Cigar Review: H. Upmann by AJ Fernandez
H. Upmann by AJ Fernandez Cigars
Cigar Review By Jamie Stevens
- Strength: ●●●●○ Medium-Full
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
- Binder: Nicaraguan
- Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
- Origin: Nicaragua
- Rating: 91
The Essence of Summer in a Cigar
There are few things in life that scream summer quite like a long, lazy afternoon, a chilled diet Coke (lame, I know) sweating out in the heat, and a fine cigar burning slowly in your hand. Enter the H. Upmann by AJ Fernandez Churchill—a cigar that seems tailor-made for hammock lounging, backyard bird watching, and gazing at the sun as it melts into the horizon with smug satisfaction.
First Impressions and Construction
From the first glance, this Churchill is a handsome devil. Draped in a sultry Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, it wears its oils like a well-aged suntan—smooth, slightly glossy, and promising a good time. Beneath that lies a robust blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers, orchestrated by AJ Fernandez, who has more creativity in his pinky than I do in my entire body. If this cigar were a summer cocktail, it would be an Old Fashioned with, like, a cool flavor—Biscotti maybe?
Pre-Light and Cold Draw
The cold draw offers notes of cocoa and grass, with some hints of black pepper. Is it very BBQ-like? Possibly. And once you light up—preferably with a wooden match for that added campfire charm—the real fun begins.
First Third: Creamy and Earthy
The first half kicks off with tons of creaminess and Earth tones, with a bit of spice (not much) and some fruity notes. Speaking of this heat, I could really use something to eat that is cold. I am currently out lounging on my patio trying to get a suntan.
Second Third: Evolution of Flavor
At the halfway point, the cigar changes quite a bit with the flavors. A richer leather note comes in, complemented by coffee and nutty flavors. The spice calms down a bit, and the cigar becomes fairly mellow. There is a bit of cinnamon on the retrohale, which makes the cigar a bit more exciting.
Final Third: Smooth and Satisfying
By the final third, the H. Upmann Churchill settles into a pretty calm groove—full-bodied but never overpowering. The smoke stays cool, the burn line impressively straight, and the ash stacks like the paperwork I should be doing for work right now. There’s an Earthy, slightly sweet finish, like when you have the last few sips of your cocktail left and it is mostly water, but still has some sweetness to it. I was pretty sad when it was over, but like all good summer romances, it ends just when it should. Sounds like a teen YA novel, lol.
I really enjoyed this cigar and its complexity.
Bold enough to stay interesting and smooth enough to make you want to smoke it all the way through. Pair it with an Old Fashioned or a strong iced coffee. Either way, you won’t want to miss out!
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About the writer Jamie Stevens
Jamie Stevens is a cigar enthusiast who has contributed both as an influencer and reviewer for close to ten years. She lives in historic York, Pennsylvania, where she works for her local government as a leader involved with the coalition on homelessness. When not working, she enjoys outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, etc.) and spending time with her family. She appreciates all kinds of cigars, from mild-bodied all the way to stronger, full-bodied cigars. She enjoys both the higher-end sticks and the ones on the more affordable side. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook as Cigareyes717, where she has over 19,000 followers!
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