Casa Fernandez Aganorsa Leaf Robusto Extra (Box-Pressed)

Casa Fernandez has been producing some the best ultra-premium tobaccos for close to three decades. With the likes of Alec Bradley and Illusione using their tobaccos, Casa Fernandez now are using their award-winning tobaccos to create their own stellar masterpieces. The Aganorsa Leaf you have in your shipment today is a prime example. Named after Casa Fernandez’s Aganorsa farm, this premium puro features a glistening, oily, Corojo Sun Grown wrapper that was harvested in 2006. Underneath, this stunner securely holds a Nicaraguan binder and a bevy of vintage long-fillers, all from the Aganorsa farm, which is then box-pressed to perfection. Together, this medium to full bodied smoke lends heady notes of toasted wood, chocolate, and caramel. Cigar Aficionado gave this smoke a well-deserved 93 rating and our panel couldn’t agree more. They also recommended pairing this puro with a scotch.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world.

The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.