AJ...AJ...AJ...that's all you hear about anymore!!!

That, my friends, is for a very good reason. Abdel Fernandez has been pumping out top flight cigars for over a decade now. How does he do it you ask?? Passion, discipline, and great tobacco. 

Introducing Ramon Allones Special Selection, Ometepe...Jalapa...Estelí Fillers, hugged by a Nicaraguan binder, all dressed up in a beautifully smooth Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. That's right folks, a Nicaraguan puro paying tribute to a legendary Cuban brand. "Wouldn't that make the cigar super spicy??" you may be asking yourself, normally you would be correct...but this is where the discipline and great tobacco come into play.

The growing region of Ometepe is considered to be the producer of some of the most potent tobacco there is for cigars, bold flavors of spice and nuttiness are to be expected when enjoying a cigar that has tobacco from this vega. Estelí Tobacco is not far behind Ometepe tobacco, but with more of a pepper-spice. Jalapa tobacco is typically very sweet and aromatic, and in this case acts as the balancer for the Ometepe and Estelí tobaccos. You add these all together and what do you get?? Well...

The initial light of this cigar hits you with a combination of that Esteli and Ometepe tobacco...a beautiful combination of red and black pepper, and a toasty tobacco finish. Not even two puffs later a cedar-like sweetness from the Jalapa tobacco comes in and mellows out those bold flavors. The burn line is razor sharp, and the ash hanging on like a champion. The aroma is almost floral. The first third of this puro is in line with most of AJ's cigars, a very bold introduction but quickly mellows into beautiful complexity. 

The middle of this cigar has me listening to Steely Dan or even Mad Season; just smooth melodies. Jalapa makes its presence known for sure here by introducing even more sweetness, telling Esteli and Ometepe to quiet down and and kick back a bit. Don't worry, the spice and pepper are still there, they're just taking a bit of a break. Razor sharp burn is not going away anytime soon, but I do have to ash the cigar after a solid 2-inch-long ash. I'm not the most graceful person, I'll admit.

As I'm still enjoying the middle of this cigar, I'm thinking of what beverages to enjoy with this cigar; Glenlivet 15 would enhance the spice and cedar of this cigar, Flor De Cana 18 would add more sweetness, and a straight cup o' joe would bring out a nice earthiness. Man, now I'm thirsty!!!

I was lucky enough to visit the base of operations for AJ Fernandez in Estelí, Nicaragua. It opened my eyes just how much goes into a product that we burn. The time and care that goes into every single cigar from this company is astounding. From the tiny little seeds that are barely bigger then the point of a sewing needle, growing as tall if not taller than 6 feet, the time spent in curing/fermentation, sorting, bunching and rolling..it is truly incredible. If you ever get the chance to visit AJ's factory, I highly encourage you to do so. It WILL make you appreciate cigars and the entire industry that much more.

Closing out the Special Selection brings out that spice again, with more of a focus on the cedar this time around, and a savory sweetness is making me wish this cigar never ended. If you're a fan of his Dias de Gloria, My Father's Flor de las Antillas, or Perdomo's 10th Anniversary Sungrown, I highly suggest you give this latest offering from AJ a try, I give you the Bobby B assurance you will not be disappointed!!