Up for review this week is a cigar I thought for sure Jerry had covered, the Casa Fernandez Miami. But looking back through our cigar review index (it’s pretty handy, check it out some time), I didn’t see it. Perhaps it was a casualty of the many problems we had with a previous host. What some might view as a problem, I saw as an opportunity. I had a handful of Miamis just waiting to be smoked.
Billed as one of their four Super Premium lines, the Casa Fernandez Miami is described as follows on their website:
[The Casa Fernandez Miami] is a 100% Nicaraguan Puro utilizing a variety of Authentic Cuban seeds and “AA” Tobacco leaf from Aganorsa. The cigars blend is comprised of Medio Tiempo Maduro, Ligero and Viso from specific Aganorsa Tobacco farms in Jalapa Valley, Condega Valley and Esteli in Nicaragua. Unique super premium cigar with perfect draw, balance, complexity, aroma and flavor.
The Miami comes in boxes of 15 in three vitolas: Petite Robusto (4 1/2 x 52), Torpedo (6 1/4 x 52) and Toro (6 1/2 x 52). For whatever reason, the Toro is the only size I’ve come across in my travels, so that’s what I bring to you today. Let’s get to it.
Cigar Stats:
Size: 6 1/2 x 52
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Smoking Time: 2 hours
Beverage: Water
Source: Purchased by reviewer
Price: MSRP $8.00
The Pre-Smoke
I like the band designs Casa Fernandez uses, it makes for a sharp looking smoke. But with the bands off, the Miami has a much more rustic appearance. I saw wide variations in wrapper color, going from very dark along the edge of the leaf to almost green in some areas. The veins, though generally not very large, often looked rough, or even twisted. Most of the cigars were free of serious flaws or damage, but one stick was missing a large chunk of wrapper near the head. (These are shipped without cellophane, so it’s possible it happened in transit, or at the hands of a clumsy customer.)
In the hand, the cigars seemed a tad on the soft side, but had a consistent feel throughout. I didn’t get much of a read on the wrapper’s aroma, perhaps a some faint, funky compost and a little chocolate. The cold draw revealed no obvious construction issues, and tasted of sweet and tart grass.
The Burn
The Miami burned generally well, but it did have some minor issues with unevenness and the need for an occasional correction. If it’s humid where you’re smoking, keep a lighter handy, especially if you smoke slowly. This hearty Nicaraguan leaf will suck it up like a sponge.
Each cigar drew well and produced a good volume of smoke and and reasonably solid gray ashes. The compromised leaf I noted earlier did cause some cracking in the final third of one stick (no big surprise there), but the rest didn’t have that problem.
The Flavor
The Casa Fernandez Miami began with a grassy, almost apple-like sweetness and a light spice that appears mostly in the finish. The smoke had a mouth-drying effect early on, which made me glad I had my customary glass of water on hand. As it progressed, it grew a little richer with hints of caramel and growing cedar presence.
As the second third began, a nice touch of paprika spice joined the sweet, grassy profile. A significant transition in flavor happened around the halfway point. The sweet grassiness faded and was replace by a meaty and savory quality. Cedar remained but it seemed to be covered in a light sweet cinnamon. Pepper became more pronounced, especially in the finish.
As I burned through the final segment of the Miami, the grassy flavor returned, but was less sweet. Cedar and cinnamon remained, and I started to pick up a little coffee. The meaty, savory quality that proceeded this third disappeared, but the pepper remained.
The Price
The Miami seems like a good value for the money.
The Verdict
The Miami isn’t my favorite Casa Fernandez product, but it’s a quality cigar with a lot of good flavor that I’m happy to smoke any time and with just about any beverage. I don’t think I would spring for an entire box in one setting, but I have smoked through the better part of one over the past few months. (And to be fair, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a full box on a shelf.) It’s definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re a Casa Fernandez fan, but want to try something a little different.
Liked It: Yes
Buy It Again: Yes
Recommend It: Yes
Tower of Burn
Here for your viewing pleasure is my trademark Tower of Burn.
Nice review, Brian. I’m not a big fan of this cigar. I think the original Casa Fernandez (which I think you’ve also reviewed) is much better.
You’re not the first person to tell me that. Someone told me they didn’t like it because it reminded them of a candela or all things. I can see some similarities, but it’s not the first thing that came to mind for me.
I agree, the original Casa Fernandez (and the Aganorsa Leaf) are better cigars, but I think the Miami is very smokeable. Ug, now I want one of those and I’m all out.
I am really enjoying the Miami cigars that I’ve picked up and I’ve smoked about six in the last few months and Ithey really resonate with my palate.
I don’t get the grass flavor you pick up but plenty of the cedar, cinnamon, and pepper which I associate with Arganorsa leaf. The Reserva is a more kicked up version and I just finished one of those and it was great. I think Casa Fernandez is really creating great cigars.
good review. good cigar. maybe a tad pricey but wouldnt keep me from buying again.
Smoking one right now. Mine has the newer band (same as foot band as pictured?). Very humid here but no burn issues whatsoever. Cedar and some nuttiness. Not very complex. Mouth drying effect. Mild pepper on retrohale. Not bad. I too prefer the Aganorsa.