Background

Another new cigar released at the 2011 IPCPR show, was the Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva. The following information was obtained from the Casa Fernandez website about the Miami Reserva;

Miami is a 100% Nicaraguan Puro utilizing a variety of Authentic Cuban seeds and ‘AA’ Tobacco leaf from Aganorsa.  The cigar’s blend is comprised of Medio Tiempo Maduro, Ligero, and Viso from specific Aganorsa Tobacco farms in Jalapa Valley, Condega Valley, and Esteli in Nicaragua.

The Miami Reserva is only available in one size, a 5.75 x 54 Toro and is sold in boxes of fifteen. Let’s get burning.

Stogie Stats

Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Strength: Full
Vitola: Toro
Size: 5.75 x 54
Age: N/A
MSRP: About $9.00

Review

The cigar is very firm except a soft spot towards middle. The pre-light draw is free and I can detect flavors of tobacco and cedar. The wrapper is dark, oily, and veiny with a simple but elegant band.

A blast of pepper accompanies the first draw. The pepper continues with the addition of some leather and wood. I can already feel the strength of this cigar and I am glad I had a good size meal prior. The draw and burn are great and there is lots of smoke on every pull. The ash is holding well beyond an inch and the aroma has an exotic spice to it. The pepper settles down after about the first inch and there is now some spice mixed with the wood when retro haled. The finish is short but smooth and there is a hint of sweetness on occasion.

The second third continues with a lot of wood, spice, and a burnt caramel sweetness on the finish.  The ash is no longer holding and the burn is very jagged. This is no surprise as this is where the soft spot is. The draw remains fantastic, however. The strength has not settled down but I am managing it. The spice when passed through the sinus’ has intensified to the point where it makes me think twice about trying it again.

At the beginning of the last third the burn has corrected itself. The flavors continue with the same core flavors experienced during the first two thirds. The burnt caramel on the finish comes and goes and the draw remains great. I never nub this stick mostly due to amount of time spent smoking it. After about 90 minutes, there was still a good inch and a half left. What is left is burning great and there are no construction issues.

Conclusion

I found the Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva enjoyable and very satisfying but not something I would seek out due to its strength and lack of complexity. The burnt caramel and spice was interesting but I just felt a bit bored with it after 90 minutes. The construction gets an A+ and if you are looking for a long smoke, the price is right. There is a lot of tobacco packed in this stick. In the end, I am going to give the Miami Reserva a Stogie Geeks Rating of “The Angler”. Not bad but not memorable IMHO. I think it would be a great stick to reach for as a yard gar or while wetting a line.