AJ Fernandez Blows us away With the 20th Anniversary
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
There’s a certain expectation when a brand stamps “20th Anniversary” on a cigar, this isn’t supposed to be just good, it’s supposed to be a statement. With the AJ Fernandez 20th Anniversary, what you get is something a bit more measured: a beautifully executed cigar that leans heavily into the brand’s strengths, but stops just short of rewriting the script.
From the moment you take it out of the box, it looks the part. The dark, oily wrapper has that rich, almost lacquered sheen. Its tightly packed… and I mean p a c k e d. The black-and-gold band telegraphs exactly what this is meant to be, which for A.J. is a milestone piece. The cedar sleeve adds a touch of ceremony, even if it flirts with theatrics. Construction, as expected from AJ, is impeccable. Clip the end to admire the amount of Puro jammed into this thing and marvel at how the draw is effortless. The burn line razor-clean and the ash holds with quiet confidence. Technically, it’s hard to find fault.
On the first light, the cigar opens with an inviting richness of espresso with cocoa leading the charge, supported by a subtle cherry sweetness that gives the profile a rounded, almost dessert-like edge without tipping into excess. It’s an engaging start, one that suggests there might be real depth ahead. As the cigar moves into its middle third, it settles into a more familiar rhythm. The sweetness fades, replaced by deeper, darker coffee notes, while slight pepper begins to build and cedar and leather emerge underneath. This is classic AJ Fernandez territory. It’s bold, earthy, and unmistakably Nicaraguan. It’s well-balanced and satisfying, though not particularly surprising, because at $25.00 a stick, A.J. knows how to deliver.
By the final third, the cigar leans further into strength. The pepper sharpens, the earthiness intensifies, and the coffee notes take on a slightly bitter edge. For some, this will read as a powerful, fitting crescendo; for others, it may feel like the blend loses a bit of its earlier finesse. Either way, it’s a finish that favors intensity over nuance. I found the second and third length to taste somewhat the same, but it may have been the whiskey talking. A great pairing.
In terms of body, the cigar moves from medium into a firm medium-full, with a nicotine presence that builds more than it announces itself. It’s smooth enough throughout, but it’s not a casual smoke, you do feel it by the end.
What ultimately defines the AJ Fernandez 20th Anniversary is how confidently it delivers what it sets out to do. The construction is nearly flawless, the flavor profile is rich and consistent, and there are moments (particularly early on) where the interplay of cocoa, coffee, and subtle sweetness hints at something more layered.
And yet, at its price point, that “something more” is exactly what you begin to look for. This is a cigar that executes beautifully within a familiar framework, rather than pushing beyond it. For longtime fans of AJ Fernandez, that will likely be enough. For those expecting a once-in-a-generation blend, it may feel just a touch restrained, but we know there is always more with him.
The AJ Fernandez 20th Anniversary is a very good cigar, polished and confident in its identity. It simply chooses refinement over risk and we love it all. Depending on what you’re looking for, that may either be exactly right… or just shy of memorable.
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