Cigar Reveal #310

AJ Fernandez
Bellas Artes Maduro

The Bellas Artes line from AJ Fernandez was conceived as a tribute to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana (the National Museum of Fine Arts in Havana), reflecting AJ’s Cuban heritage and the notion of cigar blending as an art form. Bellas Artes Maduro is a later offshoot of the original “natural” Bellas Artes, its name and branding connect it to the same artistic inspiration, while the blend diverges in structure to highlight darker, richer tobacco character. The Maduro variant is positioned as a bold, expressive sibling in the Bellas Artes family, leveraging AJ’s deep access to premium tobaccos and blending flexibility to deliver a darker, full-flavored extension of the artistic theme embodied by the brand.

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Bellas Artes Maduro
Anatomy

  • Estelí, Nicaragua (AJ Fernandez farms)

  • Mexican San Andrés

  • Brazilian Mata Fina Maduro

Bellas Artes Maduro
Flavor Notes

First Third

Dark Chocolate

Espresso

Black Pepper

Dark Chocolate

Espresso

Black Pepper

Second Third

Earth

Roasted Nuts

Cocoa Powder

Earth

Roasted Nuts

Cocoa Powder

Final Third

Mocha

Earth

Wood

Mocha

Earth

Wood

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Reviews + Notes

Halfwheel

If there was one thing I remember about the Bellas Artes Maduro Robusto when I smoked it some 18 months ago, it was the distinctive mix of flavors, which I described as a mix of the spice of a Thai or Szechuan dish with earth, chocolate, and pepper. Whether it be just this one sample or the effect of some extended rest, some of that distinct spiciness seems to have left the cigar, leaving a profile that is much more reflective of the binder and filler than the wrapper. It is still very good and very enjoyable, but it just doesn't seem to be what it once was, which is a bit of a shame given that it was not only flavorful but also unique. While I'd love to smoke a few more to see if the rest repeats the effect, this is one example where I think the younger version is the better option.

Score: 90 points

Leaf Enthusiast

It was soft on the palate with notes of hay and nuts, but on the nose, there was a ton of black pepper. As we got into the first third, words like “tasty” and “rich” and “complex” got thrown around rapidly. There was pepper emerging on the palate, along with a chocolatey sweet finish. The smoke was free, oily, and medium-to-full in body. Leathery notes came through next and there was a ton of espresso bean. I got notes of baking spices when I blew the smoke out slowly from my mouth and nose.

Kohnhed

A totally linear experience. No real improvement from the first third. My advice to those that purchase the Bellas Artes Maduro by AJ Fernandez…put them away and forget about them for half a year. I will try again in 4 months and report back. This is the last time I do peyote before a review.