24. Last Call by A.J. Fernández
A.J. Fernández
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Size: 4 1/2 x 48
- MSRP: $5 (Boxes of 25, $125)
- Release Date: April 6, 2016
- Number of Cigars Released: Regular Production
- Original Score: 91
As has been noted time and again, some cigars are designed to be tied into a certain place and time. In the case of Last Call by A.J. Fernandez, the place is Fernandez’s residence—known as Casa Blanca—in Estelí, Nicaragua, and the time is the last quarter of a football game.
The story of this cigar began circulating early in 2016, with Fernandez handing them out as the 4th quarter of whatever game was on TV would get underway. A relatively petite 4 1/2 x 48 robusto, the cigar was designed to cap off the gathering in a flavorful manner. Fernandez selected an Ecuadorian habano rosado wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan fillers that he grew, a blend that starts bold before gradually mellowing, with woods, meats and a good amount of pepper its hallmarks. While price doesn’t factor into our reviews and ratings, the fact that it comes priced at just $5 only added to its appeal.
While not everyone will get to experience a night of football and cigars with Abdel Fernández, fortunately everyone can experience the cigar that capped off those evenings. — Patrick Lagreid.
