Ten years into the New World series, AJ Fernandez marks the occasion with a cigar that shows what a decade of refinement looks like. This is full-bodied Nicaraguan tobacco rolled at the San Lotano factory, built for smokers who want strength with structure.
Construction: The blend starts with a San Andrés Maduro wrapper, dark and oily, covering a Nicaraguan binder and a filler mix of Nicaraguan and Honduran leaf. Everything comes from AJ's own farms, so the tobacco has the consistency you expect from a vertically integrated operation.
Flavor: Right off the light, you get dark chocolate and espresso, the kind of bitter richness that Maduro wrappers do well. The first third brings in leather and black pepper, building intensity without going harsh. Mid-smoke, cedar starts to show up alongside a subtle dried-fruit sweetness that keeps the profile from becoming one-dimensional. The strength stays consistent throughout, landing firmly in the full-bodied range.
Pairings: A peaty Scotch holds up to the smoke and adds another layer of complexity, while a well-aged bourbon smooths out the sharper edges. On the non-alcohol side, espresso doubles down on the coffee notes, and dark chocolate truffles bring out that dried-fruit sweetness in the second half.
Save this one for after dinner when you have an hour and want something substantial. The Decenio delivers the power AJ Fernandez is known for, with enough nuance to keep you interested from start to finish.
- Strength:
- Full
- Wrapper:
- Mexican San Andres Maduro
- Binder:
- Nicaragua
- Filler:
- Honduran and Nicaraguan
