Graycliff Turbo brings a powerful yet balanced cigar to Graycliff's portfolio and is sure to satisfy all fans of full-bodied, full-flavored and robust blends.

The Graycliff name has become a staple in a world filled with cigar and wine connoisseurs searching for the best products money can buy. Graycliff owner Enrico Garzaroli founded his esteemed resort in 1973, establishing not only the Caribbean's first 5-Star restaurant but also creating the home to what is now the world's second largest private wine collection. In addition to his resort and wine cellar, Erico Garzaroli also set out to create the finest cigars available, and thus the Graycliff brand was born.

Hailing from Nicaragua, Turbo comes packed with flavor due to its tasty, oily yet extremely light Maduro wrapper, which brings enjoyable hints of spicy notes to a complex blend of Cuban-seed Nicaraguan long leaves. You can expect an earthy character up front which transforms into spicy flavors filled with pepper as cedar rests on your palate for a long, enjoyable finish. This elegent, well balanced cigar is a must try for all Graycliff fans but will satisfy even the most discerning fans of full-bodied blends.

Q: What is a segundo?

A: Segundo simply means second in spanish and is the term used to describe cigars that do not pass final quality inspection at the factory. Factory managers and manufacturers such as Rocky Patel have rigorous quality control standards. They inspect each and every cigar that comes off the line, searching for blemishes, wrapper discoloration and other cosmetic problems. Any cigars that have further issues such as a poor draw or an acrid taste are discarded. These "segundos" however still contain the same exact blend as the firsts and burn well - they simply don't meet up to the cosmetic standards set by the factory. At Cigar.com, we jump at the chance to get segundos since we can offer them to our clients at a phenominal price due to their cosmetic problems. In the end, you can pick up a $5 segundo that tastes and burns the same as its $10 first, which is why they are great choice for new and experienced aficionados.

03/03/2010: Alex sits down for a face to face interview with Pete Johnson of Tatuaje Cigars. Join them as they discuss Pete's early years in the industry, what's in the near future for Tatuaje, and much more. Hey, where's Tim? [Listen Now]

Man O' War Special Edition contains the same premium Nicaraguan filler and binder found in the original Man O' War blend, but comes wrapped with the premium Habano wrapper found on Man O' War Ruination for a completely different, unique, yet enjoyable full-bodied experience.

This cigar comes on the heels of Man O' War Ruination. With this blend, you get the best of both worlds in a full-bodied yet mellow format. The special edition figurado size also lends to a complex, unique experience with many competing notes of white pepper, earth, peat, hints of cedar, spice, leather and some light sweet nuances on the finish. Any fan of A.J. Fernandez should give this limited, highly tasty blend a try.

Figurado (7.1"x58) This is a great limited edition cigar but be patient when lighting since it takes a good half inch for the cigar to fully combust and create those rich flavors you're searching for. Offers completely different and unique flavors not found in either Man O' War or Ruination but still maintains a full body throughout. The first inch maintains a slightly sweet nuance mixed with earth which transitions into bold, full-flavored notes of spice and pepper. The strength hits you in your gut, not your head so expect a perfect balance from head to foot. This stick will easily burn for an hour and 30 minutes. 89/100 [Buy Now]

J. Fuego Casa Fuego - A bold, hearty blend featuring all Nicaraguan tobaccos, J. Fuego Casa Fuego is a fantastic everyday cigar for the medium to full-bodied enthusiast.

Joya de Nicaragua Fuerte - Made by Alejandro Martinez-Cuenca, one of the most legendary cigar makers in the world, Fuerte encapsulates all you would expect from Joya de Nicaragua but with an incredibly attractive price point!

El Mejor Espresso - El Mejor Espresso is one of the best tasting maduros on the market for less than $2.50 a stick!

Man O' War Special Edition - Contains the same filler and binder found in the original Man O' War blend, but comes wrapped with the premium Habano wrapper found on Man O' War Ruination for a completely different, unique, yet enjoyable full-bodied experience.

Cigar.com (CC): A.J., you've made a big name for yourself in a short period of time. When did you get involved in cigars?

A.J. Fernandez (A.J.): Life in Cuba was very tough. I always held a job to help my family and everyday after work I would watch my grandfather and father make cigars. When I was 12-years-old, I realized how important cigars were to my family and our hertiage so I decided I wanted to learn everything I could to continue the legacy. I started by working along side my father growing tobacco and fermenting the leaves. He eventually left Cuba for Nicaragua and so I continued my education with Alejandro Robaiña.

CC: How did you hook up with Alejandro? He is considered the last great tobacco man in Cuba. Was it by chance?

A.J.: It wasn't by chance at all. He was my neighbor. Their family has always been like my own.

CC: You are only 31 now. How old were you when you came to Nicaragua and what was the transition from Cuba like?

A.J.: I moved to Nicaragua when I was 24 years old. My dad had made arrangements for me to come help him at the Plasencia Factory where he helps with their tobacco fermentation. I worked along side him for the first year before I decided that I wanted to make my own mark. I have always been more of an entreprenuer and wanted to combine that with my passion for tobacco and cigars.

CC: What was your first factory like and was it difficult getting started?

A.J.: Starting up on my own was very tough. I had a lot of family in the business in Nicaragua and I knew how to make a great cigar, but I had a hard time finding clients since I didn't have any contacts in the U.S. I started with just a few small bales of tobacco and two pairs of cigar rollers. Money was tight. I remember not being able to eat everyday so I could ensure I had enough money to pay my employees. I started by helping other factories who were at capacity and needed extra production, then I met my partner Kris who had a wealth of contacts in the industry in the U.S. and business took off.

CC: I'll say so, in just 5 years you have built one of the largest cigar operations in Latin America let alone Nicaragua. How have you shaped your vision?

A.J.: Everyday I think about what it took to get to where I am today and I remember what it was like struggling to make ends meet. It keeps me humble and I always remember my roots. The things I learned as a boy from my family and mentors were the oldest secrets for working with tobacco and making cigars. I see many other people in the industry who may have known these same production methods early on but have abandoned them in favor of new techniques that save money. In my opinion, these "new" techniques diminish the quality of their product and depart from the true roots of what made Cuban cigars great so long ago. Preserving this tradition is my top priority. I have no plans of ever changing the way I run my business and I will never change the methods in which I make my cigars.

Today, I grow my own tobacco as well as buy from specific suppliers but I also handle all of my own fermentation and blending procedures and supervise every aspect of my business. To help me, I rely on my supervisors. I hand-picked each supervisor from Cuban, specifically from the town I grew up. Guys that I know are like minded and learned about the same old traditions in cigar making as I did.

CC: So what's next?

A.J.: I just want to continue growing and maintaining the quality my customers expect from me. Tradition is the name of the game for Tabacalera Fernandez and that's something I never want to change.

CC: A.J., thanks for taking the time to meet with me. Is there anything you want to say before we wrap up.

A.J.: I just want to thank everyone that has supported me. God bless.