Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.

The Goat was once a single vitola private label for a store in Haiti. Now, it’s offered in Toro, Robusto and Gordo sizes.

The Nicaraguan puro was created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the AJ Fernandez brand. There are two different vitolas: a 6 x 56 toro gordo packaged in 20-count boxes and a 6 3/4 x 54 Belicoso that is sold exclusively in branded 50-count humidors. 

The company has given the two lines three new vitolas, a new size for its boxes and updated pricing. The changes come from retailers’ requests for top-selling sizes to be part of the two lines.

The line is getting a new, stronger blend than the original, highlighted by a broadleaf-habano hybrid wrapper grown in Connecticut. While the original line was made in the Dominican Republic, this new version hails from a factory in Nicaragua.

The original version came out in 2020. This new version keeps the same size and blend, while the price and number of cigars released increases.

Altadis U.S.A says that the wrapper is 20-years-old. It’s being made by AJ Fernandez, and will be produced in small batches based on the availability of that wrapper.

The AJF 20th Anniversary Toro shipped in late October, the AJF 20th Anniversary Humidor Belicoso is now heading to stores. Blend-wise, both cigars are Nicaraguan puros with tobacco coming from what Abdel Fernández describes as his best farms.

The cigar debuted as a limited edition in 2022 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhman’s tomb by archaeologists Howard Carter and George Herbert. The name Senetjer was taken from the ancient Egyptian word for incense, which has been translated as “of the gods” and “that which makes holy.”

Two years ago, trademark issues prevented the original Diesel Tempest from shipping to stores. Now that STG has acquired Alec Bradley, those trademark concerns are no longer a problem. The new Diesel Tempest began shipping to stores on Monday.

A Reserva Real Nicaragua is getting the barberpole treatment.

The new line has been blended around an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper that the company claims is 20-years-old. It is expected to hit store shelves in December.