Today, AJ Fernandez is a household name in the cigar industry. Winner of numerous Cigar of the Year awards, and creator of countless fan-favorites, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t know AJ’s name. But back in the early 2000s, he was relatively unknown. Ave Maria was one of the first cigars created in AJ’s factory and continues to be a great example of the boutique blends he’s crafted.

Ave Maria begins with a gorgeous Ecuadorian Habano wrapper leaf. Underneath, you’ll find a Nicaraguan binder and a mixture of Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers. Lighting the Ave Maria, you’ll find a medium-bodied profile of nuttiness, earth, and a natural creaminess. While many of AJ’s cigars enter the full-bodied powerhouse territory, this one remains approachable and delicious.