A. J. Fernandez Cigars
Encyclopedia
Tabacalera Fernandez, best known to the English-speaking world as A.J. Fernandez Cigars, is a makers of cigars primarily grown and produced in Nicaragua
and sold worldwide. The company is run by Abdel J. Fernandez, a third generation cigarmaker, and is a prominent manufacturer of cigars sold under a variety of labels, including "Man O'War," "Diesel," and "La Herencia Cubana."
, where Abdel's grandfather started the San Lotano brand.
Abdel was a protegé of Alejandro Robaina
.
A.J. Fernandez (born March 1979) first earned his stripes as the manufacturer of the brands "Man O'War" and "Diesel" for sale by mailorder retail giant Cigars International and its associated companies. Man O'War, introduced nationally in the United States in 2009, is a medium-to-full bodied blend that quickly developed what contemporary cigar historian Richard B. Perelman has described as a "near cult status." In 2010 two new additions were made to the brand, a mild-to-medium product wrapped in a claro colored leaf called Man O'War Virtue, and a full-bodied product wrapped in a colorado-maduro leaf called Man O'War Ruination. In 2011 a new blend made as a classic Cuban-sized corona with a ragged foot called the Man O'War Puro Authentico was introduced as well as a limited-production super premium called Man O'War Armada.
The Diesel line, also launched in 2009, initially consisted of a single vitola — a thick 5-inch belicoso that the company called the "Unholy Cocktail." This was later supplemented by an even-shorter 60-ring robusto called the "Shorty." A second full-bodied blend, called Diesel Unlimited, was launched in 2010 in 4 vitolas, including a massive 7-inch, 60-ring double corona.
In the summer of 2010, Fernandez revived the long-discontinued San Lotano brand which was previously made by his grandfather in Cuba in the years before the Cuban Revolution
of 1959.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
and sold worldwide. The company is run by Abdel J. Fernandez, a third generation cigarmaker, and is a prominent manufacturer of cigars sold under a variety of labels, including "Man O'War," "Diesel," and "La Herencia Cubana."
Forerunners
A.J. Fernandez Cigars traces its roots back to San Luís, CubaSan Luis, Pinar del Río
San Luis is a municipality and city in the Pinar del Río Province of Cuba. It is centered mainly on agriculture , stock raising....
, where Abdel's grandfather started the San Lotano brand.
Abdel was a protegé of Alejandro Robaina
Alejandro Robaina
Alejandro Robaina was a Cuban tobacco grower.-Biography:Robaina was born in Alquízar in La Habana Province of Cuba but he grew up and lived most of his life in the renowned tobacco-growing Vuelta Abajo district of Pinar del Río Province where his family had been growing tobacco since 1845...
.
Development
Tabacalera Fernandez started in a decrepit facility in Estelí, Nicaragua with just six rollers. Rather than launching his own brand from the start, Fernandez first established himself as a manufacturer of cigars for other companies, such as the Rocky Patel Summer Blend 2008, which was produced in Fernandez's "Tafenic" factory in Estelí.A.J. Fernandez (born March 1979) first earned his stripes as the manufacturer of the brands "Man O'War" and "Diesel" for sale by mailorder retail giant Cigars International and its associated companies. Man O'War, introduced nationally in the United States in 2009, is a medium-to-full bodied blend that quickly developed what contemporary cigar historian Richard B. Perelman has described as a "near cult status." In 2010 two new additions were made to the brand, a mild-to-medium product wrapped in a claro colored leaf called Man O'War Virtue, and a full-bodied product wrapped in a colorado-maduro leaf called Man O'War Ruination. In 2011 a new blend made as a classic Cuban-sized corona with a ragged foot called the Man O'War Puro Authentico was introduced as well as a limited-production super premium called Man O'War Armada.
The Diesel line, also launched in 2009, initially consisted of a single vitola — a thick 5-inch belicoso that the company called the "Unholy Cocktail." This was later supplemented by an even-shorter 60-ring robusto called the "Shorty." A second full-bodied blend, called Diesel Unlimited, was launched in 2010 in 4 vitolas, including a massive 7-inch, 60-ring double corona.
Company today
Today the Fernandez factory in Estelí is among the largest in Nicaragua, and produces some 9 million cigars a year.In the summer of 2010, Fernandez revived the long-discontinued San Lotano brand which was previously made by his grandfather in Cuba in the years before the Cuban Revolution
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement against the regime of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista between 1953 and 1959. Batista was finally ousted on 1 January 1959, and was replaced by a revolutionary government led by Castro...
of 1959.
A.J. Fernandez-manufactured products
- 5 Vegas AAA
- A. Fernandez Signature Series
- Ave Maria
- Diesel
- Diesel Unlimited
- Emilio AF-1
- Emilio AF-2
- Est. 1844 Anejado
- GraycliffGraycliff (cigar brand)The Graycliff Cigar Company produces cigars out of the historic Graycliff Inn in Nassau, The Bahamas. The Cigar Company was created by Estate owner Enrico Garzaroli and cigar aficionado Avelino Lara during the late 20th century.-External links:*...
G2 Turbo - Gurkha Park Avenue
- La Herencia Cubana
- La Herencia Cubana Core
- La Herencia Cubana Oscuro Fuerte
- ITC 10th Anniversary
- ITC Signature Summer Blend 2008
- La Cuna Bin No 85
- Man O' War
- Man O' War Armada
- Man O' War Puro Authentico
- Man O' War Ruination
- Man O' War Virtue
- Morro Castle
- Rocky Patel Fusion
- Padilla Habano
- San Lotano
- San Lotano Oval
- San Miguel
- Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet
External links
- Abdel Fernandez Facebook page, facebook.com/ Retrieved September 16, 2010.
- Abdel Fernandez Selecting Cigar Wrappers, youtube.com/ Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- "Tabacalera Fernandez: A Small Start," puff.com/ video. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- Teresa, Interview with A.J. Fernandez of San Lotano Cigars, smokinghotcigarchick.com/ Retrieved September 16, 2010.