(Top 25 Cigars of 2016) Though A.J. Fernandez is a familiar name among cigar smokers, few realize that A.J. is part of a father-and-son team. He relies on his father, Ismael, to help run his huge operation, and Ismael is often instrumental in the blending process. Enclave is a cigar brand that Ismael created, so it's no surprise that the cigar is a little more old-fashioned, focusing less on strength, and more on flavor.Heavy-handed power is a modern trait of the premium market, but Ismael toned it down for the Enclave. The cigar is impeccably constructed, as are most cigars that come out of the busy A.J. Fernandez factory in Nicaragua. The pristine wrapper is beautiful to behold and the combustion is flawless. So is the draw. Each puff is a clear reminder that this cigar favors finesse over force. 

Over the past twelve months, A.J. Fernandez has made a strong push into the “value priced” market with the releases of New World, New World Connecticut, and now Enclave.  In each case, the company has delivered a high quality smoke that could easily be mistaken for a pricier cigar. Flavor-wise, each of the three releases are very different, but have one common denominator – each has an excellent flavor profile.  The chocolate, cedar, nut, and cream notes really work well together with this blend. This is a cigar I’d recommend to an experienced cigar enthusiast. I wouldn’t discourage one from trying it.  I found this a great cigar to “graduate” to something a little fuller and a little stronger.  As for myself, this is a cigar I’d easily smoke again. It’s definitely worthy of a box purchase. 92 points.

All around, the Enclave is a genuinely tasty cigar. True, the cigar could never live up to its first minute of full-force flavor, thanks to the figurado shape—but it still kept the same great smoke throughout. The Enclave is a historic experience, reminiscing the age of tobacco, from its roots, to the very circles of friends we have today.