September 11th, 2017

Size of cigar: 5 inches by 52 ring gauge
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler leaves: Nicaraguan

New as of this summer, A.J. Fernandez has released a broadleaf version of the Enclave.

My review sample exhibited a very smooth and dark wrapper with the expected sweet aroma of broadleaf, while the foot gave off light cocoa and leather scents. Overall, construction looked and felt excellent, with the cigar showing a nice firm bunch and a great cold draw. My morning accompanying beverage was a fresh-roasted Torquino/Serrano blend of coffee.

The complexity of this cigar was impressive right from the initial draw. Sweet broadleaf notes were complemented by leather and coffee characteristics, with a light touch of black pepper in the retro-hale.

The first third displayed a good solid flavor combination of sweetness, with leather and coffee notes evident. At this stage, the Enclave was a very smooth and pleasant smoke. The burn was perfect, the ash solid and light grey in tone. My coffee proved a perfect complement to the cigar.

The second third continued to be excellent. The burn was perfect, as the ash dropped off about every inch or so. Meanwhile, a meatiness began to develop from the broadleaf. The flavors were holding firm, with the pepper notes staying subtle and the coffee and leather consistent. This was a medium-bodied and flavorful cigar, perfect for a breakfast smoke.

Approaching the final inch, the flavors remained complex. Just a bit of warmth developed, but this was purged out easily, and I only had to put the cigar down when it finally became too hot to hold.

The A.J. Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf Robusto is an excellent cigar in all aspects, and earns a noteworthy 9.75/10 rating. Joe Bob says, “Check it out.”
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Jeff Slatton (jefslat) is a longtime member of and contributor to Cigar Weekly. Jeff resides in the San Antonio, TX area.