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I’m hitting the road for a quiet drive, windows down, with an A.J. Fernandez New World Puro Especial Short Churchill to keep me company. This Nicaraguan Short Churchill, a 6-inch, 48-ring-gauge toro rolled at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A., costs $8 a stick and promises a bold, peppery ride. With the evening breeze and open road ahead, I light it up, hoping its flavors make this cruise a little more soulful.

Let’s see if this cigar can match the vibe of the drive.

The Roots

The A.J. Fernandez New World Puro Especial Short Churchill hails from Nicaragua, crafted at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. in Estelí, a region where rich soils and warm days yield some of the world’s finest tobacco. Its all-Nicaraguan blend—wrapper, binder, and filler—brings a robust, spicy character, reflecting the bold spirit of AJ Fernandez’s craft, known for blending tradition with a modern edge. Released in July 2013, this regular-production cigar carries a reputation for delivering complex flavors at a fair price, perfect for a reflective drive like tonight’s.

While savoring this cigar, here’s a book to elevate the moment.

The Experience: From Start to Finish

First Look: Pre-Light Impressions

Before I hit the road, I check out the A.J. Fernandez New World Puro Especial Short Churchill, a 6-inch, 48-ring-gauge toro that feels sturdy in hand, like a trusted companion for this evening drive. Its Nicaraguan wrapper, a deep, oily brown with subtle veins, has a rugged charm, while the construction—firm roll, clean cap, tight seams—shows AJ Fernandez’s attention to detail. The aroma off the wrapper blends earthy soil and sweet raisin, and the cold draw, a touch tight but smooth, offers zesty pepper, faint chocolate, and a hint of cedar, setting the stage for a bold cruise.

With the engine humming, I light it up to see if it matches the open road.

Foot to Cap: The Flavor Journey

The first third kicks off with a punchy black pepper note, sharp but not overwhelming, blending with a sweet raisin undertone that fills the car with a warm, medium-bodied smoke as I cruise through the evening. The burn’s mostly even, and the draw’s a bit snug, requiring extra puffs, but the dense smoke carries a mineral earthiness and a hint of roasted nuts, keeping things lively. It’s a bold start, perfect for the open road, with the pepper waking up my senses like the breeze through the window.

In the middle third, the pepper mellows into a smoother, glaze-like presence, letting creamy chocolate and cedar notes shine through, while the medium body holds steady, though the tight draw’s still a minor hassle. The burn stays decent, and the ash holds firm for an inch, while a faint mineral note adds depth, like the hum of the tires on the highway. It’s a comfortable phase, not flashy but engaging, making this drive feel like a quiet escape from the day’s grind.

The final third brings back the pepper, now softer, with a slightly sour mineral finish and nutty cedar lingering, wrapping up the 1-hour smoke with a medium, satisfying close, though the flavors feel a touch disjointed. The burn needs a touch-up, and the draw never fully loosens, but the smoke’s creamy texture and a hint of raisin keep it enjoyable, like the last stretch of a good drive. It’s not flawless, but it’s got enough character to make this road trip memorable.

Build & Burn: The Craftsmanship

The Short Churchill’s construction is impressive, its Nicaraguan wrapper a rich, oily brown with a smooth, slightly veiny texture that feels premium, reflecting Tabacalera AJ Fernandez’s skill. The roll is firm, the cap clean, and the weight balanced, making it a pleasure to hold while steering through this evening’s drive, even if it’s not perfect. It’s the kind of cigar that feels reliable, quirks and all, for a moment like this.

The burn’s mostly even, requiring a small touch-up, which is a bit annoying, but the ash holds solid for an inch, and the smoke stays cool, delivering flavors well despite the hiccups. The draw’s consistently tight, needing extra effort, which dulls the experience slightly, but the thick, creamy smoke keeps the 1-hour session engaging, especially with the peppery retrohale adding a zesty kick. It’s a cigar that performs well enough to enjoy on the road, but it’s not without its flaws.

Flavor Deep Dive: What’s Cooking

The New World Puro Especial Short Churchill opens with a bold black pepper core, sharp and zesty, tempered by sweet raisin and earthy mineral notes, creating a medium-bodied smoke that fills the car with character as I drive. The creamy smoke carries a roasted nut undertone, with cedar and a faint chocolate hint in the retrohale, though the pepper dominates, keeping things lively but not overwhelming. It’s a strong start, like the first miles of a good road trip, full of energy.

Midway, the pepper softens, blending with creamy chocolate and cedar, while a mineral note grows slightly sour, adding complexity but feeling a bit off, as the flavors shift smoothly but don’t fully mesh. The final third sees the pepper return, milder, with nutty cedar and a sour mineral finish, while raisin lingers faintly, making for a satisfying close that’s still pretty solid for a drive-time smoke.

Strength & Body: The Power Within

The Short Churchill’s medium strength delivers a steady, approachable buzz, perfect for a relaxed drive, with a slight uptick in the middle third that adds depth without overpowering, even with the peppery retrohale’s kick. The nicotine’s present but gentle, making it a comfortable choice for an evening drive, keeping me alert yet calm as the road stretches on. It’s the kind of strength that feels balanced, like a smooth gear shift.

The body’s medium, with thick, creamy smoke carrying pepper, chocolate, and cedar notes, though the tight draw and sour mineral finish make it feel less cohesive, shifting from bold to slightly muddled by the end. The flavors are dense and engaging, with raisin and nuts adding warmth, but the uneven profile keeps it from perfect harmony, yet it’s still satisfying for the 1-hour smoke. It’s a cigar with personality, even if it doesn’t always flow seamlessly.

Perfect Pairings: Elevate the Experience

A smooth bourbon complements the Short Churchill’s raisin and chocolate notes, while a dark roast coffee balances the pepper, and a spicy chai tea echoes the zesty kick. Pair it with dark chocolate to enhance the creamy notes or a peppercorn-crusted steak to match the boldness, adding depth to the experience. This cigar’s best for a solo cruise or a laid-back evening, savoring the 1-hour burn with the windows down.

Value: Worth the Price?

At $8 a stick, the A.J. Fernandez New World Puro Especial Short Churchill offers solid value, with complex pepper, chocolate, and cedar notes that punch above its price, though the tight draw and minor burn issues keep it from being a steal. It’s a great pick for a casual drive or a moment when you want bold flavors without breaking the bank, but the quirks make it better for occasional smokes rather than a daily go-to. For the quality, it’s a worthwhile choice for most enthusiasts.

Our Rating:

The A.J. Fernandez New World Puro Especial Short Churchill earns aPleasant, delivering bold pepper, chocolate, and cedar in a medium smoke, but a tight draw and minor burn issues hold it back. At $8, it’s a solid choice for a drive-time treat, ideal for enthusiasts who enjoy a spicy, complex cigar with a bit of character.

Final Thoughts

After an hour with the A.J. Fernandez New World Puro Especial Short Churchill, cruising through the evening with the windows down, I’m left with a mix of satisfaction and slight frustration, like a good song with a few off notes. Its bold pepper, creamy chocolate, and nutty cedar deliver a complex, medium-bodied smoke, but the tight draw and slight burn touch-up keeps it from being a smooth ride, though the raisin finish adds a nice touch. For $8, it’s a solid companion for a drive, offering enough depth to make the road feel a little more soulful, even if it’s not perfect.

It’s a cigar with heart, quirks and all, perfect for a quiet cruise.

Own the Smoke: Make It Yours

The A.J. Fernandez New World Puro Especial Short Churchill suits seasoned smokers who enjoy a medium, peppery cigar with complex notes, though beginners might find the draw tricky, best saved for relaxed moments. Its regular production makes it a reliable pick for a solo cruise or casual evening, where its 1-hour burn can shine. Light it up, take your time, and let its bold flavors unfold.

Savor the moment!

See you soon.