AJ Fernandez Viva La Vida

Viva La Vida is a boutique brand created by 2 brothers (Billy and Gus Fakih) who used to own retail cigar stores in Manhattan. After they sold those stores in 2015, they didn’t feel like they were done with the premium cigar industry. They launched their own company called Artesano del Tabaco and went to work creating their own line of premium cigars. To date, they have only released a few brands. But, they work hand-in-hand with their manufacturing partner, AJ Fernandez. They elected to have Fernandez make their cigars as they felt he could best bring their vision to life of creating some exceptional Nicaraguan Puro cigars. Additionally, all Artesano del Tabaco cigars are distributed through AJ Fernandez to retailers. The relationship between the brothers and Fernandez is so tight that most people mistakenly assume Artesano del Tabaco cigars are part of the Fernandez portfolio.

Working together with AJ Fernandez to create Viva La Vida cigars has been quite the adventure for Billy and Gus Fakih. When they wanted to create their own brand of premium cigars, they knew that there was one person that could bring their vision to life. Working hand-in-hand with Fernandez, they quickly got a quick but detailed education in premium tobacco. AJ helped them select tobacco and try many different blends before settling on what would become their Viva La Vida line. The blend is a Nicaraguan Puro featuring Nicaraguan Criollo filler tobaccos and a Nicaraguan Corojo binder. The wrapper is a Nicaraguan Habano leaf grown by AJ Fernandez, and the cigars are rolled at his San Lotano Factory. Tasting notes include flavors of leather, earth, pepper, and cream with hints of cedar, smoked meats, and honey butter. This kind of flavor bomb is what makes brands like Viva La Vida so exciting.