AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Robusto 5 1/2″ * 52

Released in 2016 and inspired by the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Havana, the AJ Fernandez Bellas Artes Robusto is built around a proprietary hybrid wrapper that AJ Fernandez calls Rojita.

Rojita is a Nicaraguan-grown cross of Connecticut 8212, Corojo ’99, and Havana 2000 seed, sitting over a Havana ’92 binder from Quilali, Nicaragua, and a long-filler blend pulling from Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa in Nicaragua, plus Jamastran Honduran leaf and Mata Norte Brazilian tobacco. All leaves are aged a minimum of three years before rolling at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua in Estelí. The Robusto comes in at 5 1/2 by 52, box-pressed, at medium-to-full body.

The flavor tends to lean toward cedar and roasted nuts up front, with cocoa, baking spice, and a touch of natural sweetness running through the middle, then leather and black pepper on the finish. The Brazilian Mata Norte contributes much of the underlying sweetness, while the Habano-style binder pushes the spicier elements forward. The box-pressed format and shorter length suit a mid-length afternoon session.

Pairs well with coffee, bourbon, or amber ale.