Company to extend line with New World Connecticut
(Miami, Florida) April 22, 2015— Earlier today, A.J. Fernandez Cigars announced the imminent release of the New World Connecticut. The unique blend was created after a positive response from both public and critics since unveiling the existing New World line at the 2014 IPCPR tradeshow. The original line received honors as the Number 1 Cigar in the World 2014 from Cigar Journal Magazine.
We originally published details about the New World back in July 2014, which included details about the blend and the story behind it. A.J. Fernandez said: “The New World cigar was a very special project as it was the first cigar that was created with the help of my father Ismael Fernandez since he joined me at A.J. Fernandez Cigars. I am more than thrilled that the public reception has been so positive, that it has once again allowed us, as father and son to create the New World Connecticut.”
The New World Connecticut features a U.S.A-grown Connecticut Shade wrapper, Mexican San Andres binder, and filler leaf from Nicaragua and Brazil, and has been blended as a medium bodied cigar. Unlike the original, the New World Connecticut will not be box pressed. The company describes it as having “notes of cream, wood, and almonds in a very well balanced and refined cigar.”
The MSRP for the New World Connecticut will stay in line with the original New World at six dollars, and it will be available in 20 count boxes. Four vitolas are set to be released:
CORONA GORDA 5 ½ X 46
ROBUSTO 5 x 50
TORO 6 x 52
BELICOSO: 6 x 54
The New World Connecticut will begin shipping in May.
ABOUT A.J. FERNANDEZ CIGARS:
A.J. Fernandez Cigars is based on the rich tradition of the Fernandez cigar legacy. A.J. Fernandez produces unparalleled, hand-rolled cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua, which have garnered numerous top ratings and acclaim from cigar publications and consumers alike. Today he continues the family legacy as he oversees production and manages the day to day operations in his factory in Estelí.
For media inquiries please contact Creativas Group Public Relations via: [email protected].
At first light, there’s a crisp, tannic note that brings a moderate tropical spice through the nose. While I’m not the biggest fan of Connecticut wrapper, from time to time I do enjoy the sharp flavor it brings. I also tend to really enjoy the room note of this leaf – which bears true with today’s stick. The burn was generally well behaved for this cigar, and I can’t really say that I had to do much in the way of maintenance. Just an occasional brush with the lighter kept it in check. Once I got into the second inch of the Nestor Miranda Connecticut, the profile had settled into a sweeter range. The tropical spice persisted, with a bit of cedar thrown in for good measure. By the time I approached the end of the cigar, it was losing most of its spicy character while the sweetness continued to build. This sweetness finished brilliantly, with a definite butterscotch bent to it. In what is one of the stranger flavor pairs, there was an occasional wisp of cinnamon as well during this final portion. A strong performance, with a tasty finish.
The wrapper on the Nestor Miranda Habano is a bit dryer to the touch than the Connecticut, with some micro-tooth throughout. There’s almost no aroma from either foot or wrapper. The cigar is evenly packed with neither soft nor dense spots. Veins are moderate, and seams barely visible. Coloration is medium brown and evenly distributed. Like the Connecticut, the cold draw produces little flavor to speak of. The draw on this example is slightly tight.
The Nestor Miranda Maduro, like its Habano brother, fires up with little spice at its outset. The early core flavors are bready with just a touch of a sweet, toasty character. I was a little surprised by this. Although I knew the blends were reportedly different in each of the three offerings, I felt like the Connecticut and Habano followed a common palette – or family – of flavors. The maduro seems more unique in this respect, providing a decidedly different experience. By the time I arrive at the second inch of the cigar, the smoke production has become strained. The cigar nearly went out a couple of times, but would revive with a quick puff. Flavors at this point remain similar to the early portion, but take a noticeably more astringent turn nearing the final third. This continued to build through to the end. The draw was tighter than I would usually prefer throughout this cigar, and I believe it may have slightly overheated due to my trying to overcome its tendency to resist staying alight.
Earlier this year, General Cigar released 
Going into the second third of the Punch Signature brings further development of the chile pepper flavor without a measurable change in the nasal spice on retrohale. As the chile takes a more prominent role, the earlier almond flavor subsides, which brings in more sweetness. This provides a very entertaining chili-chocolate combination that brings 
Going into the second inch, the Dark Rituals really begins to mature, showing a depth of flavor that I had not expected. The sweet, leathery profile has intensified and settled into a comfortable pitch. There are erratic inclusions of a nebulous citrus flavor that are fleeting but very charming when they show. I did have some issue with the burn wanting to wander. This never grew to a point that was catastrophic to the experience, but regular touch ups were required throughout the length of both examples smoked for this review.
In July of 2014, we featured the Trinidad Ingenios Edición Limitada as our Cigar of the Week on 
Unlike most reviews here on Half Ashed, I have not had two of this particular line in quick succession; they were spaced three-quarters of a year apart. Nonetheless, I wanted to know how the two would compare. I had a different-than-expected experience during the show, and wanted to see if the same would hold true today.
The initial puffs from the Trinidad Ingenios are almost floral. It reminds me of the “Old Timers’” pipe tobacco blends with their hints of anisette. The floral character continued to sweeten, becoming almost like some sort of honeyed confectionery. This would endure throughout the first third and into the second, and is a radical difference from what I experienced when we smoked these in 2014.
I recently received a couple samples of the seasonal Punch Rare Corojo release, which made its return in February. This year, the line sees two extensions – a permanent addition in the form of a 6.5” x 66 “El Diablo,” and a limited 6.75” x 56 tapered “Rare Lapiz.” Today we’re looking at the “El Diablo,” which retails for about $8.25 per cigar and will be packaged in the typical wooden cabinet box. The “Rare “Lapiz” will be available for a limited time and in special ten-count boxes.
The initial puffs from this year’s Punch Rare Corojo are colored by a nice, sweetened-coffee flavor. The draw is near perfect, although smoke production is inconsistent during the early minutes. This Café Cubano flavor tendency would continue throughout the first third of each cigar. By the second third, a clean, almost minty flavor has peeked through a few times, but is still accompanied by the coffee. There is a bit of spice on the retrohale. The ash is generally well behaved, but prone to flaking and did fall prematurely a couple of times over the two samples smoked. The strength built during the midsection, but universally remained well within the medium range for my tastes. As the cigar progressed toward its final portion, the profile became more leathery, while continuing with the sweetness. The finish carries this sweetness as well, which was a nice surprise. Only during the final moments of the marathon 2.5 hour smoke session did the El Diablo give even a hint of being “done.” Some (very slight) burnt notes were the only indicator that it was time to put the cigar down.
