Courtesy of the folks at Cigars Direct, I got to sample another vitola from the "standard" Arturo Fuente line, or as I've come to know them, the "Plain Ol' Fuentes" because of their lack of distinguishing characteristics.
This time I smoked the 7.25 x 48 Arturo Fuente Churchill natural, A nicely constructed, fine looking, good burning stick that starts out exceedingly mellow, builds up to about medium strength, tastes like slightly honeyed cardboard for the first few inches, and finally gets pleasantly rowdy at the end.
Inches 5 and 6 of this cigar are excellent. If you can hire a stand-in to smoke the first 4 inches while you're puffing away on something else, then put yourself back in to close the game on the Fuente, that would be ideal.
But in the real world you're stuck with another less-than-spectacular Churchill for the duration. I don't know how the Fuentes can manage to utilize a Cameroon wrapper to such muted effect. I can see how some people would like this, just not me.
Showing posts with label Arturo Fuente. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arturo Fuente. Show all posts
Friday, September 10, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Passable Fuente Corona Imperial Natural
I've been rather hard on the Fuente brand when it comes to the Hemingway series, which I find overrated and lacking in flavor. But what about the "everyday" Fuente cameroons? Once again, the folks at Cigars Direct have given me a chance to sample another specimen from this well known and feted brand.
In particular, the Arturo Fuente Corona Imperial natural, a cameroon-wrapped, extra-long lonsdale (46 x 6.5) that looks exactly like a Hemingway minus the tapered ends. Even though this is supposedly the "workingman's" Fuente, the price is not exactly rock bottom - about $100 for a box of 25. Nevertheless it is a bargain compared to the Hemingways, which get bid up beyond comprehension at sites like cigarbid.
The Fuente Corona Imperial Natural looks just as good as a Hemingway and is constructed equally as well. It lights easily and burns perfectly, no touch-up required. And the flavor? Well, that's my sticking point, because I find the flavor nearly identical to the Hemingway cameroons, that is, not particularly splendiferous. At best, it's Hemingway watered down with a little cardboard. Better than your average Connecticut shade cigar, but that isn't saying much. Medium strength (not mild, as some of the websites would indicate) and a "general cigar" flavor of cedar and straightforward tobacco. Once in a while you'll get a doughy sensation of lushness and exuberance - but not often.
I expect more strength and development from a cameroon. Technically, this cigar performs well from beginning to end. If you like the this kind of flavor, you will want to buy this cigar over and over again. I find it rather plain, so in the words of Lyle Lovett: Once is Enough. Thank you Cigars Direct for the opportunity to try.
In particular, the Arturo Fuente Corona Imperial natural, a cameroon-wrapped, extra-long lonsdale (46 x 6.5) that looks exactly like a Hemingway minus the tapered ends. Even though this is supposedly the "workingman's" Fuente, the price is not exactly rock bottom - about $100 for a box of 25. Nevertheless it is a bargain compared to the Hemingways, which get bid up beyond comprehension at sites like cigarbid.
The Fuente Corona Imperial Natural looks just as good as a Hemingway and is constructed equally as well. It lights easily and burns perfectly, no touch-up required. And the flavor? Well, that's my sticking point, because I find the flavor nearly identical to the Hemingway cameroons, that is, not particularly splendiferous. At best, it's Hemingway watered down with a little cardboard. Better than your average Connecticut shade cigar, but that isn't saying much. Medium strength (not mild, as some of the websites would indicate) and a "general cigar" flavor of cedar and straightforward tobacco. Once in a while you'll get a doughy sensation of lushness and exuberance - but not often.
I expect more strength and development from a cameroon. Technically, this cigar performs well from beginning to end. If you like the this kind of flavor, you will want to buy this cigar over and over again. I find it rather plain, so in the words of Lyle Lovett: Once is Enough. Thank you Cigars Direct for the opportunity to try.
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