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Blind Review: H. Upmann Nicaragua AJ Fernandez Heritage Toro

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Master blender AJ Fernandez released his second interpretation of the H.Upamnn line, this time utilizing a dark Brazilian mata fina wrapper with Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. I’ve had many blends from AJ, and I’m always impressed that he can create such distinct and varied profiles.

Blend Specifics

  • Cigar Reviewed: H. Upmann Nicaragua AJ Fernandez Heritage Toro
  • Wrapper: Brazilian
  • Binder: Nicaraguan
  • Filler: Nicaraguan
  • Size: 6” x 54 (Toro)

Blind Cigar Review: H. Upmann Nicaragua AJ Fernandez Heritage Toro

Appearance and Construction

This cigar has an extremely dark somewhat molted wrapper. It is very hard in its roll and there is no give when I put pressure on it. I notice the filler tobacco is much lighter than the wrapper which creates a contrast in color. There are some slight veins and the foot smells charry without much else to offer.

Taste and Smoking Characteristics

I make a precise cut with my guillotine blade and the cold draw delivers an overwhelming blast of red pepper. As I toast the cigar and take a puff I am hit with full flavors of earth and pencil lead upfront. A dark wrapper on a cigar does not always mean that it will be strong however this blend is doing just that. Taking a more cautious draw, there’s cocoa, raisin, and a barnyard finish. The retrohale on this toro stings my nostrils a bit with red pepper flakes, cumin, and earth.  The burn line is razor sharp and the quality in the construction is evident.  Chocolate begins to intermingle with oak leaving a short woody finish. The body is in the full range from the start.

The toro begins its journey midway with salt and leather toning down some of the more direct and intense flavors than previously. There’s gingersnap, coffee, and charred oak on the back end. The billow of smoke clouds in front of me as it burns is creating a dense setting. Another retrohale and the fullness returns with wood and earth dominating the flavor profile and leaves a bitter finish. I’ve picked up some more raisinated notes again which become more pronounced which each puff. Leather, oak, and cumin proceed with a slow draw that ends bitter. The short finishes seem to be commonplace with this toro.

The burn line remains even on the final third which is a nod to the construction of the cigar. There are more charry notes along with salt and oak that remains pervasive throughout. I’m picking up leather and burnt espresso bean which is intense and bitter. The retrohale has hay, toast, and an acidic finish. Spice adds to the profile picking a stronger end to the toro. The flame go es out on its own and I’m putting the cigar to rest.

Conclusion

AJ Fernandez has created an expansive profile of cigars and blends. This Heritage toro came on strong with pepper which was a little much to start off. There was some nice notes of cumin, earth, oak and hay although the finish remained consistently short not allowing a lot of lingering on the palate. The chariness also became acidic which left bitter taste on my tongue. I would suggest trying another of AJ’s blends however if you want a full-bodied cigar, A spirit pairing would help to round out this smokes rougher edges.

Final Rating: 88

Blind Review: H. Upmann Herman’s Batch

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The H. Upmann Herman’s Batch is an additional line in Altadis U.S.A.’s profile paying tribute to the German banker Hermann Upmann who created the H. Upmann brand in Cuba in 1844. This is not the Cuban incarnation as it uses an Ecuadorian wrapper and Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers, but this is still an homage to the man by way of a collaboration between Rafael Nodal and the Grupo de Maestros at Tabacalera de Garcia in La Romana.

Visually I like the look of the Herman’s Batch, but of course with blind smoking the proof is in the puffing!

Blend Specifics

Appearance and Construction

The H. Upmann Herman’s Batch is draped in a dark and oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The cap has an elongated piece of wrapper that looks like a fuse running along the side of the cigar. The foot smells of barnyard and oolong tea. 

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

My Xikar cutter gives a sharp straight clip and I take a dry draw that is slightly firm with raisins, hay and barnyard notes. As I use my single flame Xikar EX and take a puff, I’m hit with full bodied ligero and a blast of pepper. The intensity soon subsides and a more toasty and woody profile emerges. On the retrohale rich black coffee and and spices come through with an oaky finish.

At midway the H. Upmann Herman’s Batch introduces leather, coffee and honeyed notes that remain on the palate for a bit. The razor sharp burn line and white ash show the admirable construction of the cigar. A few puffs later, lead and a vanilla bean sweetness emerge while the profile hovers at a medium strength. Another retrohale delivers wood with cinnamon tingling the nostrils.

As the final third of the cigar comes around, the smoke develops cereal notes surrounded by an earthy quality. The medium profile continues along with chocolate, toast and graphite on the finish. The draw then seems to open up as the cigar burns down and ample amounts of smoke flourish through the air. The coffee comes back–more like cafe au lait than rich espresso–along with toast that creates a fine finish to the medium bodied cigar. An easy smoking toro.

Conclusion

The H. Upmann Herman’s Batch shows the true highlights of a Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. When done like it is here, I very much enjoy it. Although the full bodied ligero blast of tobacco was a bit much to start, the cigar segued into toast and coffee which was excellent. The leather and honeyed notes showed a tasty evolution and the toasty finish enhanced its medium profile.

This was the first H. Upmann Herman’s Batch I’ve smoked and I can say Rafael’s assistance in the blend made it more memorable for me and once again shows the craftsmanship he puts into everything he does. I would seek this size out and a box purchase would be a sound investment.

Final Rating: 90