AJ, Yay or Nay?

[gitfiddl]

I've been a fan of AJ Fernandez cigars since I started smoking cigars in earnest, but I'm becoming a little wary now.  It seems as he's now got his name on more blends that IMHO didn't need any help (RyJ, Montecristo, et al).  It's getting to the point of oversaturation ala Patel and Gurkha for me. What say the rest of the Geeks?

[BewareDaPenguin]

Don't mind a few of the lines, can't speak for any of the new stuff, but I haven't bought anything from him in more than a few years. Just don't enjoy it, I like the stuff I like - I'd have to agree it seems like he's getting into quite a bit lately.

[tuck0411]

Unlike RP and Gurkha, most AJ-made/blended sticks I've had the pleasure of smoking are actually well-constructed, along with being tasty.  Can't think of too many I haven't enjoyed, either the man's own brands or the blends he's done for other brands.  Yep, I'm a fan. 

[Murphy223]

I'm a Yay    Most AJs I have smoked have been pretty solid.  Like all, there has been an occasional dud but overall, I'm a fan

[headfirst]

I was pretty disappointed in the new world dorado.  I don't smoke a lot of his stuff anymore but I remember liking the original new world and San lotano stuff.  He's ok, not nearly as bad as RP or Gurkha based on the occasional thing I'll try.  But I do agree he's overextended his name and it cheapens it IMO.  Padron is the opposite, do this one thing and do it well, that brand name means more than AJ's does...

[Beegerply]

I pretty much like all Of AJ's stuff, have been for a long time.   

[Alekso]

When you are blessed with a perfect pallette, a passion for cigars and the examples / mentorship of the old men on the mountain (Plasencia, Carrillo, Fuente,etc), you get AJ.

At 48, he is reportedly tireless and driven. He wants to build a cigar empire and cash in while the 2nd cigar boom is heating up. Who can blame him?

[StogieDad]

I enjoy most of AJ's stuff.  The difference is he isn't stuffing a catalog, he is asked to blend for other companies and does so.  RP and Gurkha just produce blends shotgun style hoping to hit.  Now, it's not one of the heaviest in my rotation, but I enjoy most of his work and certainly don't shy away.

[benchjockey]

I'm Yay.
I pick the blends of his I enjoy and stick with them.
I don't smoke a stick just because AJ's name is on it.

[Brlesq]

Most of AJ's cigars aren't bad, but I also can't think of a single one that I would call a standout,  special or premium. I've tried almost all of his cigars, but the only 2 that I keep in regular rotation are the Dias De Gloria and the New World Puro Especial. And I only buy these 2 because they are a good cigar at a value price.

[McBryde]

I've been a fan of his for a long time. I used to smoke a lot of Diesel cigars and the Man O' War back in the day when you could get them really cheap, like $2.50/stick. These days he is in everything it seems, but his cigar blends still ring true for my flavor profiles. I have only had a couple of his that I wasn't fond of, like some of the San Lotano stuff. Maybe it's about time to do another AJ Fernandez Pass, the last one went well in 2012, LOL.

E

[gitfiddl]

Don't get me wrong.  I can't remember ever having a bad stick with AJ's name on it.  It just seemed a little odd that all of a sudden he was blending cigars for lots folks I wouldn't normally associate with his style.

[metalhead y cigarguy]

I'm a Yay, as I enjoy AJ's cigars.  I can't recall a single bad cigar from any of his lines. The only issue I have is that some of them can be pretty strong, so I just have to pace myself when enjoying certain cigars. 

[junglepete]

Im a fan because you get pretty good value with most of his blends and a handful of of exceptional ones too. I like the Bella Artes line, and some of the New World stuff, and the Gloria dias too.

[jharrisx5]

I'm a fan...diesel still make my heart go putter patter...