Let's dive straight into this Nicaraguan puro wrapped in Ecuadorian Sumatra leaf. The H. Upmann by AJ Fernandez Toro hits shelves at $9.69 per stick in boxes of 20, packing a substantial 6"x54 parejo shape that'll keep your ashtray busy for 90 minutes. This medium-strength smoke carries AJ's signature fingerprint - think earthy Nicaraguan core with unexpected finesse.
The cold draw gives damp cedar notes. Initial light brings black pepper spice that quickly settles into roasted almonds - exactly what you want from an Upmann lineage. Smoke production stays moderate but thick. Watch the burn line; mine needed one touch-up at the 15-minute mark.
AJ's Nicaraguan fillers flex here. Earthiness transitions to bitter cocoa powder and espresso grounds. There's a sneaky sweetness hiding beneath - think burnt caramel rather than vanilla. Ash holds strong for nearly two inches before dropping. Retrohale amps up the white pepper without harshness.
Leather and mineral notes emerge as the smoke warms. Strength creeps up to medium-full territory. Some tar buildup occurs in last inch - common for 54+ ring gauges. Pair with mineral water to cleanse palate between draws. Smoke time averaged 1hr15min across three samples.
Rolled at AJ's Nicaraguan HQ in Esteli, these use lower priming viso leaves from Jalapa valley. The Sumatra wrapper gets 18-month fermentation - longer than most market competitors. Box codes show consistent production since 2022 reboot.
