The Stogie Review Fan Forums voted and up next is the Man O’ War Special Edition Figurado. AJ Fernandez borrows a page from the work he did with Rocky Patel in developing the Rocky Patel Fusion by making a MoW hybrid. With Rocky, AJ combined the Vintage 1990 and Vintage 1992 to make the Rocky Patel Fusion. In this case, AJ takes the Man O’ War and Man O’ War Ruination to create the Man O’ War Special Edition Figurado.
Here is the blurb from Cigar.com:
Man O’ War Special Edition contains the same filler and binder found in the original Man O’ War blend, but comes wrapped with the premium Habano wrapper found on Man O’ War Ruination for a completely different, unique, yet enjoyable full-bodied experience.
Man O’ War Special Edition comes on the heels of Man O’ War Ruination. This tasty, incredibly limited cigar features all of the premium Nicaraguan tobaccos found in the original Man O’ War but comes wrapped with the amazing, highly acclaimed Habano wrapper found on Man O’ War Ruination. With this blend, you get the best of both worlds in a full-bodied yet mellow format. The special edition figurado size also lends to a complex, unique experience with many competing notes of white pepper, earth, peat, hints of cedar, spice, leather and some light sweet nuances on the finish. Any fan of A.J. Fernandez should give this limited, highly tasty blend a try.
Video runs close to 12 minutes and I have to say that I felt like something was missing with the Man O’ War Special Edition Figurado. I was expecting something that would take two outstanding cigars, combine the best they have to offer and give me a unique smoking experience. It disappointed me. I picked up distinct characteristics of both cigars but someone forgot to build the bridge to connect everything. So you’re left saying to yourself, “whats the point?”
oooh snap!
Hahaha, that was funny as hell ” As a matter of fact, here I come now!”
There are few things in the cigar world that I could enjoy less than a big, boring cigar.
Looks like you got wise and started layering up, glad the weather is easing 🙂 Very educational video on lighting a figurado. I know you meant to say be careful to not light the “areola” when lighting the nipple..funny stuff.
Jerry great review, i was just wondering, do you buy all of cigars by the box? man id love to have the cash to do that
LOL, great review.
I never tried any of the MOW line and I doubt I will try this one. I may try the regular ones at some point, but I am not going out of my way to get them.
Mike
That’s too bad… Was that a nipple……. It’s a nipple cause I’m drooling…..
Nice review Jerry. I really didn’t care for the regular MOW, but I did like the Ruination, but this was never something I wanted to try. Thanks for cementing it.
I’m not surprised that the smoke was “meh” honestly, sounds like it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t impressive either. I’d think that for a limited edition there would be more to it than a little bit of this and a little bit of that, the latter is missing. Would it have been different if you didn’t smoke the man o’ war or ruination? Damn right you are a consumer, that’s what constructive criticism is for. Anyway, good review.
“I’m a fucking consumer, that’s who I am!” – Great stuff there.
Personally, I only trust cigar reviews from people who actively fought in the Cuban Revolution under Castro. Everyone else is just an uninformed tourist.
That was sarcasm.
I’m still really confused about these. I’ve bought the MoW “Special Edition” figurado on the “devil bid site” since last year and they market it in the regular MoW line, just a limited edition size. If you go to Cigar.com though they market this as a fusion of the MoW ruination and the regular MoW. If there are now two “special edition figurado” cigars, one that’s the regular MoW in a limited size and one that’s the fusion blend, there’s certainly no difference in the bands or anything to mark which one is which. So maybe they discontinued the old special edition in the regular line and replaced it with this one, or they’ve just been selling it all along and didn’t change anything and just changed the way they’re marketing it…
From the devil bid site:
“Behold, the Special-Edition Figurado from Man O’ War. Made specifically for 2009, due to the unrivaled success of this powerhouse, blockbuster blend, this 7.1”x58 lovely is loaded with deep, bold flavors that’ll ignite your palate from start to finish. This might be the ultimate, summertime, post-dinner cigar to enjoy outside on the porch with a smokey single malt or hoppy IPA.” – I’ve been bidding on these before the Ruination ever came out, hence the confusion.
Compared to the copy from Cigar.com:
“Man O’ War Special Edition comes on the heels of Man O’ War Ruination. This tasty, incredibly limited cigar features all of the premium Nicaraguan tobaccos found in the original Man O’ War but comes wrapped with the amazing, highly acclaimed Habano wrapper found on Man O’ War Ruination.”
Nice review! Im with you on the ash, I dont get it when guys are like “awwww. the ash held on for like 6 inches” so! Does it taste and smell good? Thats all I really care about.
oops ^ thats what happens when you watch a video within a video, that was meant for Mike’s gurkha III review, but you review was great too Jerry. Still ruination is my favorite!
As you say that your an A.J. fan, thanks for being honest and not pumping it up. I do prefer the regular MOW, than the Ruination, but smoking a bulb type cigar is not my thing. Thanks for the long ash review.
poor guy, that was so sad even if i was excited at first i got disappointed at the end.
good luck brother.
Loved this smoke! Flavors were perfectly complimentary and the entire experience was top drawer. The taste was sublime. I burned my fingers, as it stayed smooth and delicious and burned perfectly all the way down.