Bellas Artes by AJ Fernandez short Churchill 10/23/16

Appearance 

The light brown wrapper has a couple prominent albeit thin veins and a smooth texture. The seams are tightly wrapped. The wrapper has a matte type finish as far as the oil is concerned. The band is a beautiful work of Art.

Aroma 

Earth, hay and a faint citrus aroma on the wrapper and the same at the foot.

Prelight Draw 

Earth, cedar, citrus sweetness, bread, mixed nuts and spice.

1st

Initial draws reveal bready notes alongside some mixed nuts. The draw is snug. The burn line has a bit of a wave. The ash is light gray, stacked and a bit flaky. The spice begins developing right away as well. It seems to start out as a white pepper with a faint hint of black. Some citrus notes join the profile late in the 1st/3rd. The strength is at the top end of medium. There is also a honey like sweetness.

2nd

The finish is long with notes of earth, fresh bread, citrus, mixed nuts, honey and a mix of white & black pepper spice. Smoke production is in the medium range. The flavors are well balanced. The texture of the smoke is creamy. The draw begins to loosen up at the midway point of the cigar. Strength moves to medium+. Right before the end of the 2nd/3rd the spice becomes more of a crushed red pepper. 

Final/3rd

The final/3rd starts with a transition of the bready notes becoming more like a buttery cracker note. Strength moves to med/full. Late in the final/3rd the spice moves to the low end of a jalapeño pepper. 

Overall the Bellas Artes provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A complex and very balanced full flavor profile. Another winner for AJ Fernandez. 

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