The Expert Review Library

Ave Maria’s portfolio is always in my rotation. And that should be no surprise, with every cigar being produced under the watchful eye of AJ Fernandez. But the one that stands out to me is Ave Maria Divinia. One of the brand’s top-shelf o¬fferings, Divinia is packed with Nicaraguan tobaccos and finished with a Sun Grown Nicaraguan wrapper. Notes of earth, coffee, cocoa, and almonds round out this perfectly-balanced beauty.

The Romeo y Julieta Reserve is a ‘90’-rated blend handmade in Honduras from premium Nicaraguan and Honduran binder and filler tobaccos covered by an oily Nicaraguan wrapper leaf. This perfect blend of premium tobaccos gives this cigar notes of leather, cinnamon, and almonds. The Churchill size is perfect for the golf course and afterwards pairs well with a Continental Sour.

Man O’ War is typically known for their full-flavored, Nicaraguan blends and this gem does nothing to dispel that. This hefty 6.0”x60 box-pressed treat comes packed with a bevy of Nicaraguan and Honduran Ligero tobaccos and is finished with thick, dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. Expect notes of leather and earth with hints of dark chocolate and spice on the finish.

Here’s your everyday Habano! This medium to full-bodied treat delivers a plethora of flavor without being over-powering. Starting with a blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos, this beauty is finished with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that supplies ample notes of cedar, pepper, and hints of cream on the finish. Pair it with a spiced rum and cola cocktail and never look back.

This ‘93’ rated spin-off of the original Black Market was Cigar Aficionado’s #9 of 2018. Sourcing prime tobaccos from the Plasencia family, this handmade utilizes a double binder (Honduras and Nicaragua) amid a Nicaraguan wrapper and long-filler bunch. Medium to full-bodied, it contains a consistent woodiness, with notes of caramel, cashew, cocoa, and a bit of raisin on the finish.

5 Vegas is a brand that delivers fantastic value for a premium brand. Cigars that will easily fit into your daily rotation. 5 Vegas Cask Strength weighs in as the strongest blend in their best-selling portfolio. The blend consists of all-Ligero tobaccos that are finished with a red-hued Nicaraguan wrapper. You’re going to want to want to have a full stomach for this powerhouse!

The Kristoff Maduro is a boutique-made premium that does not lack flavor. This full-bodied cigar is everything a premium cigar should be. It has a Brazilian Maduro wrapper, Cuban-seed Dominican Olor binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. With notes of toasted nuts, spice, and a slight bit of sweetness on the finish, the Kristoff Maduro pairs perfectly with a classic brandy Sidecar.

The ‘93’ rated Caldwell The King is Dead sources some of finest and most unique Dominican tobaccos. Medium-bodied and well-constructed to provide a thick, balanced smoke, this premium exudes notes of cedar, earth, chocolate, and subtle hints of spice. This is a great cigar to pair with a cup of coffee, or your favorite libation!

El Diario in this instance means “daily,” so welcome to your everyday La Palina indulgence. This ‘93’ rated blend gets its spice from the top-choice Nicaraguan long-fillers, and its natural sweetness is courtesy of the Honduran Rosado wrapper. Offering up dense smoke and a fluid draw, expect notes of earth, cedar, pepper, nuts, and stone fruits.

Normally, when you attach AJ’s name to a blend, it instantly puts it on the map. But La Herencia Cubana’s CORE line still flies under the radar. Why? As one of AJ Fernandez’s earlier releases, AJ’s celebrity hadn’t taken off quite yet. But let me tell you, this one deserves your attention. A bold, rich beauty ripe with notes of dark chocolate, spice, and hints of cashews.