CIGAR JOURNAL’S TOP 25: CIGAR OF THE YEAR 2019

Each year, our tasting panel members smoke hundreds of cigars in order to give you the results of these blind tastings with the most objective impressions possible through our ratings. At the end of the year, we traditionally use the occasion to select those cigars that have remained in our memory.

Only the cigars that received a combined score of 90 points or more and those that were initially released less than two years ago are eligible for selection.

#1 | A.J. Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Robusto

In 2016, A.J. Fernandez introduced the Bellas Artes series in the United States. The Maduro line followed two years later, and for roughly one year has also been available in Europe and Asia. The combination of a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper and a Mexican San Andrés binder is rather unusual, but is clearly highly appreciated and gives the cigar a unique selling point. It is said that Abdel Fernandez’s inspiration for this series came from visits to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Havana. The Bellas Artes Maduro series encompasses four vitolas: alongside the Robusto, the Toro, Gordo and Short Churchill formats are available. In addition, a special edition was recently released in the Lancero format.

Tasting notes:
Right from the start, this perfect cigar (not only visually) is expressive. It offers the scent of bread, spices, cacao sweetness; nutty, woody and leathery aromas. The intense aromas are carried by a gentle saltiness, pepper and acidity. Strength, harmony, excitement …

Owner: A.J. Fernandez Cigars
Factory: Tabacalera A.J. Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Brazil
Binder: Mexico
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength: 9 (of 10)
Size: 140 x 20.6 | 5 1/2 x 52
Released: 2018