AJ Fernandez Last Call Maduro Pequenas Cigar Review

Last Call comes to us from AJ Fernandez, and the cigar which is made in small viola’s is designed for the first cigar in the morning with a cup of coffee, or as the last cigar of the evening after an enjoyable dinner. For me, it’s the Last Call before I head out on vacation this weekend. Don’t worry though we will still have some cigar reviews next week as I will be re-posting some of the cigars I have taken with me on my trip.

Cigar Review: Last Call by AJ Fernandez
Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 5
Ring Gauge: 46
Size: Pequenas (Corona)

The Look: The AJ Fernandez Last Call Maduro comes packaged in a black cabinet style box. It also has a groove cut into the box where you can place the lid once you slide the box open. This is a feature that in my opinion all cabinet style boxes should have. It’s a small detail, but it is retailer friendly, and if you are like me and like to display your boxes open in your personal humidor it makes it easy to do so. The cigar which features a Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper has a few veins, and is rustic in appearance. It’s not oily by any means, and feels coarse under the fingers. In the hand the cigar is firm without any voids, and the foot of the cigar is covered.

The Notes: The cold draw of the cigar offers some subtle sweetness a cashew like nuttiness, while the aroma off the cigar has a hint of spice to it along with a subtle cedar component.

With a covered foot I break tradition, wanting to pull on the flame so I can get the initial notes of the wrapper. For me, this was heaven as I love Pennsylvania Broadleaf and wish more manufacturers had worked with it. There is some notes of black pepper, and a mineral like component from the leaf that for me is synonymous with the wrapper. As we progress through the first third, some nuances of leather and charred wood.

The second third sees the pepper notes subside as a molasses like sweetness slowly develops alongside some leather components. The retrohale offers up a citrus like component similar to orange rind and some spicy goodness that tingles the nostrils. As the second third closes some of the cashews from the cold draw makes its way into the mix.

The last third seems the cashew notes develop further becoming the dominant flavor profile with continued elements of molasses and charred wood. The citrus on the retrohale has faded as leather and black pepper linger on the finish of this cigar from AJ Fernandez.

The Finish: For me Pennsyvania Broadleaf has a very distinct flavor profile, and that profile shines on the Last Call by AJ Fernandez. While the sizes might not be the most popular with the masses, it works with the backstory of the cigar. At the price, I expect to smoke these on a regular basis any time of the day.

Score: 90
Price: $6.19 / $134.99