{"product_id":"aj-fernandez-new-world-puro-especial","title":"AJ FERNANDEZ NEW WORLD PURO ESPECIAL","description":"\u003cp\u003eCigar: A.J. Fernandez New World Puro Especial\u003cbr\u003eSize: Toro, 6½ x 52\u003cbr\u003eOrigin: Nicaragua\u003cbr\u003eWrapper: Nicaraguan Habano\u003cbr\u003eBinder: Nicaraguan\u003cbr\u003eFiller: Nicaraguan\u003cbr\u003eStrength: Medium to Full\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a true Nicaraguan puro, with the tobacco sourced from Estelí. The blend was developed by A.J. Fernandez and his father, Ismael, and uses aged tobaccos from Fernandez farms. The Toro earned 93 points and No. 12 in Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars of 2017. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Experience\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Puro Especial is a cigar that delivers exactly what you expect from an Estelí puro: pepper, earth, wood, coffee and roasted character, but with enough sweetness and nuttiness to keep it from becoming one dimensional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has that unmistakable A.J. Fernandez DNA. Bold without being reckless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst Third\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe opening comes in with black pepper and cedar, followed quickly by earth and roasted coffee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a slight mineral quality underneath the smoke that gives it depth. Retrohale brings the pepper forward considerably, while the finish develops a subtle cocoa and nut character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Toro starts with authority.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSecond Third\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is where the cigar really settles in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pepper begins to soften and the profile becomes more balanced, bringing forward coffee, cocoa, roasted nuts and cedar. There is a subtle sweetness underneath the darker flavors that keeps the cigar interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe smoke becomes thicker and creamier as the cigar progresses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFinal Third\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final third brings the strength up another notch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDark coffee, earth, pepper and cocoa dominate, with the cedar remaining in the background. The retrohale becomes considerably more intense, but the cigar maintains its balance if you slow your smoking pace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the point where the Puro Especial reminds you that it is still an Estelí puro.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConstruction \u0026amp; Burn\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Toro is generally known for solid construction, with a firm pack and a good draw. A.J. Fernandez’s attention to construction is evident when the cigar is properly stored and prepared. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 6½ x 52 format also gives the blend enough room to evolve without becoming an unnecessarily long commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall Experience\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe New World Puro Especial Toro is a classic example of what A.J. Fernandez does extremely well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is Nicaraguan, bold, earthy, spicy and flavorful, but there is enough coffee, cocoa and nuttiness to keep the experience balanced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the fact that it was a Top 25 cigar of the year wasn’t an accident. This is one of those cigars that has earned its place in the humidor rather than simply riding on the A.J. Fernandez name. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhy It Stands Out\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe biggest selling point is its purity of profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverything comes from Nicaragua, and specifically the Estelí region. You’re getting a very direct expression of Nicaraguan tobacco without another country’s wrapper or filler being used to reshape the profile. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s also a great example of a cigar that can be appreciated by someone who wants complexity without needing a dozen different flavors thrown at them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairing Suggestions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEspresso: Brings out the roasted coffee and cocoa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack coffee: Excellent with the earth and pepper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBourbon: The oak and caramel characteristics complement the darker tobacco notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAged rum: Works particularly well with the cigar’s earthy sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBurnt Leaf Insight\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe New World Puro Especial Toro is one of those cigars that deserves to be smoked slowly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDon’t chase the smoke. Let the Estelí tobacco do the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a straight-up Nicaraguan cigar with character, and at 6½ x 52, the Toro gives you enough smoking time to watch that character evolve from pepper and cedar into coffee, cocoa, earth and roasted nuts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementToProof\"\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"elementToProof\"\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Burnt Leaf Lounge","offers":[{"title":"SINGLE","offer_id":47145705930951,"sku":"810194081118","price":14.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"BOX OF 20","offer_id":47145705963719,"sku":null,"price":199.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0724\/6535\/files\/18d41bd1-91d9-42cf-9fca-f89cc822fc2f.png?v=1789064869","url":"https:\/\/www.theburntleaflounge.com\/products\/aj-fernandez-new-world-puro-especial","provider":"The Burnt Leaf Lounge","version":"1.0","type":"link"}