Aging Room · Quattro Nicaragua
New WorldExperiencedAging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro
The 2019 Cigar Aficionado #1 Cigar of the Year — a Nicaraguan puro rolled at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez that delivers layered complexity in a precise torpedo format.
The short answer
The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro is a richer, medium-to-full smoke — a Nicaragua torpedo with a Nicaraguan Sumatra wrapper. Expect espresso, dark chocolate, and cedar. Critics rate it 96/100.
Flavor profile
Roast · Sweet · Earthy · Spice
Critic ratings
Cigar Aficionado
2019
96/100
Scores as published by each reviewer. Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings; we don't score cigars ourselves.
The verdict
The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro is a richer, medium-to-full smoke from Aging Room's Quattro Nicaragua line. It's a Nicaragua (New World) torpedo wrapped in Nicaraguan Sumatra at 6 in × 52.
On the palate, expect espresso, dark chocolate, and cedar, leaning roast. Plan on roughly 70 minutes from light to nub.
It's well regarded: Cigar Aficionado rated it 96/100 in 2019. It pairs naturally with bourbon, dark roast coffee, and aged rum. If you're newer to cigars, work up to this one rather than starting here.
When Cigar Aficionado crowned the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro its #1 Cigar of the Year for 2019 with a 96-point score, the cigar world took notice. Rafael Nodal of Boutique Blends partnered with AJ Fernandez to create an all-Nicaraguan puro that punches well above its modest price tag. Every leaf — from the silky Sumatra wrapper to the binder and layered filler — comes from Nicaraguan soil and is rolled at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Estelí.
The Maestro torpedo format (6 × 52) focuses smoke through a tapered head, concentrating rich notes of espresso, dark chocolate, and cedar on the palate. Black pepper kicks in on the retrohale while toasted nuts and a touch of natural sweetness round out the finish. Body sits firmly in the medium-full range, making it an ideal step up for smokers ready to move beyond everyday blends.
Construction is impeccable — the slightly oily Sumatra leaf gives the Maestro a natural draw and an even, cool burn right to the nub. If you've been exploring Nicaraguan tobacco versus Cuban classics, this cigar is a compelling argument for what the Estelí valley can produce at its best.
Log your sessions and discover what pairs with this classic on Casa DNC. Before lighting, check out how to cut a torpedo properly — a straight cut a few millimeters back from the taper delivers the best draw on this vitola.
Curious how it stacks up? See Cuban vs Nicaraguan cigars.
Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro — frequently asked
- Is the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro a good cigar for beginners?
- Ease into it. The fuller body can be a lot for a first-timer, so it's better once you've built up a little tolerance.
- How strong is the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro?
- The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro is Medium-Full-bodied. Strength is about body and nicotine rather than flavor, so eat something first and take it slow if you're sensitive.
- What does the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro taste like?
- Expect espresso, dark chocolate, and cedar, leaning roast. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.
- What is the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro's rating?
- Published critic scores: Cigar Aficionado 96/100 (2019). Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings and doesn't score cigars itself.
- What pairs well with the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro?
- It pairs well with bourbon, dark roast coffee, and aged rum. As a rule, match the drink's intensity to the cigar's medium-full body.
- How long does it take to smoke the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro?
- Plan on about 70 minutes for the torpedo — longer if you smoke slowly, which keeps it cool and tasting its best.
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Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro head-to-head
See how Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Maestro stacks up against similar cigars — strength, flavor, and ratings.