A Broadleaf Beauty Takes Center Stage

The evening air hung thick with anticipation at The Oasis last night. Not the usual Idaho spring breeze that carries hints of mountain pine, but the kind of anticipation reserved for when something truly special is about to unfold. Our sacred backyard haven – that meticulously crafted wooden deck with its strategically placed chairs and well-worn ashtrays – played host to what can only be described as a diplomatic summit of distinguished palates.

Our guest of honor wasn't a person, but rather a masterfully crafted cylinder of aged tobacco: the AJ Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf Toro. This dark beauty was brought to us courtesy of Tommy Elledge from The Idaho Cigar Cartel, who arrived with the subtle smugness of someone who knows they're carrying contraband worth its weight in gold.

"Gentlemen," he announced with ceremonial gravity, "tonight we smoke what AJ himself considers one of his finest creations."

The regular crew settled in, bourbon glasses clinked, and the ritual began.

First Impressions & Construction

The Enclave Broadleaf Toro presents itself with undeniable authority. Measuring a commanding 6½ x 54, this isn't a cigar that apologizes for taking up space. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper displays a dark chocolate complexion with an oily sheen that catches the light like a freshly waxed muscle car.

The wrapper features subtle tooth – not unlike the texture you'd find on an expensive leather watchband that's been worn just enough to develop character without losing its integrity. Several modest veins traverse the length of the cigar, but they're integrated so seamlessly they appear more as intentional aesthetic details than construction flaws.

The double cap is applied with precision that would make a neurosurgeon nod with professional respect. The red and gold band stands in striking contrast against the dark wrapper – a visual declaration of the premium experience that awaits.

When squeezed between the fingers, the Toro exhibits just the right amount of give – like pressing the perfect doorbell; firm enough to know you've made contact, but not so rigid that it feels lifeless. The cigar's weight distribution is so impeccably balanced that if NASA engineers made cigars, this would be their prototype.

The cold draw delivers notes of dark cocoa, sweet earth, with subtle hints of stone fruit and a pleasant spicy tingle on the lips – a handshake that tells you immediately what kind of personality you're dealing with.

First Third: The Introduction

After toasting the foot with the ceremonial patience this cigar demands, the first few puffs deliver a peppery greeting – not the harsh, wake-up-call kind, but a dignified announcement of what's to come. The pepper quickly settles, allowing a rich profile to emerge.

Dark chocolate notes dominate the early experience, supported by a framework of cedar and earth. There's a delightful baking spice quality that weaves through each puff – think cinnamon and nutmeg, but with a sophistication that elevates them beyond their kitchen origins. The retrohale amplifies these notes with a pleasant tingling sensation that doesn't overwhelm.

The burn line establishes itself with laser-like precision – as straight as the alibis we all give when explaining why Tuesday night cigar sessions run into Wednesday morning. The ash builds with the structural integrity of a well-engineered bridge – holding firm for nearly two inches before gracefully detaching.

The smoke production is generous without being excessive – like the perfect dinner host who ensures your plate and glass are never empty but doesn't force seconds upon you. The draw offers ideal resistance – similar to sipping a perfectly crafted milkshake through a straw; effortless yet substantial enough to know you're experiencing something of substance.

"This is no ordinary broadleaf," muttered one of our more discerning colleagues, breaking the reverent silence that had fallen over The Oasis. "AJ has somehow tamed the beast without caging it."

Second Third: The Development

As the Enclave Broadleaf Toro progresses into its middle section, a fascinating evolution occurs. The initial chocolate notes take on a more complex character, developing into a rich mocha with subtle coffee undertones. The pepper recedes further into the background, allowing a sweet breadiness to emerge – reminiscent of fresh-baked dark pumpernickel.

A leathery quality joins the profile, adding dimension and depth to each draw. The cedar remains present but transforms into something more refined – less lumberyard and more antique writing desk. The retrohale now carries hints of dried fruit alongside the continuing spice.

The burn remains exceptional, requiring no touch-ups – like that one friend who somehow never needs directions no matter where you're going. The ash continues to hold admirably, suggesting a level of tobacco curing and blending expertise that can only come from generations of experience.

The body of the cigar has gradually intensified from medium to medium-full, though never becoming overwhelming – like a conversation that deepens naturally without veering into uncomfortable territory. The smoke remains cool and abundant, filling The Oasis with aromatic clouds that prompt appreciative nods from even our most stoic attendees.

"You know what impresses me most?" offered another member of our gathering, rotating the cigar to admire its construction. "The consistency between puffs. Every draw delivers exactly what you expect but never bores you."

Final Third: The Resolution

The Enclave Broadleaf Toro saves its most compelling performance for its final act. The profile shifts toward a more pronounced earthiness, with the sweetness transforming into a dark molasses character. The spice returns with renewed purpose, though now it's integrated perfectly with the core flavors rather than standing apart.

Notes of espresso emerge alongside a fascinating mineral quality – like the satisfaction of licking your lips after enjoying a perfectly cooked steak. The retrohale now carries a more pronounced black pepper, though it remains remarkably smooth.

Despite burning for well over an hour, the cigar remains cool to the nub – like an old friendship that never grows tiresome. The construction holds its integrity throughout, never requiring a relight or showing signs of tunneling – a testament to the quality of tobacco and craftsmanship at Tabacalera Fernandez.

The strength builds to a solid medium-full by the conclusion, providing a satisfying finish without the palate fatigue that lesser cigars often impose. Even in its final moments, the Enclave Broadleaf Toro maintains its dignity and complexity – going out not with a whimper but with a resolute final statement.

"That," declared Tommy with the satisfaction of someone whose recommendation has been vindicated, "is how AJ intended broadleaf to be experienced."

Technical Performance

Throughout the smoking experience, the Enclave Broadleaf Toro performed with exceptional technical merit:

• Burn: As consistent as sunrise in the desert – unwavering, predictable, yet somehow still captivating each time. The burn line remained razor-sharp from first light to final puff.
• Draw: Provided just the right amount of resistance – like a perfectly calibrated luxury car door that closes with authoritative precision rather than slamming shut.
• Ash: Held firm in impressive inch-and-a-half segments before gracefully departing – never once threatening to christen anyone's shirt with the dreaded gray powder badge of enthusiasm.
• Smoke Output: Generated plentiful, aromatic clouds without turning The Oasis into a foggy London street scene – substantial without being excessive.
• Construction: Displayed flawless craftsmanship from cap to foot – no soft spots, no plugs, no irregularities in combustion or flavor delivery.

Value Assessment

With a retail price point hovering around $14, the Enclave Broadleaf Toro represents an exceptional value in today's premium cigar landscape. When measured against comparably priced offerings, it delivers a smoking experience that punches well above its weight class – like finding a gourmet meal at diner prices.

The exceptional construction ensures you extract maximum enjoyment from every dollar spent, with no frustrating performance issues to detract from the experience. The lengthy smoking time – approximately 80 minutes of focused enjoyment – further enhances the value proposition.

In an era when many premium manufacturers seem to be testing the upper boundaries of consumer tolerance for pricing, AJ Fernandez continues to deliver remarkable quality at accessible price points. The Enclave Broadleaf Toro stands as compelling evidence that excellence need not come with an exclusionary price tag.

Pairing Suggestions

The Enclave Broadleaf Toro's rich, complex profile makes it an ideal companion for various beverages:

• Bourbon: A wheated bourbon with vanilla undertones beautifully complements the cigar's chocolate and baking spice notes while adding a caramel dimension to the experience.
• Rum: An aged dark rum harmonizes perfectly with the sweetness and spice of the broadleaf wrapper, creating a symphony of complementary flavors.
• Coffee: A medium-dark roast espresso or pour-over intensifies the cigar's cocoa notes while providing palate-cleansing contrast to its earthier aspects.
• Port: A tawny port draws out the cigar's fruit notes while its sweetness creates a fascinating counterpoint to the peppery elements.

Our gathering overwhelmingly favored the bourbon pairing, with several voices declaring it "the kind of combination that makes you question why you'd ever waste your time with lesser pleasures."

Comparative Context

For those seeking to place the Enclave Broadleaf Toro within the broader cigar landscape, several comparisons prove instructive:

• Compared to the original Enclave, the Broadleaf offers a richer, sweeter profile with more pronounced chocolate notes and a fuller body. The original Enclave features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that delivers a more pronounced spice character.
• Set against other Connecticut Broadleaf offerings like the Arturo Fuente Añejo or Liga Privada No. 9, the Enclave Broadleaf holds its own with comparable complexity but at a significantly more accessible price point.
• When compared to other AJ Fernandez creations like New World or San Lotano Maduro, the Enclave Broadleaf distinguishes itself with a more refined sweetness and exceptional balance between power and finesse.

One particularly insightful observation came from across The Oasis: "It's like AJ took everything he learned from making cigars for other brands and applied it to creating his ideal broadleaf expression."

Final Verdict

The AJ Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf Toro stands as a remarkable achievement in cigar blending – a perfect amalgamation of accessibility and sophistication. It offers enough complexity to satisfy the most experienced palate while remaining approachable enough for those relatively new to premium cigars.

The exceptional construction, consistent performance, and remarkable flavor development throughout the smoking experience elevate it above many comparably priced offerings. At its core, this cigar represents what AJ Fernandez does best: delivering premium quality and experience without the premium price tag.

For those who appreciate the rich sweetness of Connecticut Broadleaf but desire something more refined than the often overwhelming strength that accompanies many such blends, the Enclave Broadleaf Toro offers an ideal compromise – full-flavored satisfaction without palate fatigue.

As our evening at The Oasis concluded and the final puffs were savored, the consensus was clear: the Enclave Broadleaf Toro had earned a permanent place in our regular rotation. Tommy's smug expression was now fully justified, his status as bearer of exceptional tobacco firmly cemented.

In the final accounting, on a scale where 100 represents perfection, the AJ Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf Toro scores a rock-solid 93 – an exceptional cigar that delivers far more than its price point suggests and one worthy of a dedicated place in any well-stocked humidor.

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