More Reviews By John

Created by AJ Fernandez, this is a modern take on a classic brand—and as you might expect—it’s jaw-droppingly complex. Featuring a blend of long-fillers from Nicaragua's top growing regions and an oily Ecuador Habano wrapper, this cigar's sweet, spicy, and full-boded profile makes it a can't-miss.

Full-bodied, complex, and well-made, Don Pepin Garcia Blue is worthy of all the praise it's received since its launch. The blend utilizes high quality Nicaraguan long-fillers with a toothy Corojo wrapper over top, giving this '93' rated gem a spicy aroma with hints of cinnamon, earth, and dried fruit. One of Don Pepin's finest cigars to date.

Alec Bradley's Black Market cigars have always been a favorite of mine, but this '93' rated gem steals the show. Brimming with a four-country blend of long-fillers wrapped in a dark Nicaraguan leaf, this premium is satisfying to the core with notes of leather, chocolate, and earth.

With its oily Nicaraguan Habano wrapper and mix of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos, Romeo y Julieta Reserve is always a treat. It offers smooth and rich notes of oak, coffee, black pepper, and a bit of sweetness. A balance of strength and flavor, this cigar is one of Romeo y Julieta's best creations.

Macanudo Crü Royale is a medium-bodied gem which features a dark Ecuador Habano wrapper with Dominican and Brazilian fillers beneath. Crü Royale is rich with deep notes of sweet earth, black pepper, and wood. This cigar never fails to impress, as it is consistently flavorful and well-made. A must for any Macanudo fan.

Masterfully blended and perfectly balanced, Rocky Patel Vintage '90 is an exceptional cigar which has earned a regular place in my humidor. Featuring a 12-year-aged Honduran Broadleaf maduro wrapper with a blend of well-aged fillers and binders, you'll experience rich notes of cedar, espresso, and some sweetness.

This cigar is an easygoing blend that never disappoints. Decadent Dominican long-fillers are encased by a smooth Connecticut wrapper. Satisfying notes of leather, spice, and cedar greet the palate and pair nicely with a morning coffee. One of Victor Sinclair’s crowning achievements.

This is not only one of my top picks for 2017, it's also one of my go-to cigars. This '95' rated box-pressed beauty sports a well-aged Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper with Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers beneath. Its notes of cocoa, black pepper, and earth are always an absolute pleasure.

AJ Fernandez is a very busy man–and that may be putting it lightly. Recently, he’s collaborated with some of the biggest names in the business to make some absolute gems, and he’s somehow found the time to craft some new premiums to add to his own illustrious portfolio.
Among the brand new additions is an extension to his Enclave line. AJ created the original Habano-wrapped beauty with the help with his father, Ismael, and the cigar received a well-deserved ‘92’ rating and Top 25 honors.The newest iteration of Enclave was brought about by a simple curiosity–AJ wanted to know what the blend would taste like wrapped with a Connecticut Broadleaf, and I’ve never been so grateful for Mr. Fernandez’s inventive and adventurous approach to making cigars.

Don’t get me wrong, the original Enclave is nothing shy of exquisite, but when Nicaraguan fillers from Pueblo Nuevo, Estelí, and the Jalapa Valley are encased by a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, what you get is a brand new profile with a deeper flavor and full-body.  Enclave Broadleaf is visibly darker than the original, and the unlit tobaccos have a spicier aroma with a slight hint of hay and caramel–an indication that this cigar has been aged very well.
When the cigar is first lit, there is a fair amount of spice with notes of earth, espresso, some toasted almonds, and slight citrus on the finish. As the burn continues, the peppery notes remain present, but the flavors develop into a creamy leather with notes of cocoa and a natural sweetness. Enclave Broadleaf is a solid full-bodied cigar, and it has complexity to spare. Of course, the original will always be a regular in my rotation of premiums, but this new addition will definitely find its way into the mix as well.

This unique '95' rated gem is full-bodied with a beautifully complex profile. Flathead's Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers are bound with a well-fermented Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. Notes of black pepper, cocoa, and earth are nothing short of a holiday treat.