It is not everyday that I smoke a cigar from deep inside the depths of the special places in my humidor. When I do there is usually some sort of occasion attached to the smoke so it becomes significant to the event, place and time. In this case I was just in the mood for something bold, and special and whilst writing my latest political diatribe in my political blog (www.commonsensenotcommonpractice.blogspot.com), I fired up this selection from the dark recesses of the lower trays in my generous humi.
Opus smokes are often what the individual smoker makes of them. Much too strong for the regular Fuente smoker, in my opinion, they are a reserve smoke for those of us out here that like to experience the power of a cigar, while also understanding the subtle nuances. I am an arrogant SOB (most of you should know this by now) and I am a cigar elitist (most of you should know this as well), so I will come off as pedantic when I say if you can't understand the finer nuances of a fine smoke you should stick with whatever chicken bones you normally smoke until you graduate into the upper echelons. This takes years of hard work, and smoking, and smoking things that would make a goat puke, but you will eventually get there and when you do you will appreciate the finer smokes out there with the level of gravity and attention that they deserve. Of course I am just F'in with ya (or am I), you can smoke whatever you want (just don't expect to be offered something from my stash of specials).
The very name of this cigar inspires the imagination before it even breaches the wizened and yellowing cello. God's Whisper? I think I hear it as I get ready to smoke this bad boy. It's saying pay attention my son... The band work is excellent, the attention to detail here is wonderful. The wrapper is evenly and expertly applied by the hand of a master. The reddish hue and the wonderful dusty feeling are something to behold. An examination shows nary a blemish, soft spot or area too firm. The pre light aroma is a dazzling essence of French Toast from a food artisans kitchen. The pre light draw shows magnificent illuminations of pepper and wood.
The cigar opens with a profile that is full of cinnamon, maple and light wood essences. I am struck by the profundity of it all right off the bat. This complex array of flavors dances across the palate with the delicacy of a Joffrey trained ballet ingenue. There is so much balance and nuance that I struggle to figure it all out in the early moments. At the back of the palate there are wonderful hints of crisp tobacco and light earth that bind the sweetness of the front portion of the smoke wonderfully together. The draw is a dream and delivers booming clouds of smoke that lazily drift o'er head as I blog away on the idiocy of our elected officials. The burn is rock solid and the ash holds on wonderfully as the smoke progresses.
The first half of the smoke is wonderful. The core profile maintains some nice cinnamon flavors, but a slight hint of citrus zest has come in here as well and makes for an interesting flow. The back of the palate has picked up the syrupy, maple flavor with some wood and tobacco notes that complete a wonderfully balanced package of flavors. The draw maintains all it's glory as it churns out scads of smoke. The burn continues on unhindered as if in a slow directed march to the finish on a course that can not be deviated from.
The final half of the cigar is nearly legendary, and this is where the true Opus power and nuance come into full view. The core profile becomes a wonderfully peppery presentation that keeps building and building until it is slapping the palate with powerful bursts of pepper flavor. The palate reaction to this phenomenon is unique, most smokers would not be ready for this rapid turn of events in a cigar that had exhibited so much sweetness for the better part of the smoke. I truly enjoy turns of events like this and it excites me as a smoker. The back of the palate continues to deliver wood and tobacco notes as a base upon which the experience can lie. The draw was exceptional to the finish, as was the burn.
The finish was a fine array of pepper and wood, but came off a bit sharp. Having that as my only complaint I am willing to rate this as one of the finest smokes I have ever had in 25 years of smoking.
Appearance- 98 a wonderful looking smoke
Taste- 99 one point lost at the finish
Construction- 100 flawless
Strength- 97 a powerhouse, but wonderful
Overall- 98.75 a classic smoke no matter how you cut it
Showing posts with label Arturo Fuente. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arturo Fuente. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Friday, January 10, 2014
Arturo Fuente Destino al Siglo De Familia (6.5x46)
This much anticipated cigar was nearly completely derailed a year or so ago when a fire wiped out some precious tobacco stock that was earmarked for this blend. It was sad news for all Fuente enthusiasts as I am sure we were all waiting for this special anniversary smoke. I for one was looking forward to it for several years, ever since I heard about it really. The buzz created by these legendary brands is really very remarkable, and even someone that does not follow the hype (like me) get caught up in the hullabaloo. I was so thrilled when I heard they were going to make it anyway, I couldn't remember a cigar I had looked forward to more in recent memory.
The cigar presents very nicely. The wrapper is a muted brown affair that has some veining, but nothing of concern. It seems a little bit dry to me in texture, but upon inspection it seems supple and well applied. The band word is remarkable, quite the piece of art, it almost makes you feel better about the really high price tag...almost. The pre light aroma has some light brushes of spice, but is full of cedar notes. The pre light draw is smooth and fluid and shows some booming cedar notes and a touch of bitter grass.
The smoke opens with a profile that is decidedly cedary, it almost overwhelms the palate and hinges on being bitter. There are some light brushes of spice and tobacco here as well, but the cedar notes really carry the bag in the opening moments. Through the nose and on the back of the palate there are some notes of a lighter wood, but again cedar notes dominate the profile in unpleasant way. The draw is a little tight early, but I can feel it opening up as the cigar progresses. The burn is solid right from the get go there are no hints of any issues that might be forthcoming.
The first half of the cigar does progress some, though not for the better. The dominant cedar notes are still present, but they are muted by a sharp spice note that borders on being acidic. There are some hints here of cinnamon and some lighter wood notes, but they are too subtle to be anything more than a fleeting glimpse of what might be. The back of the palate holds some nice tobacco notes and the cedar is a more acceptable tone without the bitterness from earlier in the cigar, but it is not enough to salvage the cigar to this point and my disappointment is mounting. The draw is acceptable, though still a touch too tight for me. The burn is phenomenal and razor sharp.
The final half of the cigar completes the disappointing ride for me. The core profile never develops into anything profound, or even above average, at any point. The core continues to show cedar and spice notes that alternately bitter and acidic, a real letdown in my book. The back of the palate provides some rays of light, but they are fleeting as the wood and tobacco notes are not enough to hold it all together. The draw is a touch too tight throughout, while the burn performs to the highest standard all the way to the end.
The finish was heavy with cedar notes and slightly bitter, making for a short closing experience.
At a twenty plus dollar price tag I expect much more, hell at an eight dollar price tag I expect more. I only wonder what could have been with the tobacco that burned to the gods instead of the enthusiasts.
Appearance- 92 a wonderful looking smoke
Taste- 78 unfortunately it was just really poor
Construction- 87 draw was too tight for me, but the burn did well
Strength- 85 an uninspired medium
Overall- 84.5 below average and way too expensive
The cigar presents very nicely. The wrapper is a muted brown affair that has some veining, but nothing of concern. It seems a little bit dry to me in texture, but upon inspection it seems supple and well applied. The band word is remarkable, quite the piece of art, it almost makes you feel better about the really high price tag...almost. The pre light aroma has some light brushes of spice, but is full of cedar notes. The pre light draw is smooth and fluid and shows some booming cedar notes and a touch of bitter grass.
The smoke opens with a profile that is decidedly cedary, it almost overwhelms the palate and hinges on being bitter. There are some light brushes of spice and tobacco here as well, but the cedar notes really carry the bag in the opening moments. Through the nose and on the back of the palate there are some notes of a lighter wood, but again cedar notes dominate the profile in unpleasant way. The draw is a little tight early, but I can feel it opening up as the cigar progresses. The burn is solid right from the get go there are no hints of any issues that might be forthcoming.
The first half of the cigar does progress some, though not for the better. The dominant cedar notes are still present, but they are muted by a sharp spice note that borders on being acidic. There are some hints here of cinnamon and some lighter wood notes, but they are too subtle to be anything more than a fleeting glimpse of what might be. The back of the palate holds some nice tobacco notes and the cedar is a more acceptable tone without the bitterness from earlier in the cigar, but it is not enough to salvage the cigar to this point and my disappointment is mounting. The draw is acceptable, though still a touch too tight for me. The burn is phenomenal and razor sharp.
The final half of the cigar completes the disappointing ride for me. The core profile never develops into anything profound, or even above average, at any point. The core continues to show cedar and spice notes that alternately bitter and acidic, a real letdown in my book. The back of the palate provides some rays of light, but they are fleeting as the wood and tobacco notes are not enough to hold it all together. The draw is a touch too tight throughout, while the burn performs to the highest standard all the way to the end.
The finish was heavy with cedar notes and slightly bitter, making for a short closing experience.
At a twenty plus dollar price tag I expect much more, hell at an eight dollar price tag I expect more. I only wonder what could have been with the tobacco that burned to the gods instead of the enthusiasts.
Appearance- 92 a wonderful looking smoke
Taste- 78 unfortunately it was just really poor
Construction- 87 draw was too tight for me, but the burn did well
Strength- 85 an uninspired medium
Overall- 84.5 below average and way too expensive
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario 2007 (6.25x48)
Every once in awhile I stand in front of my humidor, much like a woman in front of a closet claiming nothing to wear, saying aloud that I have nothing to smoke. After some derisive snorts from the wife and the accompanying rolling of the eyes I usually decide that it might be time to plumb the depths of the the monster humidor and find out what is lurking in the dark corners. Recently I came across this artifact from cigar days long past. I am not even sure when I got it, or how long it was hiding waiting for it's name to be called, but there it was like the ever ready soldier waiting for it's call to glory.
To say that I was excited would be an understatement, how often do you get to smoke something like this? The only thing sapping my enthusiasm was the hefty price tag that was still on it, north of $25 bones. Cigars of this price often scare me because I so seldom smoke one that I think is worth the price. As I remove the fittingly yellowed cello I take in the smoke. It is breathtaking. This is the highest form of Fuente craftsmanship, beautiful wrapper, perfect bunch, perfect cap and elegant band work that implies this is really something special. The pre light aroma is full of luxurious cedar essence and has some wonderful spice notes as well. The pre light draw shows some wonderful spice notes, cinnamon mostly, and has a very nice cedar flavor as well.
The cigar opens with a profile that has depth and complexity running wild. The core profile shows wonderful cedar notes that have a sharpness to them that is incredible. Additionally, there is a crisp tobacco note here that is so clean and tasty that I can't recall ever having an experience like this before. Through the nose there is an excellent note of cinnamon that rounds out the front of the experience very nicely. At the back of the palate there are excellent tones of wood and spice that only add to the depth of the experience. The draw is dead solid perfect, if I could design my ideal draw this would be it. The burn is also stellar, nary an issue and razor sharp.
The first half of the cigar continues to please. The core profile morphs from a show of cedar to a more muted presentation of cinnamon and light wood, there is also a light creamy note in this portion of the cigar that adds some depth and nuance to the overall presentation. The back of the palate shows some nice spice and there is a light pepper note coming in here as well. The draw stays perfect to this point. The burn continues to be excellent as well.
The final half of the cigar is where the money is. The core profile takes on a more sweet flavor that has some floral essence, there is also a creamed coffee note here that adds to the overall experience nicely. The back of the palate delivers wonderful pepper notes that ratchet up the strength quotient a few notches, there are also some more fully developed wood notes here. The draw and burn are spot on right to the end.
The finish was an absolute dream, showing lingering notes of cedar, coffee and wood.
I do not hesitate to rank this in the top 25 cigars that I have ever smoked.
Appearance- 95 an absolute beauty
Taste- 93 excellent, not quite classic
Construction- 100 the finest example of cigar craftsmanship
Strength- 97 a wonderful array of mild, medium and late trending medium/full experiences
Overall- 96.25 and an instant classic in my world
To say that I was excited would be an understatement, how often do you get to smoke something like this? The only thing sapping my enthusiasm was the hefty price tag that was still on it, north of $25 bones. Cigars of this price often scare me because I so seldom smoke one that I think is worth the price. As I remove the fittingly yellowed cello I take in the smoke. It is breathtaking. This is the highest form of Fuente craftsmanship, beautiful wrapper, perfect bunch, perfect cap and elegant band work that implies this is really something special. The pre light aroma is full of luxurious cedar essence and has some wonderful spice notes as well. The pre light draw shows some wonderful spice notes, cinnamon mostly, and has a very nice cedar flavor as well.
The cigar opens with a profile that has depth and complexity running wild. The core profile shows wonderful cedar notes that have a sharpness to them that is incredible. Additionally, there is a crisp tobacco note here that is so clean and tasty that I can't recall ever having an experience like this before. Through the nose there is an excellent note of cinnamon that rounds out the front of the experience very nicely. At the back of the palate there are excellent tones of wood and spice that only add to the depth of the experience. The draw is dead solid perfect, if I could design my ideal draw this would be it. The burn is also stellar, nary an issue and razor sharp.
The first half of the cigar continues to please. The core profile morphs from a show of cedar to a more muted presentation of cinnamon and light wood, there is also a light creamy note in this portion of the cigar that adds some depth and nuance to the overall presentation. The back of the palate shows some nice spice and there is a light pepper note coming in here as well. The draw stays perfect to this point. The burn continues to be excellent as well.
The final half of the cigar is where the money is. The core profile takes on a more sweet flavor that has some floral essence, there is also a creamed coffee note here that adds to the overall experience nicely. The back of the palate delivers wonderful pepper notes that ratchet up the strength quotient a few notches, there are also some more fully developed wood notes here. The draw and burn are spot on right to the end.
The finish was an absolute dream, showing lingering notes of cedar, coffee and wood.
I do not hesitate to rank this in the top 25 cigars that I have ever smoked.
Appearance- 95 an absolute beauty
Taste- 93 excellent, not quite classic
Construction- 100 the finest example of cigar craftsmanship
Strength- 97 a wonderful array of mild, medium and late trending medium/full experiences
Overall- 96.25 and an instant classic in my world
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Arturo Fuente Unnamed Reserve (Sin Nombre) 2012 (5.75x48)
Some weeks ago some very good friends of mine suffered through something that I had to survive several years back, an event so life altering that no matter what age you are it shocks you breathless and leaves you in stunned reverie for several days. They lost their mother, much like I lost mine to cancer about five years ago. Granted the circumstances were different, their mother 92 years young and mine 54, but the sense of loss is the same no matter what age you and no matter what age she is. See, you only get one Mother, most of us probably take it for granted as the speed of life takes us in myriad directions. What you realize after she is gone is that in many ways no matter what direction I traveled my mother was my compass. Always listening, never judging. Providing advice, wanted or unwanted. Always proud, never ashamed, even when she had reason to be. There were days when I was not the greatest son, and I'm sure my friends would admit to the same, but there she was, like a shining lodestone in a deep dark place allowing me to find my way back. Even after they are gone that shine still guides us, I miss her dearly and I'm sure they miss theirs as well.
As I sat at the funeral service for their mother I realized something else. I never met their mother, but I felt like I knew all I needed to know about her because I know her sons. You see, sometimes lineage is just as important as anything else and my two friends are two of the greatest guys you could know. They are men's men. They are kind and caring. They are wise and funny. You can't help but speculate that they inherited a large measure of that from their mother and the upbringing that she provided. Knowing the two men is to know their mother and their very stout and resolute way of life speaks volumes about her. It is my pleasure to know them and call them friends.
What does this have to do with cigars? Probably everything if you really think about it from the standpoint of lineage, particularly when considering this cigar. The Fuente's have a proud tradition of cigar making that spans decades and their lineage is second to none. To know their cigars is to know them. Always consistent, pleasurable and understated. I have met many of the Fuente's and I can tell you they all fit this bill, there is no flamboyance, no putting on of airs, just a resolute and steadfast dedication to making great cigars.
This cigar presents very well in the traditional Fuente way, elegance and class without being flashy or in your face. The band work is standard Fuente fare and I have always loved this simple homage to their well made cigars. The wrapper is from their sungrown stock and it is nearly flawless and expertly applied. The construction seems to be excellent as I can't find any voids or tight spots in it at all. The pre light aroma is full of spice and tobacco notes. The pre light draw shows some light brushes of pepper and earth.
The cigar opens with profile that is slow developing, but flavorful. The core profile shows light pepper flavors and there are some very nice earth tones in the mix here as well. While not particularly full of depth or complexity it is still enjoyable in the early moments as it warms up the palate. Through the nose and at the back of the palate there are some warm notes of soft wood and some brushes of spice that I equate with anise. The draw is excellent here, just the right amount of resistance and the smoke that comes forth is satisfying and full with each draw. The burn is a touch wonky early, but as with most cigars of prime lineage, it evens out easily and neatly.
The first half of the cigar develops into a more complex array of flavors and I am excited about the developments here. The core profile still has some light pepper flavors, but there is a distinct hazelnut flavor that comes through with flying colors and becomes the star of the show. The back of the palate shows a more robust oaky flavor now and there are still some brushes of spice that are more like clove at this point. All in all this has developed into a wonderful flavor experience. The draw loosens a touch too much for me as the cigar burns, but it is still acceptable. The burn is very solid to this point.
The final half of the cigar actually slides back a bit. The core profile loses the hazelnut essence and picks up a more leathery tone that is ok, but not as nice as the hazelnut was. There are still some brushes of pepper here as well. The back of the palate continues to show some wood notes and there are some earthy tones coming in as well at this point. The spice remains but becomes slightly sour without the hazelnut to mingle with it. The draw continued to be too loose for me, but it did not cause any issues. The burn was excellent to the end.
The finish was long and smooth and showed leather and earth notes that lingered pleasantly.
Appearance- 91 always elegant and classic
Taste- 91 some points off for the back half of the smoke, but still very good
Construction- 90 some loss for draw deterioration, but still very nice
Strength- 97 a wonderful medium that complemented the profile wonderfully
Overall- 91.75 a very good smoke that deserves consideration from any smoker worth his/her salt
As I sat at the funeral service for their mother I realized something else. I never met their mother, but I felt like I knew all I needed to know about her because I know her sons. You see, sometimes lineage is just as important as anything else and my two friends are two of the greatest guys you could know. They are men's men. They are kind and caring. They are wise and funny. You can't help but speculate that they inherited a large measure of that from their mother and the upbringing that she provided. Knowing the two men is to know their mother and their very stout and resolute way of life speaks volumes about her. It is my pleasure to know them and call them friends.
What does this have to do with cigars? Probably everything if you really think about it from the standpoint of lineage, particularly when considering this cigar. The Fuente's have a proud tradition of cigar making that spans decades and their lineage is second to none. To know their cigars is to know them. Always consistent, pleasurable and understated. I have met many of the Fuente's and I can tell you they all fit this bill, there is no flamboyance, no putting on of airs, just a resolute and steadfast dedication to making great cigars.
This cigar presents very well in the traditional Fuente way, elegance and class without being flashy or in your face. The band work is standard Fuente fare and I have always loved this simple homage to their well made cigars. The wrapper is from their sungrown stock and it is nearly flawless and expertly applied. The construction seems to be excellent as I can't find any voids or tight spots in it at all. The pre light aroma is full of spice and tobacco notes. The pre light draw shows some light brushes of pepper and earth.
The cigar opens with profile that is slow developing, but flavorful. The core profile shows light pepper flavors and there are some very nice earth tones in the mix here as well. While not particularly full of depth or complexity it is still enjoyable in the early moments as it warms up the palate. Through the nose and at the back of the palate there are some warm notes of soft wood and some brushes of spice that I equate with anise. The draw is excellent here, just the right amount of resistance and the smoke that comes forth is satisfying and full with each draw. The burn is a touch wonky early, but as with most cigars of prime lineage, it evens out easily and neatly.
The first half of the cigar develops into a more complex array of flavors and I am excited about the developments here. The core profile still has some light pepper flavors, but there is a distinct hazelnut flavor that comes through with flying colors and becomes the star of the show. The back of the palate shows a more robust oaky flavor now and there are still some brushes of spice that are more like clove at this point. All in all this has developed into a wonderful flavor experience. The draw loosens a touch too much for me as the cigar burns, but it is still acceptable. The burn is very solid to this point.
The final half of the cigar actually slides back a bit. The core profile loses the hazelnut essence and picks up a more leathery tone that is ok, but not as nice as the hazelnut was. There are still some brushes of pepper here as well. The back of the palate continues to show some wood notes and there are some earthy tones coming in as well at this point. The spice remains but becomes slightly sour without the hazelnut to mingle with it. The draw continued to be too loose for me, but it did not cause any issues. The burn was excellent to the end.
The finish was long and smooth and showed leather and earth notes that lingered pleasantly.
Appearance- 91 always elegant and classic
Taste- 91 some points off for the back half of the smoke, but still very good
Construction- 90 some loss for draw deterioration, but still very nice
Strength- 97 a wonderful medium that complemented the profile wonderfully
Overall- 91.75 a very good smoke that deserves consideration from any smoker worth his/her salt
Monday, July 9, 2012
Arturo Fuente Anejo Reserva #48 (7x48)
The Anejo is a very limited and very special release that the Fuente's do about once a year, usually somewhere near the holidays. I typically grab several and let them sit in the humi for months, or even years, before I get around to smoking them. I have always enjoyed these rare treats, but in recent years I have not thought as highly of them as I have in the past. This particular smoke is from the 2011 batch and it is the first of the ones that I purchased that I am getting around to smoking.
This cigar always presents well. There is always a cedar sleeve around the dark and rich looking cigar, that gives it an external atmosphere that makes one feel like they are about to open a present. The cello even has gold embossed lettering that makes the smoke seem even more special, the Fuente's are the masters of understated opulence visually. The cigar itself is bold and rich looking. The wrapper is a deep and rich brown, like very freshly ground coffee, and it is applied expertly without errors or major veins that will detract from the experience visually. An examination of the smoke leads me to think it may be too tight, but I can't find any plugs or other areas of concern. The pre light aroma is full of spice and tobacco notes. The pre light draw is full of rich tobacco and earth flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is a little to thin for me, it shows some flavors of tobacco and earth but there really is no nuance or depth to the flavors at this point. My main complaint about recent vintages has been what I just noted, there is just no complexity or depth in the smoke making the experience thin. The back of the palate has some dark wood notes, but it really does not add much to the experience at this point. The draw is a little bit too tight early on, but I am not laboring unnecessarily. The burn is a touch off in the early moments, but I have no reason to believe that there will be a run or canoe at this point.
The first half of the cigar does show some improvement. The core profile shows tobacco and earth flavors, but there are also some nice notes of anise and raisin with a little bit of coffee as well. This combination of flavors leads to a more complex array, but the flavors are slightly muddled and lacking in transitional values. The back of the palate continues to show some nice dark wood flavors, but there is a mineral flavor coming in that takes away from the richness of the wood flavors. The draw continues to be a little tight, but I am still not giving undue effort to the experience. The burn is sharp and shows no signs of any issues.
The final half of the cigar continues to wallow in mediocrity. The core profile continues to show tobacco and earth flavors, but the complementary flavors have become wispy and shallow. There are still some raisin and coffee flavors, but there are no real developments into anything deep. The back of the palate continues to show dark wood flavors, but the mineral flavors have really come into play at this point and it threatens to derail the whole smoke. The draw is still too tight for me, but the burn is still very nice.
The finish is full of minerals that threaten to become metallic.
Appearance- 93 a very nice looking cigar
Taste- 84 I expected way more
Construction- 87 nice burn, but the draw was not as fluid as I like
Strength- 86 a very average medium
Overall- 86.75 slightly above average
This cigar always presents well. There is always a cedar sleeve around the dark and rich looking cigar, that gives it an external atmosphere that makes one feel like they are about to open a present. The cello even has gold embossed lettering that makes the smoke seem even more special, the Fuente's are the masters of understated opulence visually. The cigar itself is bold and rich looking. The wrapper is a deep and rich brown, like very freshly ground coffee, and it is applied expertly without errors or major veins that will detract from the experience visually. An examination of the smoke leads me to think it may be too tight, but I can't find any plugs or other areas of concern. The pre light aroma is full of spice and tobacco notes. The pre light draw is full of rich tobacco and earth flavors.
The cigar opens with a profile that is a little to thin for me, it shows some flavors of tobacco and earth but there really is no nuance or depth to the flavors at this point. My main complaint about recent vintages has been what I just noted, there is just no complexity or depth in the smoke making the experience thin. The back of the palate has some dark wood notes, but it really does not add much to the experience at this point. The draw is a little bit too tight early on, but I am not laboring unnecessarily. The burn is a touch off in the early moments, but I have no reason to believe that there will be a run or canoe at this point.
The first half of the cigar does show some improvement. The core profile shows tobacco and earth flavors, but there are also some nice notes of anise and raisin with a little bit of coffee as well. This combination of flavors leads to a more complex array, but the flavors are slightly muddled and lacking in transitional values. The back of the palate continues to show some nice dark wood flavors, but there is a mineral flavor coming in that takes away from the richness of the wood flavors. The draw continues to be a little tight, but I am still not giving undue effort to the experience. The burn is sharp and shows no signs of any issues.
The final half of the cigar continues to wallow in mediocrity. The core profile continues to show tobacco and earth flavors, but the complementary flavors have become wispy and shallow. There are still some raisin and coffee flavors, but there are no real developments into anything deep. The back of the palate continues to show dark wood flavors, but the mineral flavors have really come into play at this point and it threatens to derail the whole smoke. The draw is still too tight for me, but the burn is still very nice.
The finish is full of minerals that threaten to become metallic.
Appearance- 93 a very nice looking cigar
Taste- 84 I expected way more
Construction- 87 nice burn, but the draw was not as fluid as I like
Strength- 86 a very average medium
Overall- 86.75 slightly above average
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Masterpiece (9x52)
It is not everyday that I get to smoke a cigar that was as rare as this one. The cigar itself is not rare, in that, you can find these in pretty much any B&M that carries Fuente. What is rare is that this was from an original release box that was procured in 1991. This cigar is at least 20 years old, and from what I know about the Fuente's this may have had three years of age on it before it hit the box. A very close friend gave me this smoke as a gift and I had been trying to figure out when to smoke it. Da Bears/Packers game seemed like just the right time for this pursuit.
The cigar presents in an intimidating perfecto size that seems gigantic to me. The wrapper is showing some age, and feels a touch dry, but I am not anticipating any issues. The construction seems to be excellent as an inspection reveals nothing of note. The pre light aroma is light and floral. The pre light draw shows some slight tobacco essence, but not much else is there.
The cigar opens with a profile that is extremely mild. There are some flavors of cedar and tobacco here, but they are neither complex or particularly deep. At the back of the palate there are some dusty wood characteristics, but again the palate is left wanting for more in the experience. The burn is right on the money and that is a testament to expert construction, for a cigar of this shape and size to burn well is a marvel of cigar engineering. The draw is fluid and easy, imparting just the right amount of smoke with every draw.
The first third of the cigar shows little progression of any kind. The main body picks up some floral ideas, but continues to show steady presentations of cedar and tobacco. At the back of the palate there are still some dusty wood presentations, but a wheaty character has entered the picture here as well. The burn is still right on the money and the draw continues to be a dream.
The middle third of the cigar continues to be mired in mediocrity. The core profile takes on a more floral personality, but there really is nothing here that is leading to any complexity or depth. The back of the palate continues to be combination of wood and wheat. The burn and draw are continuing to be the stars of this particular show.
The final third of the cigar continues to be very blase. The core profile is floral, with some touches of tobacco and some fleeting cinnamon notes (that at one time would have been profound). At the back of the palate there are still just some wood and wheat notes that are nothing special. The burn and draw steal the show here, just magnificent through to the end.
The finish was short and wheaty. At least I can say that I am one of the few people that has smoked a 20 year old Fuente, but this definitely reaffirms that old adage....smoke if you got em...
Appearance- 88 a nice looking smoke, but it is showing it's age
Taste- 84 very mundane and lacking in complexity and depth
Construction- 96 for a cigar of this size to be this well constructed and stay that way for 20 years warrants this score
Strength- 85 a very non-descript mild
Overall- 88.75 based in large part on construction
The cigar presents in an intimidating perfecto size that seems gigantic to me. The wrapper is showing some age, and feels a touch dry, but I am not anticipating any issues. The construction seems to be excellent as an inspection reveals nothing of note. The pre light aroma is light and floral. The pre light draw shows some slight tobacco essence, but not much else is there.
The cigar opens with a profile that is extremely mild. There are some flavors of cedar and tobacco here, but they are neither complex or particularly deep. At the back of the palate there are some dusty wood characteristics, but again the palate is left wanting for more in the experience. The burn is right on the money and that is a testament to expert construction, for a cigar of this shape and size to burn well is a marvel of cigar engineering. The draw is fluid and easy, imparting just the right amount of smoke with every draw.
The first third of the cigar shows little progression of any kind. The main body picks up some floral ideas, but continues to show steady presentations of cedar and tobacco. At the back of the palate there are still some dusty wood presentations, but a wheaty character has entered the picture here as well. The burn is still right on the money and the draw continues to be a dream.
The middle third of the cigar continues to be mired in mediocrity. The core profile takes on a more floral personality, but there really is nothing here that is leading to any complexity or depth. The back of the palate continues to be combination of wood and wheat. The burn and draw are continuing to be the stars of this particular show.
The final third of the cigar continues to be very blase. The core profile is floral, with some touches of tobacco and some fleeting cinnamon notes (that at one time would have been profound). At the back of the palate there are still just some wood and wheat notes that are nothing special. The burn and draw steal the show here, just magnificent through to the end.
The finish was short and wheaty. At least I can say that I am one of the few people that has smoked a 20 year old Fuente, but this definitely reaffirms that old adage....smoke if you got em...
Appearance- 88 a nice looking smoke, but it is showing it's age
Taste- 84 very mundane and lacking in complexity and depth
Construction- 96 for a cigar of this size to be this well constructed and stay that way for 20 years warrants this score
Strength- 85 a very non-descript mild
Overall- 88.75 based in large part on construction
Friday, January 21, 2011
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story (4x48)
In looking through my archives I found that I had never reviewed this iconic cigar, and I have been smoking it for years and years. At one time, during the end of the boom period, this cigar could command $17.00. In recent years it is less than $6.00 and I have always thought that it was worth every penny, even when the premium was in place. My fear of reviewing these classic cigars of bygone smoking days is always the same, what if I now think the cigar stinks, I will not only have lost an old standby but I will have ruined some great cigar memories. So with wistful emotions I begin the journey of this review.
The cigar itself presents very well, I have always admired this shape, and I know what skill and craftsmanship is on display in this intricate vitola. The wrapper is the usual Hemingway medium brown and has that dusty texture that just seems right on these cigars. I always think of an old library somewhere, probably having to do with being named after the legendary author, and I think of dusty books with information yet to be discovered. This cigar always make me long for a smoking jacket, slippers, fireplace, armchair and scotch. This vivid imagery has always accompanied this smoke for me, no matter the venue in which I smoke it. The cigar is well made, but I anticipate the usual early burn problems that I always encounter with this vitola. The pre light aroma is light, but has some nice hints of roasted nuts. The pre light draw is almost floral, but shows some nutty presentations as well.
The cigar opens as I expect. The draw is tight, this is due to the nipple at the foot and the narrow burn passageway in the early moments, but I believe that it will open up as it usually does. The burn is wonky, but I also have always experienced this correcting itself relatively quickly. The profile is replete with roasted nut flavors, but they are not particularly complex or deep. At the back of the palate there are some nice light wood flavors with some cedar sweetness.
The main body of this small smoke is all that I remember it to be. There are some excellent notes of roasted nuts, spice and light wood throughout the smoke. There are some complexity and depth issues, but the straightforward presentation is refreshing here. At the back of the palate there are some dry areas, but overall there are some nice touches of wood and some floral essences here as well. The draw opens up nicely in the middle sections and the burn evens out making for an easy smoking experience.
The finish is somewhat middling, but has some nice wood and floral notes that linger.
Appearance- 94 always fun to look at
Taste- 88 a solid profile that could use more depth and complexity
Construction- 88 some early issues as usual, but they evened out
Strength- 91 a very nice mild/medium
Overall- 89.5 an excellent cigar that has stood the test of time
The cigar itself presents very well, I have always admired this shape, and I know what skill and craftsmanship is on display in this intricate vitola. The wrapper is the usual Hemingway medium brown and has that dusty texture that just seems right on these cigars. I always think of an old library somewhere, probably having to do with being named after the legendary author, and I think of dusty books with information yet to be discovered. This cigar always make me long for a smoking jacket, slippers, fireplace, armchair and scotch. This vivid imagery has always accompanied this smoke for me, no matter the venue in which I smoke it. The cigar is well made, but I anticipate the usual early burn problems that I always encounter with this vitola. The pre light aroma is light, but has some nice hints of roasted nuts. The pre light draw is almost floral, but shows some nutty presentations as well.
The cigar opens as I expect. The draw is tight, this is due to the nipple at the foot and the narrow burn passageway in the early moments, but I believe that it will open up as it usually does. The burn is wonky, but I also have always experienced this correcting itself relatively quickly. The profile is replete with roasted nut flavors, but they are not particularly complex or deep. At the back of the palate there are some nice light wood flavors with some cedar sweetness.
The main body of this small smoke is all that I remember it to be. There are some excellent notes of roasted nuts, spice and light wood throughout the smoke. There are some complexity and depth issues, but the straightforward presentation is refreshing here. At the back of the palate there are some dry areas, but overall there are some nice touches of wood and some floral essences here as well. The draw opens up nicely in the middle sections and the burn evens out making for an easy smoking experience.
The finish is somewhat middling, but has some nice wood and floral notes that linger.
Appearance- 94 always fun to look at
Taste- 88 a solid profile that could use more depth and complexity
Construction- 88 some early issues as usual, but they evened out
Strength- 91 a very nice mild/medium
Overall- 89.5 an excellent cigar that has stood the test of time
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Arturo Fuente 858 Sungrown (6x47)
First off I would like everyone to know just how rare the Sungrown version of this cigar is. Until I got my hands on this one I had not seen one in nearly a decade. I was like a giddy child in the toy store when a BOTL gave me this one. I wanted to save it for a special occasion, but said the hell with it. A special cigar makes any occasion special, so one night I busted it out and smoked it on my lanai with me, myself and I.
A little back story first. Every cigar smoker has an evolution of sorts during their smoking careers. I have been smoking for nearly twenty years now and I have had several. This sungrown blend from Arturo Fuente in all of its vitolas was one of my evolutions. It was about 12 years ago, in the horrid post boom period, when I decided I needed to step up the flavor and intensity of what I was smoking. Through the boom I was a Fuente and Padron loyalist, but when the boom ended and cigars became plentiful I really spread my wings. One of the areas that I took flight in was seeing what Fuente had to offer other than the standard boom available smokes. I found the Fuente Sungrown lines and a lifelong match was made. I have moved on to stronger blends, as anyone that reads my reviews knows, but I still come back to the Fuente Sungrowns every now and again for some whispers of nostalgia.
This rare cigar presents with the usual 858 ruddiness, these will never win a looks contests, but looks don't matter when you know what you are getting. There are some prominent veins and the wrapper has miles and miles of toothy texture. An inspection reveals one area that may have a void and I am nervous about it. The pre light aroma has the usual Sungrown earth and spice notes with maybe a bit of dark fruit. The pre light draw shows some leather and wood flavors that remind me of bygone days.
The cigar opens with the true Fuente Sungrown profile. Plenty of pepper and leather meet the palate right away, I savor every bit of this opening gambit and remember what it is to smoke these creations. At the back of the palate there are some beautiful notes of dark wood and rich tobacco that off set the front of the profile in a way that only Fuente can. The cigar is not particularly complex, nor the flavors particularly deep but it is exactly as I remember. The draw is a bit too loose for me, but Fuente are almost always too loose for me. The burn is right on the money and a nice white ash is forming.
The first half continues to walk me down memory lane and I wistfully remember a simpler cigar time when you could smoke just about anywhere you wanted to, I briefly lament the changes that political correctness run amok has wrought. The profile continues to show some pepper, but the more prominent flavors of leather and wood are showing through. At the back of the palate there continues to be a show of nice tobacco flavor. The draw and burn remain the same.
The final half of the cigar maintains the same hallmarks. Fuente cigars really are a model of consistency for me. I have always found that the profile changes are few and instead some thought and concentration has been put into making the cigar solid from start to finish without a lot of ballyhoo. The profile continues to show leather and wood notes with some brushes of pepper for good measure. The tobacco flavors at the back of the palate continue to show solidly. The burn and draw are also consistent throughout.
The finish is smooth and continues to tease the palate with wood and pepper flavors.
Appearance- 86 never a really good looking vitola
Taste- 90 a very solid performance
Construction- 90 again very solid, the draw was too loose for me though
Strength- 92 a very solid medium that complements the profile in an extraordinary way
Overall- 89.75 a very good experience
A little back story first. Every cigar smoker has an evolution of sorts during their smoking careers. I have been smoking for nearly twenty years now and I have had several. This sungrown blend from Arturo Fuente in all of its vitolas was one of my evolutions. It was about 12 years ago, in the horrid post boom period, when I decided I needed to step up the flavor and intensity of what I was smoking. Through the boom I was a Fuente and Padron loyalist, but when the boom ended and cigars became plentiful I really spread my wings. One of the areas that I took flight in was seeing what Fuente had to offer other than the standard boom available smokes. I found the Fuente Sungrown lines and a lifelong match was made. I have moved on to stronger blends, as anyone that reads my reviews knows, but I still come back to the Fuente Sungrowns every now and again for some whispers of nostalgia.
This rare cigar presents with the usual 858 ruddiness, these will never win a looks contests, but looks don't matter when you know what you are getting. There are some prominent veins and the wrapper has miles and miles of toothy texture. An inspection reveals one area that may have a void and I am nervous about it. The pre light aroma has the usual Sungrown earth and spice notes with maybe a bit of dark fruit. The pre light draw shows some leather and wood flavors that remind me of bygone days.
The cigar opens with the true Fuente Sungrown profile. Plenty of pepper and leather meet the palate right away, I savor every bit of this opening gambit and remember what it is to smoke these creations. At the back of the palate there are some beautiful notes of dark wood and rich tobacco that off set the front of the profile in a way that only Fuente can. The cigar is not particularly complex, nor the flavors particularly deep but it is exactly as I remember. The draw is a bit too loose for me, but Fuente are almost always too loose for me. The burn is right on the money and a nice white ash is forming.
The first half continues to walk me down memory lane and I wistfully remember a simpler cigar time when you could smoke just about anywhere you wanted to, I briefly lament the changes that political correctness run amok has wrought. The profile continues to show some pepper, but the more prominent flavors of leather and wood are showing through. At the back of the palate there continues to be a show of nice tobacco flavor. The draw and burn remain the same.
The final half of the cigar maintains the same hallmarks. Fuente cigars really are a model of consistency for me. I have always found that the profile changes are few and instead some thought and concentration has been put into making the cigar solid from start to finish without a lot of ballyhoo. The profile continues to show leather and wood notes with some brushes of pepper for good measure. The tobacco flavors at the back of the palate continue to show solidly. The burn and draw are also consistent throughout.
The finish is smooth and continues to tease the palate with wood and pepper flavors.
Appearance- 86 never a really good looking vitola
Taste- 90 a very solid performance
Construction- 90 again very solid, the draw was too loose for me though
Strength- 92 a very solid medium that complements the profile in an extraordinary way
Overall- 89.75 a very good experience
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Arturo Fuente Rosado Gran Reserva R52 (5x52)
This is a newer release from the Arturo Fuente cigar enterprise. I am thinking they are pretty rare because I conducted a five month search of Tampa and Sarasota B&M's before finding some. The cigar has all the hallmarks of Fuente quality. Nice band, beautifully appointed wrapper, nice solid construction, and very few areas of concern. The cigar presents with a nice reddish hued wrapper that has some prominent veining. The pre light aroma is floral and shows some mulled notes of spice. The pre light draw shows some sweet bread and light floral presentations.
The cigar opens with a profile that is a bit flat. There are some thin notes of spice and some light bready notes, but there is little complexity or depth early in the presentation. At the back of the palate there are some fleeting floral notes, but overall the presentation is papery. Early disappointment aside, the cigar performs very well. The draw is perfect and the burn is sharp and produces a thick white ash that holds for two inches before I drop it off.
The first half of the cigar shows some nice development and I am starting to feel better about the experience. The core profile has moved into a presentation of floral sweetness coupled with some excellent notes of clean tobacco. The flavors have appropriate depth, but the complexity is still lacking. At the back of the palate there are some erratic notes of roasted nuts and light earth, but they never settle into a straight presentation. The draw is still impressive and the burn maintains it's Fuente consistency.
The final half of the cigar settles into all the things that Fuente is known for. The core profile continues to tobacco and floral notes, but there is the development of some light spice and nutty flavors that add to the mix. Complexity is still an issue, but the depth of the flavor is nice. At the back of the palate there are some nice hints of light earth and some wheaty notes that are unique. The draw and burn are excellent right to the end.
The finish is a touch short, but shows some floral sweetness and clean tobacco flavors that sharpen.
Appearance- 91 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 88 a nice profile that would be benefited with some complexity
Construction- 97 an excellent, near perfect smoking experience
Strength- 87 a very unremarkable medium, but very serviceable
Overall- 91.25 a very nice smoke
The cigar opens with a profile that is a bit flat. There are some thin notes of spice and some light bready notes, but there is little complexity or depth early in the presentation. At the back of the palate there are some fleeting floral notes, but overall the presentation is papery. Early disappointment aside, the cigar performs very well. The draw is perfect and the burn is sharp and produces a thick white ash that holds for two inches before I drop it off.
The first half of the cigar shows some nice development and I am starting to feel better about the experience. The core profile has moved into a presentation of floral sweetness coupled with some excellent notes of clean tobacco. The flavors have appropriate depth, but the complexity is still lacking. At the back of the palate there are some erratic notes of roasted nuts and light earth, but they never settle into a straight presentation. The draw is still impressive and the burn maintains it's Fuente consistency.
The final half of the cigar settles into all the things that Fuente is known for. The core profile continues to tobacco and floral notes, but there is the development of some light spice and nutty flavors that add to the mix. Complexity is still an issue, but the depth of the flavor is nice. At the back of the palate there are some nice hints of light earth and some wheaty notes that are unique. The draw and burn are excellent right to the end.
The finish is a touch short, but shows some floral sweetness and clean tobacco flavors that sharpen.
Appearance- 91 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 88 a nice profile that would be benefited with some complexity
Construction- 97 an excellent, near perfect smoking experience
Strength- 87 a very unremarkable medium, but very serviceable
Overall- 91.25 a very nice smoke
Friday, April 16, 2010
Arturo Fuente Opus X Reserva D'Chateau
This was another gift from the finest Brother of the Leaf I know. I know him and his collection and I have no hesitation believing that this cigar has eight plus years of age. It is a beautiful cigar with a leathery looking wrapper that has ample oils and very few veins. The overall presentation of this cigar is one of the best you could ever hope to see, a cedar wrap, a stunning band and a fine looking cigar all add up to high expectations based on the visual presentations. An inspection shows not a single issue and I am getting excited about smoking an Opus with this kind of age. The pre light aroma is of leather, cedar and spice. The pre light draw shows leather and sharp spicy undertones that fire up the palate.
The cigar opens with a stunning profile that has notes of leather, very refined tobacco, cedar and spice. At the back of the palate there are some notes of orange peel and wood that add to the complexity of the smoke. The depth is incredible, and I can already tell that this is one of the finest Opus examples that I have ever smoked. The draw is slightly tight, but I am not having any issue other than it is not as loose as I usually prefer. The burn is sharp and produces a nice medium gray ash.
The first third of the cigar settles into a nice profile that shows complexity and depth that can only be a product of extensive aging. The core is full of leather and spice, with touches of crisp tobacco and sweet cedar notes. At the back of the palate there continues to be an essence of orange peel and nice solid woody flavors that mingle well for added complexity. The draw is opening up and I am impressed with the performance of this smoke. The burn is still sharp and the ash holds for two inches before I plop it into the tray.
The middle third of the cigar starts to show some profile shifts. The core shows leather flavors, but peppery notes start to come through. There are still some inferences of cedar and spice, but pepper is attacking the palate. At the back of the palate there are still notes of wood, but some tobacco flavors are now also showing through. The complexity continues to be impressive, but the depth is not what it was in the front of the smoke. The draw is more what I prefer at this point and the burn continues in fine fashion.
The final third of the cigar shows all of the traditional hallmarks of an Opus X. The profile becomes a powerhouse, showing a core profile of deep wood, leather and rich spicy flavors. At the back of the palate there is a satiny finish to the smoke as nicotine kicks the palate in the face, there are also some hints of wood noted here as well. The draw and burn stay relatively consistent to the end.
The finish is strong and long, there are flavors of pepper, wood and tobacco that show through.
Appearance- 98 a fine looking smoke
Taste- 97 a phenomenal profile that showed multiple shifts and complexity and depth abound
Construction- 93 some tightness in the draw early hurt the score
Strength- 94 a very full smoke that could use more power up front
Overall- 95.25 a classic smoke and a fine example of what aging can do for a cigar
The cigar opens with a stunning profile that has notes of leather, very refined tobacco, cedar and spice. At the back of the palate there are some notes of orange peel and wood that add to the complexity of the smoke. The depth is incredible, and I can already tell that this is one of the finest Opus examples that I have ever smoked. The draw is slightly tight, but I am not having any issue other than it is not as loose as I usually prefer. The burn is sharp and produces a nice medium gray ash.
The first third of the cigar settles into a nice profile that shows complexity and depth that can only be a product of extensive aging. The core is full of leather and spice, with touches of crisp tobacco and sweet cedar notes. At the back of the palate there continues to be an essence of orange peel and nice solid woody flavors that mingle well for added complexity. The draw is opening up and I am impressed with the performance of this smoke. The burn is still sharp and the ash holds for two inches before I plop it into the tray.
The middle third of the cigar starts to show some profile shifts. The core shows leather flavors, but peppery notes start to come through. There are still some inferences of cedar and spice, but pepper is attacking the palate. At the back of the palate there are still notes of wood, but some tobacco flavors are now also showing through. The complexity continues to be impressive, but the depth is not what it was in the front of the smoke. The draw is more what I prefer at this point and the burn continues in fine fashion.
The final third of the cigar shows all of the traditional hallmarks of an Opus X. The profile becomes a powerhouse, showing a core profile of deep wood, leather and rich spicy flavors. At the back of the palate there is a satiny finish to the smoke as nicotine kicks the palate in the face, there are also some hints of wood noted here as well. The draw and burn stay relatively consistent to the end.
The finish is strong and long, there are flavors of pepper, wood and tobacco that show through.
Appearance- 98 a fine looking smoke
Taste- 97 a phenomenal profile that showed multiple shifts and complexity and depth abound
Construction- 93 some tightness in the draw early hurt the score
Strength- 94 a very full smoke that could use more power up front
Overall- 95.25 a classic smoke and a fine example of what aging can do for a cigar
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Robusto
This is an iconic cigar in the industry, a long time favorite of many and a cigar I have smoked over the years many times. It presents well with a rich brown wrapper that has little veining and appears to be expertly applied. An inspection of the construction reveals nary an issue and I believe that the cigar will perform well. The pre light aroma has notes of earth and tobacco. The pre light draw shows notes of tobacco and a light essence of nuts.
The cigar opens with a profile of tobacco and light pepper notes. At the back of the palate there are some notes of wood and roasted nuts. The draw is nearly flawless, performing easily and producing ample amounts of flavorful smoke. The burn is even and produces a solid gray ash that holds on several inches into the smoke.
The first half of the cigar continues to show a core profile of tobacco, but there are some nice notes of wood and roasted nuts coming through as well. At the back of the palate there are notes of earth accompanied by notes of pepper. The draw continues to perform well and the burn is still strong.
The second half of the cigar continues to show a core profile of tobacco and wood, the nutty sweetness is still showing through. At the back of the palate notes of earth and light pepper continue to progress. The smoke could use more depth and complexity, but the simplicity of what is present is compelling. The draw and burn stay consistent throughout.
The finish is long and smooth showing notes of roasted nuts and rich tobacco flavors.
Appearance- 91 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 87 lacking in depth and complexity, but still above average
Construction- 93 very impressive performance
Strength- 88 a very nice medium
Overall- 89.75 an above average experience
The cigar opens with a profile of tobacco and light pepper notes. At the back of the palate there are some notes of wood and roasted nuts. The draw is nearly flawless, performing easily and producing ample amounts of flavorful smoke. The burn is even and produces a solid gray ash that holds on several inches into the smoke.
The first half of the cigar continues to show a core profile of tobacco, but there are some nice notes of wood and roasted nuts coming through as well. At the back of the palate there are notes of earth accompanied by notes of pepper. The draw continues to perform well and the burn is still strong.
The second half of the cigar continues to show a core profile of tobacco and wood, the nutty sweetness is still showing through. At the back of the palate notes of earth and light pepper continue to progress. The smoke could use more depth and complexity, but the simplicity of what is present is compelling. The draw and burn stay consistent throughout.
The finish is long and smooth showing notes of roasted nuts and rich tobacco flavors.
Appearance- 91 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 87 lacking in depth and complexity, but still above average
Construction- 93 very impressive performance
Strength- 88 a very nice medium
Overall- 89.75 an above average experience
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Arturo Fuente Chateau Sungrown
This is another old standby, and was a standard cigar in my lineup for years. The cigar presents in a cedar sleeve with the famous black satin band at the foot. The cigar itself has some prominent veins and the construction feels a bit firm. The pre light aroma is of earth and spice. The pre light draw shows notes of spice, earth and some grass.
The cigar begins with a spicy profile that shows notes of pepper and earth. There is a clean tobacco flavor that I have always noticed in this cigar, and this one is no exception. The draw is a bit tight, making the smoke thin. The burn is somewhat lopsided, but a crisp white ash is forming. There are some grassy flavors at the back of the palate and through the nose, which is disturbing.
The first half of the cigar shows plenty of spice and pepper, but the continuation of grassy flavors detracts from the smoke. The draw opens slightly and the production of smoke is satisfactory. The burn is still slightly akimbo, but the white ash is firm.
The last half of the cigar continues with a profile of spice and pepper, but the grassy notes persist and detract from the experience. The draw and burn have both improved and show no defects. There is some sweet earthiness at the back of the palate that helps offset some of the grassy effects.
The finish is troubling and shows a melange of spice, earth, pepper and grassy notes.
Appearance- 87 some veining hurts the score
Taste- 84 grassy flavors throughout detract from the score
Construction- 86 early draw issues limit the possibilities here
Strength- 87 a nice medium/smoke
Overall- 86 a slightly above average smoke
The cigar begins with a spicy profile that shows notes of pepper and earth. There is a clean tobacco flavor that I have always noticed in this cigar, and this one is no exception. The draw is a bit tight, making the smoke thin. The burn is somewhat lopsided, but a crisp white ash is forming. There are some grassy flavors at the back of the palate and through the nose, which is disturbing.
The first half of the cigar shows plenty of spice and pepper, but the continuation of grassy flavors detracts from the smoke. The draw opens slightly and the production of smoke is satisfactory. The burn is still slightly akimbo, but the white ash is firm.
The last half of the cigar continues with a profile of spice and pepper, but the grassy notes persist and detract from the experience. The draw and burn have both improved and show no defects. There is some sweet earthiness at the back of the palate that helps offset some of the grassy effects.
The finish is troubling and shows a melange of spice, earth, pepper and grassy notes.
Appearance- 87 some veining hurts the score
Taste- 84 grassy flavors throughout detract from the score
Construction- 86 early draw issues limit the possibilities here
Strength- 87 a nice medium/smoke
Overall- 86 a slightly above average smoke
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Arturo Fuente Petit Corona Natural
This is an old standby in my cigar rotation, but one that I have not smoked in over a year. The cigar presents with a tawny wrapper that is showing some tooth. The construction appears to be excellent as the cigar is well packed, but alluringly supple. The cap is a bit awkward and the foot is slightly squared giving this cigar a look that is rustic in it's simplicity. The pre light aroma is a bit sour, but has toasty notes. The pre light draw shows notes of light wood.
The cigar begins with some bitterness in a core of woody, toasty notes. There is a creamy undertone that could be more nuanced without the bitter overtones. The draw is excellent, which is rare in cigars of this size. The burn is solid, if a bit lopsided, and produces a nice firm, gray ash.
At the halfway point the cigar has progressed nicely showing notes of light wood, nutmeg, light spice and some pepper. The complexity is surprising, but the depth of the flavors is disappointing. I like to have deep rich flavors to consider, this cigar has many flavors but they are often too fleeting to be properly evaluated. The draw is still excellent, and the burn is very solid, holding an ash to almost the halfway point.
The final half of the cigar continues to show complex notes of flavor. There are notes of nutmeg, spice, light wood and bread. The draw has continued to perform well and the burn has remained solid.
The finish is long and has pleasing bready and toasty qualities. This cigar has proven why old standbys have their place in every aficionado's humidor.
Appearance- 85 not the most attractive of smokes
Taste- 91 an excellent profile that loses points for early bitterness and lack of depth throughout
Construction- 95 an extremely well made cigar that performed flawlessly
Strength- 88 an excellent mild/medium offering that could use more oomph
Overall- 89.75 an exceptional small smoke that is approaching magnificence
The cigar begins with some bitterness in a core of woody, toasty notes. There is a creamy undertone that could be more nuanced without the bitter overtones. The draw is excellent, which is rare in cigars of this size. The burn is solid, if a bit lopsided, and produces a nice firm, gray ash.
At the halfway point the cigar has progressed nicely showing notes of light wood, nutmeg, light spice and some pepper. The complexity is surprising, but the depth of the flavors is disappointing. I like to have deep rich flavors to consider, this cigar has many flavors but they are often too fleeting to be properly evaluated. The draw is still excellent, and the burn is very solid, holding an ash to almost the halfway point.
The final half of the cigar continues to show complex notes of flavor. There are notes of nutmeg, spice, light wood and bread. The draw has continued to perform well and the burn has remained solid.
The finish is long and has pleasing bready and toasty qualities. This cigar has proven why old standbys have their place in every aficionado's humidor.
Appearance- 85 not the most attractive of smokes
Taste- 91 an excellent profile that loses points for early bitterness and lack of depth throughout
Construction- 95 an extremely well made cigar that performed flawlessly
Strength- 88 an excellent mild/medium offering that could use more oomph
Overall- 89.75 an exceptional small smoke that is approaching magnificence
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente "Queen B"
This cigar presents wrapped in Spanish Cedar, in a sharp torpedo vitola. The wrapper is a dark sungrown vintage and is lightly veined and applied beautifully. The pre light aroma, as expected, smacks of cedar. The pre light draw shows notes of earth and tobacco. An inspection of the cigar leads me to believe that it is well constructed.
The cigar begins with notes of earth and tobacco, there is a light dusting of pepper at the back of the palate. The draw is tight, but produces enough smoke. The burn begins well, but is bit lopsided after about a half inch. The first two inches proceed in this fashion.
At just past the one third point, I encounter a runner in the burn, but I am able to smoke through it without touching it up. The profile has maintained a tobacco character with undertones of earth. The draw is still tight, but producing a nice amount of smoke.
At the midway point there is still no change in the profile and the notes of tobacco and earth dominate the core of the smoke, there is a light cedary sweetness through the nose. The burn is still off, but I am not encountering any reason to touch up. The ash has become flaky and is shedding onto my shirt. The draw opens up a bit and I am able to savor more smoke, however the profile stays the same.
The final half of the cigar shows no added depth or complexity, and notes of tobacco and earth are still prominent. There is another minor run in the burn, but it does not cause any distress. The draw has remained open and smoke is booming out of the cigar.
The finish is a bit short with some bitterness, but there is a lingering earthy note that is bordering on being muddy.
Appearance- 91 a beautifully presented cigar
Taste- 82 the cigar lacks depth and complexity
Construction- 83 the draw and burn issues hurt the score
Strength- 85 a nice Fuente medium as expected
Overall- 85.25 a nice solid smoke
The cigar begins with notes of earth and tobacco, there is a light dusting of pepper at the back of the palate. The draw is tight, but produces enough smoke. The burn begins well, but is bit lopsided after about a half inch. The first two inches proceed in this fashion.
At just past the one third point, I encounter a runner in the burn, but I am able to smoke through it without touching it up. The profile has maintained a tobacco character with undertones of earth. The draw is still tight, but producing a nice amount of smoke.
At the midway point there is still no change in the profile and the notes of tobacco and earth dominate the core of the smoke, there is a light cedary sweetness through the nose. The burn is still off, but I am not encountering any reason to touch up. The ash has become flaky and is shedding onto my shirt. The draw opens up a bit and I am able to savor more smoke, however the profile stays the same.
The final half of the cigar shows no added depth or complexity, and notes of tobacco and earth are still prominent. There is another minor run in the burn, but it does not cause any distress. The draw has remained open and smoke is booming out of the cigar.
The finish is a bit short with some bitterness, but there is a lingering earthy note that is bordering on being muddy.
Appearance- 91 a beautifully presented cigar
Taste- 82 the cigar lacks depth and complexity
Construction- 83 the draw and burn issues hurt the score
Strength- 85 a nice Fuente medium as expected
Overall- 85.25 a nice solid smoke
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