Casa Fernandez Arsenio Maduro

Today's review is of the Casa Fernandez Arsenio Maduro. This robusto measures in at 5 1/4x54 and is a Nicaraguan Puro. Casa Fernandez is getting a bit more recognition lately, and after smoking plenty of the Aganorsa Leaf I am anxious to try another blend from this company. If I am not mistaken, this is a semi limited release and comes in boxes of 10. 

The Arsenio Maduro is very dark cigar with a very solid feel to it. This is one of those cigars that when squeezed, doesn't have much give to it at all. The rounded cap and wrapper seem to be applied very nicely and I can't find any imperfections in the wrapper or construction. The wrapper has a slightly rough feel to it, but has some nice oils present. Once clipped, the draw is perfect and the prelight flavor is of heavy barnyard and earth with some cedar. Once lit the Arsenio Maduro starts out with very smooth flavors of mocha and deep earth with some lighter cedar flavors. There is a small amount of spice in the background, but it's not as noticable as it is in a lot of other Nicarguan cigars. This has what I consider to be a darker flavor profile, like a roasty and creamy Stout beer. There is some sweetness mixed in with the darker flavors as well, making for a nice balance. Maduro's can be hit or miss with me, I find some of them just take on a typical maduro flavor and get boring, but this one isn't doing that at all. While this has some classic maduro flavors (the rich coffee, chocolate and earth) it is exciting on the palate. The ash hung on for an inch without any problem and the burn has been nice and even. 

At the halfway point the dark coffee and chocolate flavors are still very upfront, with more of the cedar creeping in around the edges. This is a very smooth cigar and is burning quite nicely. There is some zestyness on the finish that I didn't notice before. This is a full bodied/flavored cigar with a medium amount of strength. This is one of those cigars that would be fine after lunch but could still be enjoyed after a big dinner with drinks. The bands on this cigar are nice and loose, which is always appreciated when it comes time to remove them. I wouldn't say this is a complex cigar, but I am enjoying the full flavors it is delivering. The final third of this cigar delivers some sweetness and has stayed full flavored and at a medium strength. 

The Casa Fernandez Arsenio Maduro was pretty good! If you are a fan of maduros, this one really delivers classic maduro flavors without just being another typical maduro. The maduro flavor profile isn't one I want to smoke all of the time, but when I do its nice knowing this one is an option that will deliver exactly what I want when I am in the mood for a maduro. This cigar sells for between $6-$7, which I find very reasonable for what it delivers. 

Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf

My first review of 2011 is the Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf Torpedo! For some reason I thought I had already reviewed this cigar (probably because I have smoked a handful of these recently) but I was mistaken. The Casa Fernandez is blended by Arsenio Ramos and the tobacco is from the Aganorsa Farm in Esteli/Jalapa/Condega. This is a box pressed Nicaraguan Puro with a 2006 Sun Grown Corojo Wrapper. I am smoking the 6.5 X 52 Torpedo, but this also comes in a Robusto and Toro. These sell in boxes of 15. 

This box pressed cigar has leathery wrapper that has a rustic look to it and a few veins running the length of the cigar. This is a very solidly rolled cigar with very little give to it when squeezed. The aroma at the foot shows a little bit of cocoa and barnyard with some nose tingling spice. The prelight draw tastes of sweet hay. The draw has just the right amount of resistance to it. After lighting, the first few draws show leathery and toasted nut flavors. After getting into this Aganorsa leaf a little bit more,  cedar and a little bit of cocoa join the flavor profile. The retrohale brings out the nuttyness of this cigar and just a little bit of spice. The core flavor of this cigar is really nice, and reminds me just a little bit of Illusione, which isn't surprising because Illusione also uses leaf from the Fernandez farms. This is a nice smooth cigar and is burning slow and even. The firm ash fell just after an inch. This is a full bodied cigar and the strength seems to be building. 

At the halfway point the flavors are pretty much the same if not a little darker. It is worth mentioning that the retrohale is now much more intense than it was towards the beginning, with the spice being very pronounced through the sinuses. As I reach the final third, the flavor profile has turned to more of a savory one with some of that charred meat flavor, which I really enjoy in a cigar. The strength continues to build all the way to the end but it never gets to the point that it overpowers the great flavors coming out of this cigar.

If you haven't had a chance to try the Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf you are missing out! This is one of those cigars that might get overlooked on the shelves of your local shop. They don't have any fancy packaging but once you smoke it you won't forget about it! If you enjoy full flavored Nicaraguan cigars like Illusione then this one won't disappoint. I picked up the Torpedo at Burning Leaf for $7.70, which is a great pricepoint for this cigar. I will be picking up a box of these in the future. I might go with either the Toro or Robusto though. All three sizes smoke great, I just prefer the other two over the torpedo.