Best Cigar Prices has teamed up with renowned cigarmaker AJ Fernandez to launch Barn Cured, a new line of exclusive cigars that pays tribute to one of the most fundamental yet overlooked steps in tobacco preparation.
The collaboration brings three distinct blends to the market, each showcasing different wrapper leaves while highlighting the ancient practice of air-curing tobacco in barns. According to Greg Fox, CEO of Best Cigar Prices, this partnership aims to shine a spotlight on a critical process that often goes unrecognized by cigar enthusiasts.
"The time-honored tradition of air-curing tobacco leaves via barns is often an unsung part of the cigarmaking process," said Fox. "We're excited to celebrate this important step with a new line of house blends we're making with AJ [Fernandez]."
Three Blends, One Vision
The Barn Cured line consists of three varieties, each wrapped in premium leaves sourced from different regions. The original Barn Cured features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper, while Barn Cured Red showcases an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The boldest option, Barn Cured Black, comes dressed in a Mexican San Andres wrapper.
All three blends incorporate Nicaraguan tobaccos as their foundation. The Red blend distinguishes itself by adding Mexican leaves to the mix, while the Black variety goes further by including both Mexican and Honduran longfillers alongside the Nicaraguan tobacco. This careful selection of leaves from multiple growing regions creates distinct flavor profiles across the line.
The development process wasn't rushed. Jim Charnley, COO of Best Cigar Prices, explained that the team spent considerable time perfecting the blends before settling on the final three offerings.
"Barn Cured is the result of a painstaking process of testing blends until we found three that were worthy of our Best Cigar Prices family," said Charnley. "The best part is that they're priced to be accessible to most cigar lovers. To have a blend that checks every box at a fair price is an incredible accomplishment for all involved."
The Science Behind Barn Curing
The name Barn Cured isn't just marketing—it references an essential stage in tobacco production that directly impacts the final product's quality and character. After farmers harvest tobacco leaves, they hang them in large, well-ventilated barns where they remain for several weeks.
During this extended period, the tobacco gradually loses moisture while beginning to develop the flavor characteristics that will define it. The barn-curing process triggers a chemical transformation as chlorophyll within the leaves breaks down. This natural breakdown causes the leaves to shift from their original green color on the plant to the various shades of brown that cigar lovers see when browsing their humidors.
This initial curing stage sets the foundation for everything that follows in the cigar-making journey. The flavors that emerge during barn curing will influence how the tobacco responds to fermentation and aging, ultimately shaping the smoking experience.
Bringing Quality Within Reach
One of the key selling points of the Barn Cured line is its accessibility. While many premium cigars command higher prices, especially those bearing well-known names, this collaboration focuses on delivering quality at a price point that doesn't require special occasions or celebrations.
The emphasis on affordability doesn't mean corners were cut in production. Working with AJ Fernandez, a cigarmaker with a strong reputation in the industry, ensures the blends maintain high standards while keeping costs reasonable for regular smokers.
Shane Wirta, Retail Marketing and Merchandising Director of Best Cigar Prices, expressed confidence in the final product after sampling the completed blends.
"I couldn't be prouder of our team. After trying the Barn Cured blends, I know we have something truly special," added Wirta. "I can't wait for you to try it."
Best Cigar Prices Background
The company behind this launch has deep roots in the American cigar market. Best Cigar Prices has operated for more than 25 years as an American-owned business, building a reputation as a leading source for cigars and accessories at competitive prices.
The retailer maintains an extensive inventory featuring over 9,000 items from nearly 1,000 brands, giving customers access to both popular labels and lesser-known offerings. The company backs its pricing with an industry-leading price matching guarantee, reinforcing its commitment to value.
What This Means for Cigar Smokers
The launch of Barn Cured adds another option to an already crowded marketplace, but the partnership between Best Cigar Prices and AJ Fernandez brings credibility to the offering. Fernandez has built his reputation by consistently producing well-regarded cigars across various brands and price points.
For smokers looking to expand their rotation without breaking the bank, the three Barn Cured blends offer different wrapper options and tobacco combinations. The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper typically provides a smoother, more refined experience, while Ecuadorian Habano tends toward fuller flavors with some spice. The Mexican San Andres wrapper in the Black blend usually delivers the boldest, richest profile of the three.
The inclusion of tobaccos from multiple countries—Nicaragua, Mexico, and Honduras—in different combinations across the line suggests each blend will offer its own distinct character rather than minor variations on a single theme.
Looking Ahead
As the Barn Cured line reaches the market, it will face the ultimate test: whether smokers embrace it enough to make it a regular part of their cigar selection. The combination of an established retailer, a respected cigarmaker, and a focus on value-driven pricing positions the line favorably, but success ultimately depends on the smoking experience these cigars deliver.
The focus on barn curing as the central theme also serves an educational purpose, drawing attention to a process many cigar enthusiasts may not fully appreciate. By connecting the brand name directly to this crucial step in tobacco preparation, the launch could help deepen understanding of what goes into creating a quality cigar beyond just the rolling and aging processes that typically get more attention.
For those interested in trying the new line, the cigars are available through Best Cigar Prices' extensive distribution network, which has served customers across the country for over two decades. Whether the Barn Cured blends become staples in humidors nationwide or simply add variety to the market remains to be seen, but the partnership represents a solid effort to deliver quality cigars at accessible prices while honoring the traditional methods that make them possible.
