Man O' War Virtue Toro

Some have said the Man O’ War Virtue should be named the “Peacetime Virtue” since it’s a milder, tamer version of the full-flavored blends in the Man O’ War portfolio which was developed by Abdel “AJ” Fernandez, a protégé of Don Alejandro Robaina. Robaina was a man so esteemed he’s often called the “Godfather” of tobacco. AJ Fernandez spent most of his life studying in Cuba under Don Alejandro, but then moved to Nicaragua and began producing his own cigars. After only seven years, AJ had produced Rocky Patel’s Fusion, Indian Tabac 10th Anniversary, Padilla Habano, and Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet. However, of all the cigars produced at AJ’s factory, he personally considers Man O’ War to be his best line. Why? In part, because he thinks they are some of his smoothest—and most creative—concoctions. For the Man O’ War Virtue, he uses just enough Nicaraguan ligero to give it a light punch, thus keeping all you full-bodied Man O’ War fans satisfied. But he softens the punch by utilizing Nicaraguan seco and viso tobaccos for both the binder and filler. The result is closer to a medium-bodied experience that’s smooth and creamy from start to finish. AJ wrapped this beauty with a limited Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut leaf cultivated in 2002 and its thick gauge creates a hearty complexity with a mellow finish. We smoked it with a Black Russian cocktail 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.