This weekend, moments before The Cigar Authority podcast went on air, we received word that an icon in the industry, Carlos Fuente Sr. had passed away. We were sitting around waiting for the show to go live when Eric Newman of JC Newman received the call.
Carlos Fuente Sr. had been battling stomach cancer before succumbing to the illness at 11:15pm on Friday night. The show took a somber note as Eric Newman shared some stories about a true legend.
Today to honor Carlos Fuente Sr., we take a look at Don Carlos, a cigar blended to his personal taste.
Cigar Review: Don Carlos
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Size: 5.75″
Ring: 52
Size: Double Robusto
Cutter: Jaws Cutter
Lighter: Vertigo Slider
The Look: Packaged in felt lined wooden boxes, Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Cigars are a mainstay in any brick & mortar humidor. In today’s cigar industry not many work with Cameroon due to the cost and at times the rugged look of the tobaccos. However of all the companies that still work with Cameroon wrapper no one does it better then the Fuente family. In the hand the cigar has some soft spots and the foot looks loosely packed but the cigar feels heavy in the hand.
The Notes: The cold draw of the Don Carlos offers up a subtle citrus note with earth and cedar while the aroma has a subtle sweetness to it with more cedar notes. Once the cigar is lit there are notes of cedar and earth with a subtle sweetness from the Cameroon wrapper. The retrohale of the cigar serves up some nuttiness that lingers on the aroma and finish.
As the cigar moves into the second half, the sweetness of the Cameroon wrapper begins to shine. The sweetness is offset by some bitter coffee notes, earth and cedar. On the retrohale the cigar offers some nuttiness that lingers on the finish with a hint of vanilla.
The Burn: The Don Carlos spends a year aging before it is released and this is evident on the razor thin combustion line that is burns nearly perfect. The draw of the cigar was a little loose for my liking, but the cigar burned slow and remain lit from first light to last puff. The light color ash was smooth and held on for nearly half the cigar.
The Finish: Today will be a rare day we don’t rate a cigar with a number. Quite simply the blend is priceless as it is an ongoing memorial to the late great Carlos Fuente Sr. Often we talk about cigars and the memories attached to them. With the Don Carlos, his memory will live on forever.
Price: $10.49 / $229.99
Don Carlos
Don Carlos Foot
Don Carlos Burn
