La Herencia Cubana CORE Toro is among the first cigars blended by AJ Fernandez, long before he became the industry icon he is today. It was introduced as a value cigar, offering the incredible mixture of flavor, balance, and body that Fernandez has since come to be known for. Made in Nicaragua, La Herencia Cubana CORE consists of a hearty filler blend including Nicaraguan ligero leaves from Esteli and Ometepe, Honduran Jamastran ligero, and last but certainly not least, Pennsylvania Broadleaf. A Nicaraguan viso binder holds the package together, and the finishing touch is a dark Habano Ecuador sun grown ligero wrapper. Not for the faint of heart, La Herencia Cubana CORE is a true powerhouse of a cigar.
Rustic packaging matches the rustic appearance of the cigar itself. Dark, toothy, and oozing with oils, La Herencia Cubana CORE is box-pressed and expertly rolled. In typical AJ Fernandez fashion, the draw is easy and smoke production is on another level. Introductory notes of black pepper and cream evolve into a rich, earthy core of raw tobacco flavor. Toasty notes of oak and light sweetness develop along the way, in addition to cinnamon and a tangy twist on the finish. Full-bodied, yet balanced, CORE delivers the classic powerhouse cigar experience every time. The popular Toro size is 6 ½” x 52 and makes for a long, relaxing smoke. That means plenty of time to enjoy all the goodness this blend has to offer.
While not exactly a beginners’ cigar, CORE definitely serves as a good gateway for anyone looking to set foot into full-bodied territory. It pairs very well with coffee or dark beer and, like most full-bodied sticks, is best enjoyed on a full stomach. This blend can be thought of as a preview of what has now become a phenomenon that has taken the cigar world by storm. Cigars such as New World or Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez almost seem like tweaked and refined versions of CORE. Whether you are looking to explore some of the blends that put AJ on the map or you just want something bold and satisfying, La Herencia Cubana Core Toro is most definitely a terrific choice.