AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Maduro Toro

When the Bellas Artes Maduro launched in 2018, almost no one was pairing Brazilian Mata Fina wrappers with Mexican San Andrés binders. AJ Fernandez was. The combination earned a 94-point rating and Cigar Journal's "Cigar of the Year" in 2019 — a recognition that speaks to how different this blend felt at the time.

What it tastes like

Brazilian Mata Fina is a naturally fermented dark leaf that produces sweetness without the typical maduro bitterness. The San Andrés binder from Mexico adds earthiness and complexity. Together with Nicaraguan filler, the Toro at 6 by 54 delivers dark chocolate, espresso, black pepper, and toast in the first half, deepening into black licorice and a long, sweet finish. The box-press construction burns clean with a near-perfect draw.

Who it's for

For the aficionado who thinks they've tried every maduro combination worth smoking. The Mata Fina/San Andrés pairing is still unusual — most Nicaraguan maduros lean on Connecticut Broadleaf or Pennsylvania Broadleaf. The sweetness here is different: natural, not added. Pair with port wine or a dark roast espresso.

This won Cigar of the Year for a reason. To understand how the Mata Fina wrapper differs from a standard broadleaf maduro, see the maduro vs Connecticut guide. Curious about the Habano version? Check the cigar strength guide to see where both sit. Log it in the Casa DNC app.