A love letter… to the cigar

 

There are cigars whose names already announce an intention. Amar, in Spanish, means "to love." A particularly appropriate name for this new creation from A.J. Fernandez, conceived as a tribute and a message of gratitude after the difficult events the company has gone through.

But beyond the history and the very beautiful packaging, one question always remains: what is the cigar actually worth once lit?

So, I wanted to see for myself.

 

 

A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY

 

I will be direct: I really liked this cigar.

The Amar is a cigar that seems particularly successful in its balance. It has character, strength, and beautiful aromatic evolution, without ever falling into excess.

In terms of strength, I would personally place it in the medium-full category. It is not an overwhelming cigar, but it has enough presence to satisfy enthusiasts looking for an experience more intense than just a creamy or mild cigar.

The construction and the blend provide a generous and pleasant smoke, with a texture that particularly complements the various aromatic shifts.

First third: pepper takes the stage

The first third begins with a fairly distinct peppery presence.

The pepper immediately brings dynamism to the tasting and clearly signals that the Amar is not a completely tame cigar. This spicy attack remains well-controlled, however: it does not dominate the entire palate and gradually allows other nuances to emerge.

It is an entry that corresponds quite well to the overall character of the cigar: temperament, but with mastery.

Second third: my favorite part

For me, the second third is probably the moment where the Amar expresses itself best.

The profile then becomes more indulgent and rounder, with notes of coffee, a beautiful creamy sensation, as well as aromas of toasted nuts.

It is a particularly pleasant evolution after the more peppery opening. The cigar gains softness without losing its personality.

This combination of coffee, cream, and nuts gives real depth to the tasting. We find here certain notes regularly mentioned regarding the Amar, notably coffee, cream, and nuances of nuts or toasted pecans.

Third third: back to strength

In the final third, the cigar regains intensity.

The pepper returns, this time accompanied by a much stronger and deeper coffee.

The evolution is consistent with the beginning of the tasting, but the impression is different: the first third is more directly spicy, while the finish associates this peppery strength more with the depth of the coffee.

The strength rises slightly, but without unbalancing the whole.

This is actually one of the points I particularly appreciated: the Amar remains balanced from beginning to end. The different aromatic families follow one another and evolve without any single one definitively taking over.

A preference for the Torito

After discovering different expressions of this range, my personal preference goes to the Torito format.

I find it lighter and creamier, with an approach that corresponds more to what I enjoy in a cigar.

The format seems to allow the aromas to express themselves with more softness and roundness, while retaining the personality of the blend. In my opinion, the Torito thus offers a particularly accessible and elegant take on the Amar.

For those who appreciate balanced cigars but are looking for a bit more finesse and creaminess, it is probably the format I would turn to first.

MY VERDICT

The Amar by A.J. Fernandez is a very good cigar.

With a strength that I would describe as medium-full, it offers a tasting structured around a beautiful progression:

• First third: peppery and dynamic;
• Second third: coffee, cream, and toasted nuts;
• Third third: return of pepper and more intense coffee.

The common thread of this tasting remains its excellent balance.

The Amar has enough strength to interest fans of assertive profiles, while retaining a texture and aromatic evolution that make it accessible and pleasant.

 

And if I had to choose only one?

Without hesitation, the Torito. Lighter, creamier, and particularly harmonious: it is the one that best matches how I like to enjoy a cigar.

To be discovered, and above all, to be savored without rushing.

Jo Ann CHAISE
Les Cigares de Madame