Towards the end of 2018, AJ Fernandez Cigars announced a new extension under the New World brand name, the New World Cameroon Selection. The new extension launched with seven different sizes (click here for more details), with the Gordo size being added towards the second half of 2019. It is the fourth line with the New World name attached to it, the other three being the Oscuro, Connecticut, and Puro Especial.
The cigars are rolled at the AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. All sizes are packaged in twenty-count boxes.
The wrapper is of a Colorado shade that is speckled and opaque, which is somewhat typical for the Cameroon leaf. It is smooth to the touch without any major veins present. Construction is good.
- Country of Origin: Nicaragua
- Size: 60 x 152 mm (6″)
- Wrapper: Cameroon
- Binder: Nicaragua
- Filler: Nicaragua
- Price: $7.50 – € 8
AJ Fernandez New World Cameroon Selection Gordo: wood, leather, and light spicy aromas are revealed in the cold draw. Once lit, the cigar opens with wood, nuts, and pepper.
The first third continues with the wood and nut combination, followed by earth and leather. Some pink pepper is present in the retro-hale, and the smoke tends to be on the sweeter side. Strength is medium-light (2/5).
Nuances of caramel and natural tobacco are added in the second half, next to the core flavors of earth, leather, and wood. These nuances make the base of the cigar even sweeter. The pink pepper is still perceivable in the retro-hale. Strength is close to medium-bodied (2.5/5).
There is not much changing in the last third. For the most part, the flavor profile remains the same, with the addition of a light floral note appearing in the retro-hale next to the pink pepper. Strength has now reached a medium level (3/5).
Overall, the AJ Fernandez New World Cameroon Selection Gordo is a solid and balanced smoke. That being said, it falls into the same traps of many Gordo sizes, lack of depth, and evolution throughout the experience. While the flavor profile is interesting and smooth, it doesn’t grab your attention in the two-and-a-half-plus hours that it takes you to smoke it.