AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro

A darker work of art

Let me make an obvious statement: AJ Fernandez makes great cigars. From the top-quality tobaccos he grows on his farms to the strict quality controls in his factory, the entire process is well-managed to ensure one thing: great tasting cigars with consistent performance. And while he built his empire making cigars for other brands, he has started to claim many ratings in recent years with cigars that bear his own name. Bellas Artes Maduro is his most recent release and is a follow up to the Havana art inspired Bellas Artes original.

Up top it applies a dark and oily Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper over a Mexican San Andres binder and a blend of aged Nicaraguan long-fillers grown on AJ’s farms in Esteli. Just like the original, each size is crafted into a slow burning box-pressed vitola. It’s full-bodied and rich with notes of chocolate, espresso and some sweet spice. These cigars are fantastic if you’re looking for something with some power, and the artwork on the box and bands is just as pleasing. Go for a box, you won’t regret it.