AJ Fernandez New World Cameroon

The Leaf

• Country of Origin: Nicaragua

• Wrapper: African Cameroon

• Binder: Nicaragua

• Filler: Nicaragua

• Size: Robusto

• Body: Medium

• Strength: Mild to Medium

• Personal Rating: 6.5 / 10 - Campfire Smoke.

• If you like this, you might also like: Arturo Fuente Hemingway Series, CAO Cameroon, E.P. Carrillo Encore.

What We Do Here

The beauty of cigars isn’t just in the smoke...it’s in the ritual, the memory, the lore. Each review starts with the basics: how it smokes, how it tastes, whether it’s worth lighting up again or buying a box. Then, for those chasing the full story, we peel back the layers,

deeper notes, subtleties, and the craft behind the leaf. At the end, we leave you with a little folklore to match the mood. Because around here, the smoke always carries a story.

Casual Take

This cigar has a clean, old school feel. The Cameroon wrapper gives it a light, dry look. It's a firm box press with just enough give in the hand. On the cold draw you’ll notice a little peat, oak, and a spice that reminds you it’s more than just a simple cigar. It lights easily and gives off thick, creamy smoke. The flavors stay mellow; toast, almonds, and hay, with occasional white pepper and a faint mineral finish. Nothing wild, but steady and easy to smoke. If you like straightforward Cameroons, this one won’t let you down.

Deep Burn

The flavor remains pretty steady through the first third. Toast, creamy almond, a pinch of earth and coffee show up early, with a whisper of spice on the palate and retrohale. A slight metallic finish appears but it doesn’t dominate and mellows out as you go. In the second third, dark chocolate starts to emerge. It plays well with the creamy nuts and oak. The pepper stays consistent but never takes over. Construction holds together beautifully. Smoke output is generous, the draw is smooth, and the burn stays even after a one time touch up. The final third brings more of the dark chocolate while the sweetness and metallic note get stronger. Roasted earth, coffee, and hay make a quiet return. Strength builds to a solid medium but the profile stays balanced. It never really shifts gears, which keeps it from being complex, but there’s something nice about that kind of consistency.

The Heart of the Leaf

The New World Cameroon Churchill is a reliable, no-nonsense smoke. It doesn't aim to blow your palate out of the water, and that’s fine. Not every cigar needs to be a journey. Sometimes you want something steady and familiar. This one’s smooth, calm, and easy to light up when you just want to relax. At a 6.5, it lands in a "Campfire Smoke" rating. Pleasant, casual, and relaxed. Maybe not box-worthy, but worth keeping around for when you want something mellow that doesn’t ask much from you.

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The Lore

This cigar reminds me of stories told around dying campfires. The ones you hear after the kids have gone to bed and the whiskey’s about halfway gone. Nothing too wild, but there’s a weight to them. A kind of steadying presence. In parts of West Africa, the Cameroon region in particular, elders used to speak of spirits that didn’t roar or flash. These were the watchers, not the warriors. They were calm. They stayed still. You wouldn’t notice them unless you slowed down long enough. They didn’t change the world, they just kept it turning. Balanced. Quiet. Present.

That’s this cigar. You light it up and there’s no grand story waiting. It doesn’t unravel like a mystery or slap you around with flavor swings. It just sits with you. Steady. Smooth. Watching.

So maybe next time you need a break from all the loud ones, give this one a seat at the table. Sometimes the best company is the kind that lets you think your own thoughts.

The cigars in this review were purchased by me

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