Cigar Reveal #331

AJ Fernandez
Ramon Allones

The Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez is a modern reinterpretation of one of the cigar world’s oldest historic brands. The original Ramon Allones dates back to 1845 in Cuba, and it was notable for innovations such as being among the first cigars to use bands and decorative box art. In recent years, General Cigar Company partnered with AJ Fernandez to revive the brand for the modern market by producing it in Nicaragua. Fernandez approached the project with personal reverence because Ramon Allones was reportedly one of his father’s favorite cigar brands when they lived in Cuba.

Instead of replicating a Cuban profile, AJ created a bold Nicaraguan interpretation using tobaccos grown on his own farms. The result is a full-bodied Nicaraguan puro built around rare high-priming tobacco leaves and aged components, showcasing AJ’s signature strength and complexity while honoring the historic brand name.

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Ramon Allones
Anatomy

  • Nicaraguan (Criollo ’98)
    Nicaraguan (Corojo ’99)
    Nicaraguan (Estelí)
  • Nicaraguan Corojo ’99

  • Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro

Ramon Allones
Flavor Notes

First Third

Cedar

Cocoa

Black Pepper

Cedar

Cocoa

Black Pepper

Second Third

Earth

Espresso

Dried Fruit

Earth

Espresso

Dried Fruit

Final Third

Cedar

Raisin

Walnut

Cedar

Raisin

Walnut

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Reviews + Notes

Cigar Aficionado

Top 25 Cigar of the Year 2021 🏆

When General Cigar Co. turned over production and distribution of the Ramon Allones brand to A.J. Fernandez in Nicaragua, he was determined to make the cigar his own and exercised his creative freedom by putting together a blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos that he grew himself. With his name prominently displayed on the box and band, the Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez is a bracing blend of medio tiempo wrapper, Corojo ’99, Criollo ’98 and a hybrid tobacco from Estelí. The other tobaccos are from Condega, Jalapa and Pueblo Nuevo, making this a true tapestry of Nicaragua’s major growing regions. Like many Fernandez cigars, the smoke is strong, showing a hearty mix of raisin and walnut notes with a tangy hint of cedar.

Rating: 92

Cigar Coop

One thing about the Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez Toro – it’s not going to smoke like the Cuban versions, nor is it going to smoke like the Dominican iterations that were previously released. This cigar is going to tell its very own story. If you want a bold and flavorful cigar, this is going to be the cigar for you. Given this is a bolder smoke, it’s one that I would steer to a more seasoned cigar enthusiast. As for myself, I found the Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez Toro to be one of the best cigars Fernandez has released in some time.

Value: Box Purchase

Score: 93

Leaf Enthusiast

The A.J. Fernandez version of Ramon Allones was a bit of a revelation. It still has the essence of Fernandez’s blending, so if you weren’t already a fan of his blends, this stick probably won’t change your mind. It also has a richness and smoothness uncharacteristic of many other Nicaraguan powerhouse sticks by A.J. This is an A.J. Blend on par with a Padron 1964 Anniversary Series in terms of overall experience. It was complex and full-flavored while being full-bodied and fairly strong.

Total: 9.5/10