Man O’ War rewrote the playbook for producing reasonably priced ultra-premium cigars. The Man O’ War Side Project cigars are revised blends that come in a variety of sizes and shapes. However, each cigar in the line is presented in one shape and size—this aids in balancing the blend. A.J. Fernandez has surpluses of limited tobaccos that are impossible to mass-produce. Each side project blend uses this tobacco in their small-batch limited runs.
The core blend in Man O’ War Side Project cigars is Nicaraguan long-fillers tucked into a flavor-packed Mexican binder. Certain growing regions of Nicaragua hold rich volcanic soils that are similar to those of Cuba. Man O’ War Side Project cigars hail from the black as pitch soils of Estelí. Tobacco grown here results in thicker leaves and a more pronounced flavor. Spicy Ligero tobacco, which comes from the plant's upper priming where it receives the most sunlight, is utilized in these blends.
The first Man O’ War Side Project we’ll inspect is the Skull Crusher. Concealing the core Man O’ War Side Project blend is a dense, oily Pennsylvania Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. This is a Salomon-shaped cigar measuring 5.7 x 56. Due to the curves of this shape, the cigar is challenging to roll. For this reason, it is only trusted to the most skilled torcedores. Once you get the full-strength Skull Crusher burning, expect notes of red pepper, dark cocoa, honey, and bold spice. The spiciness of the filler blend is well balanced by the sweeter notes coming from the broadleaf wrapper.
Next up is the Man O’ War Side Project 52C. Here we have a Robusto shape measuring 5 x 52. This cigar also utilizes a wedge cap. The larger ring gauge helps balance the potent Ligero inside. The core blend remains the same, though the binder is Nicaraguan. A great-looking dark Ecuadorian Habano Ligero leaf finished the stick. The outcome is a full-strength cigar with notes of cayenne pepper, baker’s chocolate, black coffee, and sweetness.
A.J.’s next Side Project cigar is the appropriately named Little Devil. This corona-shaped stick may be small, measuring in at 5.5 x 44, but this full-strength smoky demon isn’t pulling any punches. Covering up the core blend is a devilishly handsome extra fermented Ecuadorian Habano sun-grown wrapper. Expect notes of white pepper, chocolate, spicy cedar, and hay.
The Man O’ War Side Project Phalanx sports a midnight black Pennsylvania broadleaf Maduro wrapper. It’s Gordo shaped and measures in at a sturdy 6.5 x 56. Overflowing with flavor, once you get this baby burning, you’ll experience milk chocolate, paprika, and cedar.
Please enjoy Man O’ War Side Project cigars at your leisure.
Side Project Skull Crusher: Red pepper, dark cocoa, honey, bold spice.
Side Project 52C: Cayenne pepper, baker’s chocolate, black coffee, sweetness.
Side Project Little Devil: White pepper, chocolate, spicy cedar, hay.
Side Project Phalanx: Milk chocolate, paprika, cedar.
