Palacio de Bellas Artes
A.J Fernandez was born in Cuba and learned about the tobacco business first hand from a young age. After gaining vast insights from cigar legend Alejandro Robaina, Abdel J Fernandez headed for Nicaragua intent to create his own brand. You can read more in our blog on AJ Fernandez – A History | Blend 15.
Today we focus on the intriguing Bellas Artes range. Named after the world famous Palacio de Bellas Artes (translated as “the palace of fine arts”) a Mexican institution for culture centred in Mexico City.
An amazing building, built in 1904 its architecture is of the Art Nouveau and Neo Classical stylings. The name alone implies these cigars are refined and sophisticated, an implication that the product lives up to.
Two versions are available, the classic and the maduro, both with their own notable differences. These are rolled in Esteli by hand, as is with all A.J Fernandez cigars.
AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Robusto
VITOLA: Robusto
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 5½ Inches – 140 mm
ORIGIN: Nicaragua, Honduras, Brazil
The classic Bellas Artes is a wonderful medium bodied cigar that is a good option for cigars smokers of all experience levels.
A blend of leaves from Nicaragua, Honduras and Brazil have been expertly paired to create a smooth cigar that leaves a big impression.
The wrapper is a special autumnal coloured Habano wrapper of the Havana 92’ variety grown in the Quilali region of Nicaragua, an area with a two century long history growing black tobacco.
When talking about this line Fernandez said he wanted it to focus primarily on “unique flavours and aromas” that are produced from these specific growing regions.
Upon lighting one of these cigars one embarks on a smooth journey through these varied regions, getting to taste the rich cedar-like tones and nutty nuances that make them so distinct. Other notes of leather, oak and varied spices make transient appearances and add to the pleasant room note produced by these cigars.
AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Robusto
VITOLA: Robusto
RING GAUGE: 52
LENGTH: 5½ Inches – 140 mm
ORIGIN: Brazil, Mexico & Nicaragua
Released two years after the successful Bellas Artes, the Bellas Artes Maduro was a new twist on the classic cigar with a wrapper binder combination that caught many off guard.
A Mata Fina Maduro wrapper grown in sun rich Brazil that is the colour of dark chocolate with a gritty exterior and a moderate oily sheen immediately draws the eye’s attention. Under this wrapper is a special San Andreas binder grown in Mexico. The finishing touch is fillers grown by Fernandez himself on his farms in Esteli.
To be able to live up to the hype of the Bellas Artes classic Fernandez knew this cigar would have to be something special. What results is a truly triumphant maduro. When first lit the initial flavours are that of chocolate and pepper, a delectable combination.
After the initial spice subsides some prominent earthy tones come to the forefront before being accompanied again by the previously mentioned pepper. Towards the end of the cigar the palate changes to that of a sweet syrup, simply sensational.
