5 Vegas Triple-A Review

Cigar: 5 Vegas AAA by A.J. Fernandez
Size: Toro, 6.0"x54
MSRP: $7.00
Strength: Full
Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro
Origin: Nicaragua

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Prelight: This cigar is not the normal size the Triple-A comes in, as it was part of a toro sampler with other AJF cigars. The broadleaf wrapper is extremely dark – almost black – and sports some pretty big veins and lots of tooth. I’m not picking up much of an aroma from the wrapper besides maybe a faint floral scent. The foot on the other hand is potent; cocoa, earth and wood. The upper-most layer of the cap looks like it is about to pop right off, but that doesn’t worry me, as the second layer goes quite far down the shoulders. The cold draw has perfect resistance to it and tastes like earth and wood.

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1/3: The first few puffs are real light in body and smoke output. They are also extremely creamy in taste with some grass flavors and a bit of a sourness. I really expected to be hit in the face with some spice and strength, seeing as this is an AJ, full-bodied blend. I continue to puff, and every time I am underwhelmed by the body and smoke output. The flavor is awesome, but like I said, I was expecting more. When I really get it going, I can taste a bit of oak and espresso, but puffing at my normal rate gives me nothing but sweet cream. Odd.

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2/3: The flavors pick up a little bit in the second third, but cream still dominates. There is some (and I mean hardly any) espresso, oak and chocolate at the beginning of the second third, and they increase as I get toward the halfway point. I’m still just in awe of how mild this cigar tastes. About a half inch from the final third, suddenly the flavors hit me! Strong mouthfuls of oak, espresso and earth lead me into the last third.

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3/3: The last third has intense amounts of oak, earth, espresso, coffee and cream. I am finally tasting what I assume was intended, and it only took me 90 minutes to get here. The nub is so good I don’t want to put it down, but as my fingers feel the heat, I eventually – and regrettably – let this one go out.

Overall: I am thinking that age got the better of this cigar. I received it one year ago, and if I recall correctly, it was from a trade, so who knows how old this cigar really is. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed the flavors I was getting, it was just not what I expected. The construction was excellent too, by the way. But, I’m still shaking my head about the profile! I need to pick up another and not let so much time pass, to see if this “powerhouse” really lives up to it’s reputation.