A.J. Fernandez Amar
AJ Fernandez is one of Nicaragua’s largest tobacco growers and cigar makers, producing both its own lines and cigars for a long list of industry partners. Amar, released in 2026 as a regular-production line, is a Nicaraguan puro with a Habano wrapper, rolled at the San Lotano factory in Ocotal.
It was made in the aftermath of a March 2025 fire that damaged the company’s main factory in Estelí and destroyed millions of cigars. Rather than mark the loss, Abdel Fernández built Amar as a thank-you to the employees, retailers, and smokers who stood by the company through the recovery. The box lid carries the line “Gold Is Tested By Fire.”
The name works on two levels: in Spanish, amar means “to love”; the company also ties it to Fernández’s Lebanese heritage, reading it as “moon.” As the brand puts it, Amar is the phase after full illumination; reflection, gratitude, and a new beginning.
Stogie At A Glance
Curated Music Paylist
Gold is tested by fire. Music for the morning after: reflection, gratitude, and a fresh start. Warm, slow grooves with coffee-dark tones and a little spice, inspired by Amar, a thank-you to everyone who stood by through the rebuild. 🌙
Review
First Third
Cedar, light coffee, and pepper on the retrohale off the light, with a slightly sweet note to the coffee. Creamy coffee and pepper are the main notes at the beginning, with a good amount of pepper on the palate and finish. An earthy note comes out alongside the cedar. Coffee and pepper return on the finish.
Second Third
Strong coffee notes come out in the second third, and most of the pepper has died down. Every once in a while, a slight earthy note comes out, with earthy coffee and a slight chocolate note on the finish. Cedar is picking back up and turning into a main note, mixing with a chocolate note that is not as strong as the cedar. A nutty coffee note continues on the finish. A slight cinnamon note comes out, with cedar and a little bit of chocolate. Coffee and cedar on the finish.
Final Third
Coffee, pepper, and baking spices come through in the final third. The earthy note has picked up a little bit, with coffee and a little more pepper on the finish than before. Slight sweetness comes back out, with coffee and some pepper on the finish. At the halfway point of the final third, pepper starts to come out more prominently, similar to the beginning.
Score
83/100