There are cigars that surprise you, and then there are cigars that make you rethink what you thought you knew about a wrapper. The H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez Sunrise is firmly in the second camp.
The H. Upmann Nicaragua Sunrise is the third expression in the collaboration between the H. Upmann brand and master blender AJ Fernandez, joining the original 2017 release and the Heritage from 2021. It uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and filler from Fernandez's own farms — a combination designed to be the most accessible of the three without being mild or forgettable.
- H. Upmann Nicaragua Sunrise: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and filler from AJ Fernandez's farms — the 3rd and most approachable expression in the series.
- Cedar, toasted nuts, and light spice up front; coffee and natural sweetness develop through the middle — medium body that earns its Connecticut wrapper rather than hides behind it.
- At $14.25 for the Churchill, it's the right on-ramp to one of the best manufacturer collaborations in the industry right now.
THE BLEND
When most cigar lovers hear "Connecticut wrapper," their brain goes somewhere predictable. Mild. Creamy. Safe. The Sunrise quietly challenges that assumption. Built around an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and fillers sourced directly from AJ Fernandez's own farms, this is a medium-bodied smoke with a Nicaraguan soul that doesn't let the wrapper do all the talking.
The tobaccos underneath are what keep this honest. Fernandez selected Nicaraguan leaf from his own farms for both the binder and filler, which means the character and strength he's known for are present even under a shade-grown wrapper. The result is a cigar that looks approachable on paper and delivers considerably more than that in practice.
The bright orange and gold packaging is no accident — it was designed to reflect the color of an actual sunrise. That kind of attention to the full product experience, from the leaf to the band to the box, is part of what makes Fernandez collaborations worth paying attention to.
THE SMOKE
The Churchill (7×50) is the size that gives this blend the most room to breathe. The first third opens with creamy cedar and toasted nuts, light spice underneath, and a smoothness that sets a confident tone without being one-dimensional. This is a cigar built for a morning coffee, or for those moments when you want something that doesn't demand full attention but rewards it when you give it.
Through the second third, the complexity earned by the Nicaraguan core starts to surface. Hints of coffee and natural sweetness develop on the palate, and the spice from the filler becomes more defined rather than fading out. The retrohale has an earthy, slightly floral quality that's a pleasant surprise from a Connecticut wrapper.
The final third stays composed and finishes with a lingering warmth. No harshness, no sudden strength spike. AJ Fernandez builds finishes the way good blenders do — you're not reaching to put it down early.
"Not your typical Connecticut Shade wrapper. This is a Nicaraguan soul wrapped in orange and gold."— BLC ON THE SUNRISE
THE BLIND LABEL TAKE
At $14.25 for the Churchill, this is an accessible entry point into one of the strongest collaborations in the industry right now. If you've been sitting on the fence about AJ Fernandez's work, or weren't sure where to start with the H. Upmann Nicaragua line, the Sunrise is your on-ramp. Friendly without being forgettable. Medium without being boring.
This cigar is specifically built for the smoker who wants something daily-driver suitable that still has enough going on to hold your attention through a full smoke. Price-to-value is strong here. Keep an eye out — it began shipping to retailers right after PCA 2026. If your shop doesn't have it yet, they will soon.
