AJ Fernandez · New World Puro Especial
New WorldExperiencedAJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro
The longer Toro format of AJ Fernandez's award-winning Nicaraguan puro — more time for the aged Criollo '98 wrapper to layer coffee, spice, and leather.
The short answer
The AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro is a richer, medium-to-full smoke — a Nicaragua toro with a Nicaraguan Criollo '98 wrapper. Expect coffee bean, baking spice, and cedar. Critics rate it 93/100.
Flavor profile
Roast · Spice · Earthy · Fruity
Critic ratings
Cigar Aficionado
2017
93/100
Scores as published by each reviewer. Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings; we don't score cigars ourselves.
The verdict
The AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro is a richer, medium-to-full smoke from AJ Fernandez's New World Puro Especial line. It's a Nicaragua (New World) toro wrapped in Nicaraguan Criollo '98 at 6.5 in × 52.
On the palate, expect coffee bean, baking spice, and cedar, leaning roast. Plan on roughly 75 minutes from light to nub.
It's well regarded: Cigar Aficionado rated it 93/100 in 2017. It pairs naturally with cold brew coffee and aged bourbon. If you're newer to cigars, work up to this one rather than starting here.
At 6.5 by 52, the New World Puro Especial Toro Extra gives the blend room to breathe. AJ Fernandez and his father Ismael built this puro from family-farm tobacco aged three to five years — wrapper, binder, and filler all Nicaraguan. The extra length over the robusto lets the tobacco evolve through a longer arc of flavor.
What it tastes like
The Criollo '98 wrapper opens with coffee bean and baking spice, deepening into leather and cedar through the long middle third. The final third tends toward a richer, earthier finish with hints of dark fruit. The construction is reliable — even burn, excellent draw — typical of Tabacalera Fernandez. Box-pressed format keeps it comfortable to hold throughout the session.
Who it's for
This is the version for smokers with time to spare. The Toro rewards patience: the first third tastes different from the last, in a good way. Pair it with a cold brew or an aged bourbon that can evolve alongside the smoke.
The Puro Especial is AJ Fernandez at his most personal — a father-son creation from their own land. For a side-by-side sense of how Nicaraguan puros compare to Cuban blends, see Cuban vs Nicaraguan cigars. Sharpen your pre-smoke ritual with the how to cut a cigar guide, and track your collection in the Casa DNC app.
Curious how it stacks up? See Cuban vs Nicaraguan cigars.
AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro — frequently asked
- Is the AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro 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 AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro?
- The AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro 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 AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro taste like?
- Expect coffee bean, baking spice, and cedar, leaning roast. Tasting notes are a guide — your palate may pick up more or less.
- What is the AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro's rating?
- Published critic scores: Cigar Aficionado 93/100 (2017). Casa DNC aggregates third-party ratings and doesn't score cigars itself.
- What pairs well with the AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro?
- It pairs well with cold brew coffee and aged bourbon. As a rule, match the drink's intensity to the cigar's medium-full body.
- How long does it take to smoke the AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro?
- Plan on about 75 minutes for the toro — longer if you smoke slowly, which keeps it cool and tasting its best.
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AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro head-to-head
See how AJ Fernandez New World Puro Especial Toro stacks up against similar cigars — strength, flavor, and ratings.