Man O’ War Armada Toro Grande is the ultra-premium flagship cigar of the Man O’ War brand. While they didn’t necessarily “put him on the map,” so to speak, AJ Fernandez can certainly credit a huge chunk of his immense success to Man O’ War Cigars, a brand that started out as more of an under-the-radar cult favorite. Over the years, the brand grew, new sizes and sub-brands were introduced, and Fernandez started gaining huge momentum. Eventually, the “big stick” for Man O’ War came out, one with the best tobacco Fernandez had to offer, rolled by the most skilled hands at his world-class factory in Nicaragua. That stick would be called Armada Toro Grande, a 6 ½” x 56 monster of a cigar using the some of the finest Nicaraguan filler and binder tobacco on the planet. The wrapper is a dark, luxurious Ecuador Sumatra leaf that only ups the ante of the unusual power of the blend. When Armada was introduced, people really started paying attention to Man O’ War and Fernandez alike, and the rest is history.
Built to the exacting details preferred by AJ Fernandez, Man O’ War Armada is delicately constructed using nearly seamless rolling. The wrapper is toothy and oily, the band itself screams both luxury and power, depicting a golden centurion’s helmet on a jet-black background. A soft, plentiful draw produces billowing clouds of thick smoke as the thick Ecuadorian wrapper leaf forms a razor sharp burn line. Initially, a massive explosion of spicy white pepper dominates the flavor profile. The beginning strength is enormous, and hangs around throughout the entire smoke. Progressing, notes of cedar and coffee are mingled it with the unmistakable earthy raw tobacco foundation. The finish is quite intense, but overall the flavor profile is clean, balanced, and smooth, much like many other full-bodied sticks from AJ Fernandez.
Not a beginners’ cigar by any means, Man O’ War Armada is crafted for experienced cigar fanatics with discriminating taste. The price tag might be on the steep side, but we promise it’s well worth it. All things considered, a cigar of this caliber can cost many times more, and many indeed do. This full-bodied beast pairs well with bourbon or dark beer and burns slow and long. Long before cigars like Hoyo La Amistad or Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez stood in the spotlight, Man O’ War Armada Toro Grande was the big shot. Many cigar freaks may not have had the pleasure of experiencing this Nicaraguan delight, but the good news is that it’s still produced in limited batches each year, and now available right here at Cigar Place. Do you have what it takes to take on an Armada?
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