Let's cut straight to this Nicaraguan powerhouse - the H. Upmann Nicaragua AJ Fernandez Heritage Toro (6"x54) hits shelves at $9.70 per stick in 20-count boxes. Wrapped in Brazilian Mata Fina leaf triple-fermented for extra punch, this box-pressed toro shows AJ's signature no-nonsense approach. The Nicaraguan binder/filler combo keeps smoke production thick enough to fog a poker room.
Cold draw serves black pepper with raisin sweetness. Initial puffs throw charred oak and espresso grounds - typical AJ "welcome punch". The dry earthiness might catch new smokers off guard. Burn line holds razor-sharp through this phase.
Flavors mellow into milk chocolate and roasted cashews. Retrohale reveals distant fruitiness - think fig jam smeared on wheat toast. Ash holds solid 1.5" before first tap. Watch the nicotine kick here, hits harder than typical H. Upmann blends.
Leather and mineral notes take over, with molasses sweetness struggling through the tar buildup. Requires slower draws past midpoint. Notorious AJ pepper returns in final inch, though muted compared to his San Lotano lines.
The triple-fermented Brazilian wrapper isn't just marketing fluff - you'll notice extra toothiness compared to standard Mata Fina. Box pressing helps manage the 54-ring gauge, though some exemplars develop minor canoeing. Our tested box (Jun 2023) showed perfect cap application across all sticks.
This collab bridges Cuban heritage with Nicaraguan muscle better than most. The Heritage Toro nails that "AJ feel" while retaining H. Upmann's signature balance. Worth grabbing a 5-pack if you dig full-flavored smokes, but maybe skip as a daily driver - that nicotine load stacks up quick.
