The H Upmann By AJ Fernandez Churchill cigar rolls in at 7"x54 with a box of 20 sticks priced around $220.48. This Nicaraguan-made smoke wears an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper that glistens with moderate oil, paired with a Corojo 99 binder and filler combo of Criollo 98/Pilito Cubano tobaccos. AJ Fernandez's reinterpretation of the Cuban classic brings medium-bodied smoke that'll keep you company for nearly two hours.
Cold draw delivers sweet hay and cashew. Initial puffs burst with black pepper spice that settles into a core of roasted almonds and cedar. The Nicaraguan earthiness comes through strong, with faint molasses sweetness balancing the profile. Smoke production stays moderate - no thick plumes here.
Spice transitions from black pepper to white pepper as the cigar heats up. Dark chocolate notes emerge, blending with the persistent almond flavor. Retrohale brings out a citrus zing I didn't expect. Burn line stays razor-sharp despite the 54-ring gauge.
Leather and espresso dominate the last act. The almond sweetness fades, replaced by mineral notes characteristic of Estelí tobacco. Some reviewers report bitterness here, but mine stayed smooth until the nub. Strength ramps up to medium-full - newbies might want to pair it with soda.
The triple cap cuts cleanly with minimal fraying. My sample had slight box press from shipping but smoked evenly regardless. Ash holds firm in one-inch segments. Not the most complex AJ Fernandez blend, but the construction justifies the price point.
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