JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries by Aganorsa Leaf

In 2018, the company known as Casa Fernandez Cigars underwent a major rebranding. The company renamed itself to Aganorsa Leaf and then proceeded to streamline and refresh the packaging in its portfolio. This process is not something that has been done overnight as Aganorsa Leaf has slowly been implementing this. In 2020, there was a line in the portfolio known as the JFR Lunatic Torch. It was a cigar that was released in late 2015. It was a 7 x 50 Churchill featuring a brushed footer and a simple red and white band. The cigar was quietly sitting in the portfolio until this year when it was time to refresh the JFR Lunatic line. Gone would be the Churchill size and in came three new sizes. The line would also receive more aesthetically pleasing packaging – similar to the look of the JFR Lunatic Loco line. In addition, the loose shagged foot of the old Torch was now made into more of a “rough cut” foot with the binder exposed Today we take a look at the JFR Lunatic Torch in the all-new Visionaries (Toro) size.

JFR Lunatic Torch Churchill (2015) – Photo Credit: Aganorsa Leaf

JFR Lunatic made its debut back in 2013. It’s an offshoot of the original JFR line. It has evolved into a line that puts forth things out of the norm for Aganorsa Leaf. This includes very large ring cigars, long cigars, perfectos, and rough cut footers. Over the years, the JFR Lunatic has become one of Aganorsa Leaf’s most popular brands.

Without further ado, let’s break down The JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries and see what this cigar brings to the table.

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

The blend of the JFR Lunatic Torch consists of 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos grown on the Aganorsa farms highlighted by a Nicaraguan Corojo ’99. Production is handled at the TABSA factory in Estelí, Nicaragua

Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo ’99
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaragua
Country: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacos Valle de Jalapa S.A. (TABSA)

Vitolas Offered

The Aganorsa Leaf Torch is available in three sizes. Each is presented in ten-count boxes

Visionaries: 6 1/2 x 52
Dreamlands: 6 1/2 x 60
Mad Folk: 4 3/4 x 70

Packaging of the JFR Lunatic Torch; Photo Credit: Aganorsa Leaf

Appearance

The Nicaraguan Corojo ’99 wrapper of the JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries had a medium brown color with a cinnamon tint to it. There was a slight amount of oil on the wrapper’s surface. This was a slightly bumpy wrapper that had both visible veins and visible wrapper seams. The rough cut footer extends about 1/2 inch up the cigar (and is shorter than the original 7 x 50 Torch Churchill).

There are two bands on the JFR Lunatic Torch. The primary band has an indigo-colored circular field with the text “LUNATIC” in a white slightly cursive style font. Below the text is the text “NICARAGUA” in a smaller gold font. There is a gold ring surrounding the field with some indigo accents around it. To the left and right there are three gold and indigo crescent moon designs with leaf-like accents. The far left and right have gold and indigo wave designs. The band is finished with a thick gold trim.

The secondary band features an indigo circle with the Aganorsa Leaf logo of an arm grabbing tobacco. Above the logo is the text “TORCH” arranged in a curved font. Below the logo is the text “Aganorsa Leaf” also arranged in a curved font. The circular field features a gold frame. To the near left of the frame are some leaf designs, further to the left and right are two gold medallions. There is gold striping to the far left and right. This band is also finished with a thick gold trim.

Primary (Left) and Secondary (Right) Bands of the JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries by Aganorsa Leaf

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw

Prior to lighting up the JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries, a straight cut was used to remove the cap of the cigar. Once the cap was removed, it was on to the pre-light draw phase. The cold draw delivered a mix of natural tobacco, fruit, and earth. Overall this was a satisfactory pre-light draw experience. At this point, it was time to light up The JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries and see what the smoking phase would have in store.

Tasting Notes

The JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries started out with notes of earth, black pepper, cedar, and fruit. The earth dominated through the rough cut portion of the cigar. As the JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries moved to the wrapper section, some natural tobacco notes emerged. The natural tobacco joined the earth notes in the forefront. There was a fusion between the natural tobacco and earth. Meanwhile, the fruit and pepper notes settled in the background.

The fusion of the earth and natural tobacco continued in the second third. During this phase of the smoking experience of The JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries, there was a gradual increase in the black pepper on the tongue. The cedar and fruit notes remained in the more distant background.

By the last third of the JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries, the pepper notes joined the fused natural tobacco and earth notes. Meanwhile, the cedar and fruit notes remained in the distant background. This is the way the cigar experience of the JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries came to a close. The resulting nub was slightly soft to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

While the JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries maintained a straight burn path, the burn line of the cigar had some jaggedness to it. This resulted in some additional touch-ups above the norm, but the touch-ups also did the trick of keeping the burn manageable. There was a clean transition of the burn from the rough-cut to the wrapper section.

Meanwhile, the resulting ash had a silver-gray color to it. This was an ash that was slightly loose and had some minor flaking. The burn rate and burn temperature were ideal.

JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries by Aganorsa Leaf-Burn

Burn of the JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries

Draw

The draw to the JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries had a touch of resistance to it – which is something that I like. Meanwhile, the cigar produced an ample amount of smoke.

Strength and Body

Overall the strength and body of the JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries came in at medium to full. Along the way, there was a nominal increase in the intensity of both attributes, but in the end, the JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries remained medium to full. In terms of strength versus body, both attributes balanced each other nicely with neither attribute overshadowing the other.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

I had smoked the original JFR Lunatic Torch Churchill when it first came out – and I found it to be a fine cigar. With the Torch in the Toro-sized Visionaries vitola, I found this to be even a better cigar. It has some of the same core flavors of the original, but the flavors seem better balanced and also seem to complement each other quite well. It’s not an overly complex cigar, but the Torch Visionaries does its job and does it well. With a 90 point score, the JFR Lunatic Torch Visionaries reaches our standard of excellence. It’s a cigar I would probably steer to a more seasoned cigar enthusiast because it does have some kick in terms of strength and body. As for myself, this is a cigar I would smoke again – and pick up multiples for the humidor.

Summary

Key Flavors: Natural Tobacco, Earth, Fruit, Cedar, Black Pepper
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium Minus
Strength: Medium to Full
Body: Medium to Full
Finish: Very Good