Arturo Fuente Añejo "50" review
youngryan216
Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 868
Recently, I smoked what I consider to be one of the best cigars I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. I figured I would review it and hopefully others will have a similarly excellent experience. It is a stick that needs no introduction: the Arturo Fuente Añejo. Nicknamed by some BOTL’s as “Opus X maduro”, this cigar is made with the same filler and binder as the original Fuente Opus X Dominican puro.
Without going into the complete backstory of the Añejo, it is a well-known tale in the cigar community. When a great fire destroyed a large portion of the Fuente’s tobacco (namely the leaf used for the wrapper of the Opus X), the family decided to create the cigar with a different wrapper. Thus, the Añejo was born.
And what an incredible leaf the Fuente’s chose! The Añejo is cloaked in a beautiful, dark-chocolate colored Connecticut Broadleaf -- extensively aged for 5 years in cognac barrels.
At first, the aging process sounds like the typical fanfare that companies like to flaunt. I thought it was simply a marketing gimmick, however after smoking, I feel this process adds a dimension and complexity to this blend that is not found elsewhere.
Appearance
The stick I blazed was the “50”. This 5.1” x 50 size is your typical robusto, albeit slightly skinnier feeling than a normal 50 ring gauge cigar.
The wrapper is flawless with a slightly oily appearance and a nearly seamless body, free from water spots or veins. The cigar is heavy, well-packed and makes a loud thud when I sit it on the table – I’m starting to get excited about this one already.
When I slide off the cello I am greeted by a burst of fresh cedar from the Spanish cedar sleeve secured by a red ribbon at the foot. After removing the sleeve I dive in for the cut and pre-light draw. The cold taste is amazing: tobacco, hot chocolate and raisins – Now I’m really excited to fire this thing up.
Smoking Characteristics
The burn was even and needed no correction throughout the smoke. This smoke easily produced 2 inch, white chunks before ashing. The draw was a little snug, but loosened after the first inch into a fairly easy pull.
While I only got about an hour out of this smoke, it is entirely possible to take this one 90+ minutes. I say that because of how spot-on the construction is. The burn rate is very slow because of the dense pack. At rest, the Añejo billows smoke like a chimney. When smoking, the volume of smoke is thick, chewy, and very impressive. Below, you can see the signature Fuente glue spots on the wrapper.
Flavor
Initially, I was shocked that this cigar was not stronger. That being said, I feel the strength is absolutely perfect at a robust medium as I do not like overly peppery blends or ligero bombs.
After toasting the foot, I am drooling for this smoke and I finally take my first puff. Right away there are full, deep flavors that are complex and dark swirling over my palate. When the smoke cools down from the initial light, I take another puff and retrohale. Instantly I am blessed with flavors of rich milk chocolate with a sweet spice that is more cinnamon than pepper in strength.
After a few more puffs the spice picks up slightly and a black pepper note comes and goes over a sweet, oily, chocolatey base taste. This cigar leaves a very unique “tingly” sensation on the tongue that is more reminiscent of strong bourbon than of any spice.
The real star of the show is the cigar’s finish. Distinctly Fuente, the long and complex finish seems to go on forever. Initially producing very sweet chocolate, coffee, and aged tobacco notes, the finish morphs into a cedar crispness and nuttiness all of which compliment the distinct sweetness that persists throughout.
Overall Impression
One thing to note about this cigar is how AMAZING it smells secondhand. After walking into the garage an hour or so after smoking, the aromatic bliss of this stick lingered in the air like a manly febreeze. My wife, who is a non-smoker, even commented on how good the smoke coming off it smelled.
I usually try to compare the smoke to similar ones I’ve enjoyed in my reviews, however, this was a very unique smoke. My best comparison is to call it the love child of an Undercrown and a Fuente 8-5-8. However, I feel this is still not incredibly accurate as this cigar has so much more to offer.
Bottom line: if you like maduros, get one of these ASAP. This is simply one of those cigars you MUST try at least once even if you are a casual cigar smoker. It’s in my top 2 for sure, and I am looking forward to trying some different vitolas. Long ashes brothers!
-Ryan
Without going into the complete backstory of the Añejo, it is a well-known tale in the cigar community. When a great fire destroyed a large portion of the Fuente’s tobacco (namely the leaf used for the wrapper of the Opus X), the family decided to create the cigar with a different wrapper. Thus, the Añejo was born.
And what an incredible leaf the Fuente’s chose! The Añejo is cloaked in a beautiful, dark-chocolate colored Connecticut Broadleaf -- extensively aged for 5 years in cognac barrels.
At first, the aging process sounds like the typical fanfare that companies like to flaunt. I thought it was simply a marketing gimmick, however after smoking, I feel this process adds a dimension and complexity to this blend that is not found elsewhere.
Appearance
The stick I blazed was the “50”. This 5.1” x 50 size is your typical robusto, albeit slightly skinnier feeling than a normal 50 ring gauge cigar.
The wrapper is flawless with a slightly oily appearance and a nearly seamless body, free from water spots or veins. The cigar is heavy, well-packed and makes a loud thud when I sit it on the table – I’m starting to get excited about this one already.
When I slide off the cello I am greeted by a burst of fresh cedar from the Spanish cedar sleeve secured by a red ribbon at the foot. After removing the sleeve I dive in for the cut and pre-light draw. The cold taste is amazing: tobacco, hot chocolate and raisins – Now I’m really excited to fire this thing up.
Smoking Characteristics
The burn was even and needed no correction throughout the smoke. This smoke easily produced 2 inch, white chunks before ashing. The draw was a little snug, but loosened after the first inch into a fairly easy pull.
While I only got about an hour out of this smoke, it is entirely possible to take this one 90+ minutes. I say that because of how spot-on the construction is. The burn rate is very slow because of the dense pack. At rest, the Añejo billows smoke like a chimney. When smoking, the volume of smoke is thick, chewy, and very impressive. Below, you can see the signature Fuente glue spots on the wrapper.
Flavor
Initially, I was shocked that this cigar was not stronger. That being said, I feel the strength is absolutely perfect at a robust medium as I do not like overly peppery blends or ligero bombs.
After toasting the foot, I am drooling for this smoke and I finally take my first puff. Right away there are full, deep flavors that are complex and dark swirling over my palate. When the smoke cools down from the initial light, I take another puff and retrohale. Instantly I am blessed with flavors of rich milk chocolate with a sweet spice that is more cinnamon than pepper in strength.
After a few more puffs the spice picks up slightly and a black pepper note comes and goes over a sweet, oily, chocolatey base taste. This cigar leaves a very unique “tingly” sensation on the tongue that is more reminiscent of strong bourbon than of any spice.
The real star of the show is the cigar’s finish. Distinctly Fuente, the long and complex finish seems to go on forever. Initially producing very sweet chocolate, coffee, and aged tobacco notes, the finish morphs into a cedar crispness and nuttiness all of which compliment the distinct sweetness that persists throughout.
Overall Impression
One thing to note about this cigar is how AMAZING it smells secondhand. After walking into the garage an hour or so after smoking, the aromatic bliss of this stick lingered in the air like a manly febreeze. My wife, who is a non-smoker, even commented on how good the smoke coming off it smelled.
I usually try to compare the smoke to similar ones I’ve enjoyed in my reviews, however, this was a very unique smoke. My best comparison is to call it the love child of an Undercrown and a Fuente 8-5-8. However, I feel this is still not incredibly accurate as this cigar has so much more to offer.
Bottom line: if you like maduros, get one of these ASAP. This is simply one of those cigars you MUST try at least once even if you are a casual cigar smoker. It’s in my top 2 for sure, and I am looking forward to trying some different vitolas. Long ashes brothers!
-Ryan
Comments
.... or something rather.
Sorry, Ryan, I had to after the Oliva comment on the MM thread.
Maybe I'll do more reviews this summer. I was just really blown away with this smoke and had to write something.
As for my #1 cigar (not a Perdomo Martel!), it was really more about the convergence of a perfect bucolic experience and a shared afternoon of conversation. It was a Hemingway Classic. I had never seen a perfecto before, and I had no clue what a Cameroon was, but I was in love. One of my best friends had one with me and they always remind me of him.
So I guess this is my new #1. I'm a total Fuente ho, I know.
I've got four Anejos wintering in my humidor, waiting for warm weather to return so I can sample their bodaciousness.