I will admit that I am not the biggest fan of Mata Fina tobacco, but every so often, I have a cigar with it that does hit my palate. The Días de Gloria Brazil Toro was one such cigar. This cigar offered a significant amount of the earthiness typically associated with Mata Fina, but it also had a range of other flavors that kept my interest. While the burn and draw were not poor, there was definitely room for improvement, which affected the overall score. However, there were more positive aspects than negative ones with this cigar. I would recommend it to experienced cigar enthusiasts, but I wouldn’t discourage novices from trying it as well. Although it’s a bit pricey, the complexity was enough to make me want to try this cigar again. Additionally, I would be interested in sampling it in other sizes.

Score: 88

I have been an AJ Fernandez fan for nearly 20 years, starting with his original Man O War and Ruination blends, and continuing on through Oval, New World, and other great blends. I wasn’t sure what to expect from an AJ blend of Nicaraguan filler and binder wrapped in a Brazilian Mata Fina leaf, but the experience made me take notice.

The wrapper leaf was a dark brown color, but with a dullness to it, instead of the shiny oiliness you might normally see in a Maduro. It did have a smooth feel and left a little oil on my finger tips. The aroma was a mix of anise, earth, and dark chocolate from the wrapper, along with earth and bell pepper on the foot. The cold draw had a chemical note, but left a spicy tingle on my lips.

Once I lit up the AJF Dias de Gloria Brazil, I got tons of spicy sweetness right up front…dark chocolate and red pepper flake, leaving a residual buzzing on my lips and tongue, not to mention a total punch in the nose when I retrohaled. As I continued to smoke, I got sharp notes of cedar, more subdued notes of earth, all mixing with the ever present pepper spice and sweet foundation. This time was as good as the first time I had this…and I would love to get my hands on these on a regular basis. One of the best new things I’ve had from the AJF factory in a long time.

...Big, vibrant, spicy, peppery retrohales. If that doesn't sound appealing, either by genuine appreciation of that sensation or curiosity about how they might hit you, this likely isn't the cigar for you. But if you're game, the experience is a unique and lively one. From the get-go, the smoke lights up the nostrils, while a mild creamy flavor steadily builds until it can almost be considered a counterbalance to the experience of the smoke through the nose. Construction shouldn't be overlooked here, as each of the three cigars performed very well. If you're up for an incredibly vibrant retrohales and enjoyable flavor, the Días de Gloria Brazil is a cigar worth lighting up.

Score: 91