My First Run with the Montecristo by AJ Fernandez

Cigar Reviewed: Montecristo Crafted by AJ Fernandez

Smoked at: Long Beach, Mississippi

Montecristo Crafted by AJ Fernandez – First Impressions

Cut at 8:56 AM \| Toasted and lit at 8:58 AM

Format: Robusto (5x52, box-pressed)

Wrapper: Dark Nicaraguan

Origin: Nicaragua

Pre-light

The cigar sports a dark, oily wrapper with a toothy texture and solid construction. Cold draw brings earthy barnyard, faint dried fruit, and a dusting of pepper on the lips. It smells like it means business.

First Light

Toasted clean and lit with almost no effort. Barely had to put flame to it after the toast. Hopefully that is not a sign it is dried out, but at this point it does not seem to be. First few draws deliver mild pepper, earth, and a subtle dried fruit note. Not sweet, but something lingering just shy of it. Solid start with a little mystery brewing underneath.

First Third

Black pepper and earth come through right away. The initial draw hits hard with pepper, but it fades quickly and blends into a deeper mix of earth and unsweetened cocoa. Dried fruit lingers quietly in the background, faint but present. There is also a slight nuttiness starting to show up.

For something with this kind of punch, it is more mellow than expected. The strength leans medium to full, but the delivery is smooth. Nothing harsh or overwhelming. AJ brought the power, but he wrapped it in a balanced, well-blended package. Probably better suited for later in the day, but we are committed now.

Burn is holding steady with just a slight wave, no touch-ups needed. Ash is grey and a little flaky, which is pretty typical for a Nicaraguan blend like this one. Not your classic Montecristo by any stretch. This one has grit and refinement all in the same draw.

Second Third

Not much shift in profile from the first third, but that is not a complaint. The blend stays steady, with earth, cocoa, a touch of dried fruit, and a smooth finish that keeps it from feeling heavy on the palate. What stands out most is how mellow the smoke remains, especially for a cigar with this kind of strength behind it.

The nicotine is starting to land a bit more in this stretch. Heavier than what I usually reach for, but the draw is so smooth and the flavor so consistent that it is easy to keep going. Toward the end of this third, the burn line is off a bit. Not wild, just slightly uneven. I might touch it up, but I am hesitant to do that this late unless it becomes necessary. It does not feel like it is affecting the experience at all.

Heading into the final third, I am locked in. This has been a wonderful smoke so far. Rich, steady, and surprisingly approachable given the punch it packs. If you are not used to heavier nicotine, I recommend keeping a sugar packet or a good hard candy nearby. It is a small thing, but it can make a big difference.

Final Third

As I moved into the final third, I noticed the smoke output starting to dip just a bit. The draw was still fine, but it felt like the burn needed a nudge. I went ahead and touched it up, carefully introduced the cigar to the flame, and let it barely kiss the unburnt wrapper. That was all it needed. Burn line corrected, smoke output back to where it should be. Just like that, this cigar was great again.

The flavor has remained consistent, staying true to the rich core it built from the start. Earth, cocoa, and a little pepper have reemerged near the nub, reminding me this is still very much an AJ Fernandez blend. The strength, however, is starting to climb. Nicotine is ramping up, and I could easily put this down right now and walk away satisfied with a good smoke. But I would not be giving this review a fair shake. I am opting to continue and follow my own advice. One sugar packet later, I am back on track and pushing through the finish.

I finished with about an inch and a quarter nub. I just do not like it when a cigar begins to heat up too much. That is just my preference. I may have a bit of a nicotine buzz. It is not something I crave typically, but the sugar did tone it down enough to be enjoyable. This may not be an issue for the seasoned smoker, but I have never smoked a cigar for any type of fix. That is what keeps smoking enjoyable for me. I do not need it. I enjoy the ritual.

Final Thoughts

The Montecristo Crafted by AJ Fernandez is one of the best new-to-me cigar experiences I have had in a while. I would love to keep a couple of these robustos on hand for after a good steak dinner. This would also make an ideal cooler weather smoke. It is bold, smooth, and full of flavor, and the strength never outweighs the balance.

Rating: 91

Breakdown

Flavor: 33/35 – Excellent blend of earth, cocoa, and subtle fruit with consistent balance throughout.

Construction: 18/20 – Well-built with a great draw and only minor burn correction needed.

Burn: 18/20 – Slight wave, one late touch-up, but no issues affecting the experience.

Strength and Balance: 9/10 – Medium to full strength, but well managed with mellow delivery.

Enjoyment: 13/15 – Nicotine strength could be a lot for some, but overall this was a rich, rewarding smoke.