber. Even if you like milder cigars, this is so balanced and smooth--and awesomely tasty--that you will not mind that the symphony of flavors is rolling right over you. This cigar is not just a fine smoke, it's a whole high-end EVENT all by itself.
Got the corona size in the MMAO and this is a really good cigar. The Armada is on my short list of keepers and specials.
Got the corona size in MMAO and lit the first one with a pint of guinness. Came home and ordered some more it was that good. Nuff said.
Rolled loose, don't let it sit too long. I didn't mind since I don't really take my time with cigars anyway. As said, it's a very balanced cigar with a good flavor profile. Worth the price of admission? Not full price, that's for sure. I got them for around 3$ a stick in a sampler. I'm just too cheap, or spoiled on cheaper/more value oriented sticks I guess.
This is an AMAZING cigar! If you fancy yourself a cigar lover you MUST try this one at least once in your life. If it weren't for the price I would smoke this daily, but I'm glad that I had the chance to try one!
Great Cigar! Easy Smoke! Enlighted finish! In this review I want to express I searched long ans spent alot of dollars searching for a signature truly full boided smoke that could stand up to the test of friends. Here in Afghanistain everyone has a favoriate smoke but none measures up to the hype- well this is truly a man Man smoke that burns well, no relights, taste smooth but gives you the finish of a silent strike true warrior. All said best D.. cigar ever.
The Armada is one of the best smokes that I have experienced so far!!! Very full of flavor, complex and tasty!! I will definitely be purchasing more of these in the future!!!
Definitely the best I've ever smoked. I picked up ten coronas at a decent price and tried the first after about 3 weeks. Wow! Slow and absolutely razor sharp burn down to the finger-burning nub. Full flavored, but really rich and smooth. A masterpiece by AJ. It may be expensive, but worth every penny. I'll be looking for any more deals that come down the road and am making this my extra special smoke.
I'm a Man O' War fan, and typically smoke the Ruination or Virtue as my "end of the day - relax" smoke. I bought a five-pack and let the Armadas sit in my humidor for a few weeks before trying one. Well worth the wait. It sports the typical MOW flawless construction - great draw and burn. The body is full and consistant, and the flavor is complex, changing ever so slightly as you smoke it. I get consistant notes of spice and nuts, with a hint of pepper throughout. I rate this cigar a notch above the Ashton VSG and Graycliff Avelino - two of my favorite "top shelf" cigars. It certainly doesn't disappoint!
Every so often CI offers the Armada in the corona size. I bought some of these when they were last available. They are spectacular. The construction is impeccable, producing a consistent burn line to the last puff. Flavor is spicy and earthy, with a powerful ligero punch. Worth the money if you are a corona fan like me. I don't get CI and the MOW corona sticks. This and the Ruination corona are probably the best coronas I have ever encountered (along with the Puro Authentico). Why in the world aren't they always available? Silly decision on CIs part.
I'm only about a third of the way through as I'm writing this, and about 45 minutes are already gone. I let it sit in the humidor for about three months just to be safe not to ruin the experience. My 2 cents, holy shiiiiiicago what a cigar! Words cannot begin to describe it! The aroma, gobs of flavor and smoke fill the air around you constantly reminding you of what you're holding on to. I have always been a great fan of A.J.'s cigars, but the Armada is truely a masterpiece. Pure cigar bliss with every passing minute. Ignore the price, this cigar is worth it and then some.
The profile was much like the original blend, but more refined, as if it was actually an extensively aged Man o War.Sweet smoke with the pepper and other stronger flavors coming out on the finish. Deceptively smooth for the strength. Too pricey for a regular smoke, but I will have a couple on hand for special times.
Simply outstanding! Everything from the construction to the flavor and burn was absolutely perfect. Definitely in the top-two best cigars I have ever smoked. These are certainly worth the price and I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. If you're looking for a super cigar that has it all, the MOW Armada is the answer.
I tried my first Man 'O War Armada while I was taking a Christmas photo. I had received this as part of the COM Club. Man, I really enjoyed the flavor profile, the description that CI provides is right on, so I will not try to repeat it here. The burn was perfect and so was the draw. After I enjoyed my Armada I reread the newsletter and was amazed that CI included this as part of the selection. It is truly worth the price. I ordered more, so I can enjoy them again.
The Armada is definitely one of A.J.'s best blends to date. The strength is definitely there, but the body balances it perfectly, so that the buzz you feel is pleasant, and not jittery. Lots of flavorful spice that isn't overwhelmed by the peppery finish. You can smoke it down to the nub without being washed-out with heat. It isn't cheap, but the quality is spot-on, right from the very first draw. If you like stronger cigars with fuller bodies, then you definitely need to give The MoW Armada a try.
Just enjoyed my first of these wonderful cigars and will be going back for more. They are not truely a full bodied cigar, but defintely a strong medium-full. Excellent quality from the first lighting. Easy draw, no relights, no uneven burns. It had a well balanced flavor that stays true throughout. I am not great at picking out the different flavor notes, but I could definitely pickup on some coffee and nut flavors, with a little spiciness. All in all a great cigar.
Man O' War Armada is a well made and balanced cigar. I enjoy the full flavor and all the time it takes to smoke one. It's one of my favorites!!!
Superb cigar. Full-flavored, and medium to full body (those wanting a power bomb can look elsewhere), the Armada is probably one of my favorites. It's got some power behind it, but it's so balanced and smooth that you won't notice until the very end, and even then, it's a very pleasant buzz. All in all, just a delicious cigar, extremely well-blended, and something I look forward to
I was blown away by the Man O' War Armada. And I'm not just talking about the strength of the Armada. The robust and complex flavor profile stays perfectly in step with the strength of the Armada. Its not just all strength and power but a cigar thats balanced and is just plain ole delicious! Enjoy.