The Armada; one soulful cigar.
In the current article The X Factor: The Soul of a Cigar, the idea that a cigar can have soul was brought into focus. There are many outstanding cigars currently available and we all have our favorites, but to this author, none exemplify the concept of a soulful cigar as much as the Man ‘O War Armada. This is a stick of such outstanding smoothness, richness, and complexity that is has become a cigar I simply can’t stop smoking. Additionally everyone I have handed this cigar to has been simply blown away by its character. Having followed the progression of cigars blended by AJ Fernandez[i], and having personally met the man, I can say that there is no other cigar maker with a greater sense of commitment to and knowledge of cigars than AJ. The Armada exemplifies his obsession with creating the best cigar possible and seems to be, at this point in time, the culmination of his pursuits.
Why it’s a Gem…
The Armada transcends flavor and ventures into the magical. AJ has captured the best qualities of all the great cigars, Cuban or otherwise, and has packaged it 
neatly into what could be described as a cigar in perfect balance. The word Cubanesque has been bantered about recently yet few cigars actually live up to that hype, until now. We cigar smokers often dream of what a Cuban-Nicaraguan hybrid cigar might taste like. But if there was any cigar that has captured the best flavors of both worlds, the Armada is it.
The Armada is not a strong cigar. I might even go out on a limb and call it mild. (I smoke my fair share of strong cigars so my mild might be someone else’s medium.) But either way, smokers on all levels should like this stick. The unique thing about the Armada is that the flavor is so big it’s hard to believe it isn’t a powerhouse. This cigar is a good example of how flavor can be independent of strength.
Is it worth $20?
I have often written about cigar value and have suggested cigars that are inexpensive yet have terrific flavor. Many of these suggestions are creations of Mr. Fernandez, so we know he is not one to “chase the money”. Yet the Armada is a $20.00 cigar. To some this may seem like a departure from AJ’s usual pursuits, but this cigar is well worth the money and I have to believe there is good reason for it’s higher than usual price tag. With that in mind, I recommend all serious cigar smokers beg, borrow, (but don’t steal) the twenty bucks to put down on this stick. It’s a cigar that everyone should try and because of its limited availability (only 300 boxes per year), I recommend you get it while you can. But the Armada is a big stick and gives a ton of smoking pleasure, so in the end, it’s money well spent. If indeed the ultimate cigar is a Cuban-Nicaraguan hybrid, I suggest trying this cigar; it may well be a taste of the future.
In summary…
The Armada isn’t very spicy or strong and this, given today’s cigar-smoking climate, might seem like a detriment. But to me, the current trend towards spice and strength has gotten a bit boring. I’ve become skeptical of new cigars that claim to have a Cuban flavor, and now look for qualities beyond strength. I think it’s time for us to focus on subtler cigar qualities for this is where we can see the true art of cigar blending. In the case of the Armada, AJ Fernandez has taken a more nuanced approach to cigar making and in the process, created a masterpiece. Well done, AJ.
Brand: Man ‘O War – Armada
Vitola: Toro Grande (6.5 x 56)
Year purchased: 2010
Strength: Medium
Flavors: Dark cherry, molasses, rich tobacco.
Finish: Mild and pleasant with no dryness.
Blender: AJ Fernandez
Origin: Nicaragua
Price: $20.00
X Factor: 9.8 (out of 10)
Armada construction was flawless.
