Man O' War Special Edition

The illustrious Man O’ War brand was developed by Abdel "AJ" Fernandez, a protégé of Don Alejandro Robaina. Robaina is so esteemed he’s often considered the “Godfather” of fine tobacco. Abdel Fernandez spent most of his life studying in Cuba under him before moving to Nicaragua to fly solo. After just seven years, A.J. started producing Rocky Patel’s Fusion, Padilla Habano, and Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet. Yet, of all the cigars produced at his factory, A.J. personally considers Man O’ War to be his best blend. Visually, it's stunning. The dark, sultry Habano Ecuadorian wrapper, covered with natural oils, is thick and smooth. But don't let the beautiful wrapper mislead—it's a velvet glove. Underneath it is a robust medium-full recipe of aged Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long-fillers which hit like a hammer, unleashing a bold potpourri of flavor. The opening is robust, with heavy spice and wood undertones. Then a chewy, velvety-smooth core of oak and earth with a sweet array of spicy notes develops. Throughout the burn, there are a variety of understated nuances that come and go, including coffee, cocoa bean, and a touch of vanilla. We smoked it with Booker’s small batch bourbon and enjoyed the experience immensely.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world. The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.