The Groupo de Maestros written inside the lid of the box proudly states that the master blenders at Altadis responsible for many of the Romeo, Monte Cristo and H. Upmann selections we enjoy got together again to produce a new style of an iconic brand. Unlike H. Upmanns traditional medium to full bodied smokes, This Connecticut edition delivers mild to mellow, smooth and creamy taste to the masses! If you’ve steered away from H. Upmann in the past, now you can enjoy what they’ve been doing well for over a hundred years!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
The H. Upmann brand spans over 170 years and has remained a top rated, consistent favorite for countless smokers. As one of Altadis’ flagship marques, we’ve become accustomed to to the excellence of these Dominican beauties. When Master Blender AJ Fernandez was commissioned to add his genius to the H. Upmann name, the result was a 90 rated superstar!
By combining a selected Dominican long filler with 29 year old vintage Nicaraguan Criollo and Piloto Cubano additions encased in an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, I think he outdid himself! This complex, medium-full bodied smoke draws perfectly and will give you a real insight into why AJ is the Master he is! Please try a five pack of your favorite size and you’ll see what I mean.
Origin – Nicaragua
Filler – Dominican-Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Sumatra
Even though you have a lot of choices when it comes to the H. Upmann name, the original Reserve has always been my favorite. This is another great cigar still being made in Cuba. The Dominican Upmann is a solid medium bodied smoke that will increase in intensity as you move along. It’s blend will reward you with a robust taste on a consistent basis.
Enjoy this “Old School” favorite!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Habano
Well now, if you’ve found this cigar in your search I think it’s safe to say you’re looking for something different. The Gispert name actually traces back to the 1800’s in Cuba. Being brought to us by Altadis USA the makers of Romeo and Montecristo the Gispert Natural is a unique four country blend providing a mello to slightly medium bodied taste for a fair price.
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Honduran-Nicaraguan
Binder – Honduran
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
Origin – Honduras
Filler – Nicaraguan
Binder – Nicaraguan
Wrapper Type – Ecuadorian
When Altadis, the cigar giant thats brings us Monte Cristo, Romeo and Upmann….to name a few decided to create a value priced entry they didn’t take any shortcuts. These handmade sticks use Dominican tobaccos across the board with a bit of Honduran binder giving it a mild to medium bodied taste that’s smooth and mellow. The Connecticut Shade wrapper is a rarity in the budget friendly category. Enjoy!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican-Honduran
Binder – Connecticut
Wrapper Type – Connecticut-Connecticut Broadleaf-Sumatra
Aging room was specifically created in at the end of 2010 to produce small batch boutique blended cigars that are not for everyone. Founded by Rafael Nodal and launched in 2011, Aging Room cigars are made by Jochy Blanco of Tabacalera La Palma in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Some Aging Room brands are also produced in Nicaragua by Nestor Plasencia Jr. and A.J. Fernandez. All three cigar makers are considered Master Blenders to say the least. The brand’s portfolio includes several high-scoring cigars across many lines.
The Solera line utilizes the Solera drying process which is used in Spanish Wine making. This technique employs staggering the aging of leaves and slowly combining new leaves as the process continues. This time consuming method adds a totally enhanced taste to the tobaccos.
The Sungrown edition is an interesting one. It’s medium bodied with a crisper taste. The Dominican Habano filler and binder is encased with a Dominican sun grown wrapper giving way to a zesty stick.
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican Habano
Filler: Dominican Habano
Factory: Tabacalera Palma
Blender: Rafael Nodal
The Aging Room brand was specifically created in at the end of 2010 to produce small batch boutique blended cigars that are not for everyone. Founded by Rafael Nodal and launched in 2011, Aging Room cigars are made by Jochy Blanco of Tabacalera La Palma in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Some Aging Room brands are also produced in Nicaragua by Nestor Plasencia Jr. and A.J. Fernandez. All three cigar makers are considered Master Blenders to say the least. The brand’s portfolio includes several high-scoring cigars across many lines.
The Pura Cepa turned out to be one of the company’s best entries.This Nicaraguan purebred was rated 90-92 by a bunch of highly critical reviewers! This is an extremely robust, medium plus to full flavored, Cuban style smoke. Buckle up!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Blender: Rafael Nodal
The Aging Room brand was specifically created at the end of 2010 to produce small batch boutique blended cigars that are not for everyone. Founded by Rafael Nodal and launched in 2011, Aging Room cigars are made by Jochy Blanco of Tabacalera La Palma in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Some Aging Room brands are also produced in Nicaragua by Nestor Plasencia Jr. and A.J. Fernandez. All three cigar makers are considered Master Blenders to say the least. The brand’s portfolio includes several high-scoring cigars across many lines.
This Dominican made Core Maduro edition consists of the same selected vintage Dominican fillers and binder as the other two Core styles.The distinct taste of this medium to full bodied cigar is derived from it’s very dark and oily San Andreas Mexican wrapper which was aged five years prior to production. This Maduro is definitely a flavor bomb including notes of cocoa, coffee, dried fruit, sweetness and natural tobacco. But it also has bits and pieces of spices to keep things interesting
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Maduro
Binder: Dominican Habano
Filler: Dominican Habano
The Aging Room brand was specifically created at the end of 2010 to produce small batch boutique blended cigars that are not for everyone. Founded by Rafael Nodal and launched in 2011, Aging Room cigars are made by Jochy Blanco of Tabacalera La Palma in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Some Aging Room brands are also produced in Nicaragua by Nestor Plasencia Jr. and A.J. Fernandez. All three cigar makers are considered Master Blenders to say the least. The brand’s portfolio includes several high-scoring cigars across many lines.
The Core Habano edition is a Dominican puro like it’s Connecticut sister with the exception of being encased in a darker Dominican Habano wrapper yielding a medium-full bodied flavor giving it just a bit more punch….but nicely!
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Dominican-Habano
The Aging Room brand was specifically created at the end of 2010 to produce small batch boutique blended cigars that are not for everyone. Founded by Rafael Nodal and launched in 2011, Aging Room cigars are made by Jochy Blanco of Tabacalera La Palma in Tamboril, Dominican Republic. Some Aging Room brands are also produced in Nicaragua by Nestor Plasencia Jr. and A.J. Fernandez. All three cigar makers are considered Master Blenders to say the least. The brand’s portfolio includes several high-scoring cigars across many lines.
The Core Connecticut edition consists of all Dominican filler and binder encased in an Ecuadorian grown Connecticut seed wrapper yielding one of the only mellow-medium bodied cigars of the line. This cigar is smooth and tasty with just a bit of welcomed spice.
Origin – Dominican Republic
Filler – Dominican
Binder – Dominican
Wrapper Type – Ecuador Connecticut
Alec Bradley Spirit of Cuba Natural is this super premium maker’s value price edition.
Alec Bradley Spirit of Cuba is an everyday cigar for everybody! We all know Alec Bradley produces many top rated premium cigars. Black Market, Prensado and Tempus to name a few. With attention to detail, this budget entry consists of a Connecticut wrapper, Honduran binder, and Nicaraguan & Honduran fillers. In fact, these cigars are made with the same leaves as their more expensive brands.
How do they do it? By utilizing the “Cuban Sandwich” method of production combining long, short and medium cut fillers. The result is a mild to medium-bodied premium grade smoke that can be enjoyed on a daily basis for a very, very nominal price.
Origin:Honduras
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Grown Connecticut
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan and Honduran
See all the Alec Bradley cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art is a masterpiece of cigar making.
With attention to detail, Lost Art is an extension of the company’s popular Prensado line. Cigar Aficionado rates this blend a respectable score of 90. Their description is spot on for this exceptional medium to full bodied smoke. “Tightly packed with tobacco, this box-pressed cigar has an excellent draw that delivers notes of sweet molasses, nuts and hickory wood. The finish hints of coffee.” Without doubt, Lost Art is a another winner for Alec Bradley.
The bottom line is that if you like the Original Prensado, you’ll enjoy this one as well. Together with it’s expert craftsmanship and vintage leaves, Lost Art produces a wonderful aroma throughout along with a bevy of flavors, spices and natural tobacco taste.
Wrapper: Honduran
Binder: (Dual) Nicaraguan, Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran
Country of Origin: Honduras (Fábrica de Tabacos Raíces Cubanas S. de R.L)
See all the Alec Bradley cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
Alec Bradley Prensado has achieved some of the industry’s highest ratings….PERIOD!
With attention to detail, Prensado is made at the superb Raices Cubanas factory in Danlí, Honduras. When Cigar Aficionado gave it an astounding 96 rating, cigar smokers throughout the entire world took serious notice. Their review says it all. “This is as gorgeous a cigar as you’ll ever see, with a picture-perfect head and a stunning wrapper. But it is the flavor that makes it a classic smoke. The Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos come together to create leather, chocolate and spice notes, and a long, lush finish.”
It’s hard to believe Prensado is over ten years old. Without doubt, this cigar is a masterpiece of construction and blending. If you consider yourself a connoisseur, Prensado must have a place in your humidor.
Wrapper: Trojes, Honduras
Binder Nicaragua
Filler Trojes, Honduras, Nicaragua
See all the Alec Bradley cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
Alec Bradley Maxx is one of this company’s best selling cigars for over 15 years.
With attention to detail, Maxx consists of vintage tobacco leaves from 5 countries. How’s that for a complex blend! With this purpose in mind, this medium to full bodied cigar is produced at the famed Plasencia Cigars S.A. Without a doubt, Maxx’s larger sizes offer smokers a bigger way to get more of what this great cigar has to offer. To explain this, Alan Rubin says it best.”By using tobaccos from five different countries in a large format cigar, I was able to create balance, sweetness and complexity. Sometimes, bigger is better.”
What’s more important are the high ratings and accolades about this fairly priced very tasty smoke. Cigar Aficionado gives it a 91 along with Blind Man’s Puff’s score of 93. And that’s just for starters! See what smokers have been enjoying for so many years to this day. It’s no wonder Maxx is pretty much in every cigar store in the country.
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Maduro
Binder: Costa Rica
Filler: Columbia, Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico
Factory: Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Blender: Alan Rubin
See all the Alec Bradley cigars available at The Cigar Thief HERE
Alec Bradley Lineage is the first edition available in a 70 ring gauge from this cigar maker.
With attention to detail, Lineage contains a blend that has a Honduran wrapper from the Trojes region, a Nicaraguan binder, and a filler blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan tobaccos. It’s important to note that the famed Raices Cubanas in Honduras produces this excellent cigar. Scoring a respectable 90 with Cigar Aficionado, Lineage is another winner for Alec Bradley. Their review is short and sweet. ” Topped with a pigtail cap, this robusto smokes evenly with a clean burn and full draw. It’s a toasty, creamy smoke with some salty elements, a bit of earth and a toffee sweetness.”
So if you’re a fan of big fat ring gauges or not…….Lineage yields a smooth and very enjoyable smoking experience for sure! Any size you choose is a top pick.
Wrapper: Honduran Trojes
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan
See all the Alec Bradley cigars to choose from at The Cigar Thief HERE
Alec Bradley It’s A Girl or Boy editions are the best way to celebrate the birth of a child in the cigar world.
With attention to detail, these cigars have a Connecticut Habano Leaf wrapper encasing Honduran and Nicaraguan tobacco. In fact, this is the same blend in the popular Classic line. With that in mind, there’s no doubt these medium bodied and flavorful smokes will be enjoyed by novices and aficionados as well.
The greatest feature of these is as the picture shows, you can insert your own picture of the new arrival inside the wooden frame on the box top to create a personal touch for you or a recipient to remember forever!
Alec Bradley It’s A Girl is available in the popular 6×50 Toro size in boxes of 20
If you want the Alec Bradley It’s A Boy , get it here!
Origin:Honduras
Wrapper: Connecticut Habano
Filler: Honduran and Nicaraguan
Binder:Honduran
Alec Bradley Connecticut is another welcome addition to this company’s extensive portfolio.
With attention to detail this Connecticut uses an Ecuadorian grown Connecticut Shade wrapper encasing a Honduran/Nicaraguan blend of select lower leaves. The result isn’t a surprise. Cigar Aficionado rates it a respectable score 90. They describe it perfectly. ” An attractive looking cigar with a three-seam cap. Its smoke shows nutty and spicy impressions alongside touches of citrus and sweet wood. The long finish hints of caramel.” With out a doubt, Alec Bradley Connecticut is another winner for sure.
From the Nano petite corona to the traditional Churchill, any one you choose is a top pick.
See all the Alec Bradley cigars to choose from at The Cigar Thief HERE
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan
AJ Fernandez San Lotano Requiem Maduro is one of three blends in the San Lotano lineup.
With attention to detail, the Requiem Maduro consists of a complex three country blend and is the only one with a box pressing of the line. While the folks at Cigar Snob rate it a 91, Cigar Aficionado ups it to 92 with a great description. “Draped in a dark, alluring wrapper, this box-pressed cigar offers notes of cocoa, coffee bean and nuts that meld pleasantly with hints of marzipan and sweet raisins.”
No doubt, if you’re a maduro fan, this one must be in your humidor!
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Honduran
Filler: Nicaraguan, Honduran
Check out other AJ Fernandez cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE!
The AJ Fernandez San Lotano Requiem Habano is the first edition of this very popular line.
Buckle up for this one! Unlike it’s medium to full bodied Maduro sister, this original AJ Fernandez San Lotano Requiem blend is a Cuban style, more full bodied smoke. With attention to detail, this three country blend combined with the ultra rare Brazilian-grown Habano wrapper produces a robust yet balanced flavor via a perfect draw.
The results speak for themselves. Halfwheel rates it a 91 and describes it perfectly. “This cigar impressed the hell out of me. It had such rich flavors and such incredible balance” In fact, Cigar Aficionado gives it the same number with equally kind words. “As this cigar burns it forms a very solid white ash. The easy draw shows floral and woody elements with touches of vanilla and toasted caramel. The finish hints of peanuts.” Needless to say, if you’re a fan of AJ’s cigars, this one is a must try for sure!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Wrapper: Brazilian Habano
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Nicaragua & Honduras
Check out other AJ Fernandez cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE!
The AJ Fernandez Ramon Allones is a true testament to this Grand Master of cigar making.
What’s important to note is that the Ramon Allones brand is still being produced in Cuba. General Cigar, makers of Punch, Macanudo and Partagas produced this brand for years. They turned it over to AJ for a redo in 2021. Without a doubt, the results are spectacular! That is to say, this well balanced full bodied smoke is serious and gets to the point quickly. It’s truly a Cuban Style experience.
To put it another way, Halfwheel rates it a 92 along with Cigar Aficionado. KATMAN gives it a 93 and Blind Man’s Puff scores it at an astounding 94. What more do you need to know about this amazing cigar!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan corojo 99
Filler: Nicaraguan corojo 99 from Jalapa, criollo 98 from Condega, Pueblo Nuevom, hybrid leaf grown in Estelí
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: AJ Fernandez
Check out other AJ Fernandez cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE!
AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial is another amazing cigar from this great company.
With attention to detail, this incredible blend has taken years to create and AJ uses the best tobacco from his various select farms in Esteli, Nicaragua. In short, it is a profound expression of this region’s greatest tobacco. With this in mind, the Puro Especial is totally unique from the original and Connecticut series.
All you really need to know about this spectacular medium to full bodied smoke is this: Cigar Aficionado rates it a 93 with the best description yet. “Each puff of this dark cigar unfolds layer after rich layer of chocolate and leather intonations, balanced by lively notes of coffee bean, caramel and licorice”. And being named in the top 25 cigars of the year doesn’t hurt either!
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Criollo ’98
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez
Blender: AJ Fernandez
Check out other AJ Fernandez cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE!
AJ Fernandez Enclave Habano is a very unique addition to the popular Enclave line.
When the Enclave line was launched in 2016 and garnered a 92 rating along with being named one of years top 25 cigars, most of us weren’t surprised. What did get everyone’s attention was why this brand tastes so amazingly different than his other entries.
With attention to detail, the use of a Cameroon binder combined with leaves from AJ’s personal stash including a rarely used Rosado wrapper sets this cigar apart. This a medium to full bodied Cuban style smoke that maintaining its balance to the finish. In short, if you fancy yourself a fan of AJ, the Enclave Habano will climb to the top of your list.
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Rosado
Binder: African Cameroon
Filler: AJ Fernandez Select Nicaraguan, AJ Fernandez Nicaraguan Piloto Cubano
Check out other AJ Fernandez cigars available on The Cigar Thief HERE!
