Smoked: Man O War Ruination

Smoked at: Sharonville, Ohio

Man O War Ruination is an AJ Fernandez using Nicaraguan and Honduran tobacco cloaked in an oily Ecuador Sungrown wrapper with barely visible veins.

Oak reminiscent of whiskey barrel oak, light pepper giving way to other spices as the cigar progresses, coffee, earthy, leather, a hay/grass hint, mineral notes of slate, moss, buttered burnt toast – I know that flavor since I have scorched a few pieces of bread in the toaster. There is the taste of mixed nuts in the background – mostly almonds and cashews that I taste on a few puffs. The oak becomes fire pit charred by the final third. These are bold, dark, rich flavors yet I must say the overall impression is a silky-smooth taste. I have no other way to describe it – nor explain it. More Merlin magic from an AJ Fernandez blend?

I’ve been waiting for other flavor notes through the final third and my patience is growing thin. Ah, a faint hint of coconut shavings, hazelnuts and chocolate or cocoa. That aroma has been there from the initial stages on the retrohale along with wood and light pepper. The retrohale changes during the final third getting more peppery and adding a floral and a mineral, vegetal aroma.

The cigar has a solid feel when holding it. It is well constructed – perfect draw, fairly even burn line, the ash holds on tight and the smoke output is más generoso.

Man O War Reuination has a heavy rich tobacco flavor - bold, smooth and balanced. It’s not super complex to start, but there are eventually some transitions and the flavors do expand and work well together. It’s a dark bold full bodied stick. It’s an AJ Fernandez with a Fuente vibe. It is quite enjoyable. It doesn’t quite get a 5 and I’m not sure how to explain a 4.5. Good, enjoyable, but never gave me an Oh Wow moment.