• Hi Guest - Come check out all of the new CP Merch Shop! Now you can support CigarPass buy purchasing hats, apparel, and more...
    Click here to visit! here...

Don Arturo Gran Aniverxario Natural

Kingantz

Growing too fast.
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
7,648
From what I’ve read, Carlito created this cigar in 2001 as a tribute to his Grandfather Arturo Fuente and recently released them in both natural and sun grown wrapper. They were presented in four different style humidors of ninety-six cigars, however several vendors were selling singles at $60 each. I’ve decided to start out with the natural wrapper, which is a medium brown in color with only slight noticeable oils. I notice a number of small veins running throughout, however the cigar is still quite smooth to the touch and has a slight give when squeezed. The weight feels perfect in the hand with good bunching in the foot, and with the cap punched I find a perfect resistance in the cold draw. Taste is slightly musty with another flavor I can’t seem to put my finger on. Vegetable I think. I will also add here that the band on this cigar is beyond extravagant. The detail is amazing, just a gorgeous band.

Using my Zippo torch, I start putting fire in the center of the foot, holding it until a nice glowing orange appears and then slowly start circling outwards. I continue this until I feel the entire foot is lit well, then blow on the embers and watch until the orange glow is uniform across the entire foot. I take a few quick puffs and make sure the burn is nice and even, then slowly pull a long draw through.

White pepper and cinnamon spice mingle together in the first draw, hitting the back of the throat perfectly. The medium bodied smoke is quite smooth and cool over the tongue and has a brown sugar sweetness to it. Raw, fresh pecan is what I’m thinking. Definitely a woodiness flavor as well with what seems like a hint of ginger. I find the finish quite clean and somewhat lasting on the palate.

A sharp, white ash is forming that is somewhat flaky, and the draw is spot on allowing a perfect amount of smoke to come through. A third in and the spiciness is still at a perfect level with the smoke continuing to be a good medium body, leaning closely to full. Flavors are consistent as described previously, delicious when exhaling through the mouth and nose with a nice twang coming through. I’m thinking there may be a faint hint of cocoa as well. The finish is incredibly smooth and quite lasting.

Halfway in and the strength is definitely there making my head swoon slightly. Nice. The burn continues to be sharp and flavors remain consistent. I will say I’m a bit bothered as the guy on the band keeps staring at me for some reason. :D

The end of this cigar was as good if not better than the beginning and middle. Fantastic, complex flavors with a deliciously lasting finish on the palate. I will say that towards the end, I did find a familiar Opus profile emerged more so than in any other part of the cigar. An excellent smoke, the best Fuente I’ve had to date. I’m very much looking forward to the Sun Grown!

Many thanks to Geoff (StinkiMonki) for gifting me both a Natural and Sun Grown Don Arturo Gran Aniverxario to try out/review.
DSC01180.jpg

03-28-09DAAnnix001.jpg

03-28-09DAAnnix002.jpg

03-28-09DAAnnix003.jpg

03-28-09DAAnnix004.jpg

03-28-09DAAnnix005.jpg

DSC01231.jpg
 
One day I'll be able to smoke one of those, and based on your review it will be one helluva day!

Great review as always Greg! :thumbs:
 
Did anyone every tell you that you have short fingers :laugh:

That cigars looks awesome my friend. Thanks for the good review.
 
Did anyone every tell you that you have short fingers :laugh:

That cigars looks awesome my friend. Thanks for the good review.

Short....and fat! :laugh: Maybe that's why I can't play a guitar worth a cheet!
 
Frankly, I was hoping for you to have panned this cigar, because, with your favorable review, I now have to go out and buy one! :angry: :laugh:
 
That was a great review, I have been wanting to get my hands on a couple of these. The wife would kill me if she new about the price. Thanks for the great review and pics. I always know that your reviews will be great.
 
Nice review as always Greg.

But I can't help but noticing that your comments don't really lead me to want to shell out the $60 to $80 for one.

For that kind of money, I wanted to hear that your eyes rolled back into you head and your toes cured with every puff :laugh:
 
Excellent review on an oustanding cigar. Overpriced? Very much so, but tasty nonetheless.

You'll love the sungrown - adds a little kick that the natural doesn't have.
 
Thanks for the great review Greg. I had a chance to get a couple of these and am kicking myself for passing now.
 
Another fine review Greg. Thanks for sharing. I've been curious on how these smokes since it's release.
 
Top