Arturo Fuente Hemingway Between the Lines
Size: 4 1/2" x 54 rg Short Perfecto
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade/Maduro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Strength: Mild
Well, this review was supposed to be posted on Thanksgiving day, as that is when I smoked it, but due to a hectic holiday schedule I didn't manage to post it until today. I was gifted this cigar on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, at the Monrovia DoubleTree herf by DesertRat and I must give a huge thank you to him! This knocks off another one of my wish list items, and I couldn't wait to fire it up. I figured, heck, it's Thanksgiving, what better way to celebrate than to smoke something rare and that is a gift!
Pre-Light
I'd have to say that the Fuentes have some of the best rollers out there, no doubt about it. Whoever they have roll these little beauties is skilled for sure, as the construction is absolutely flawless. The soft, silken dual wrappers have very little oil on them, with the cap being perfectly applied and the foot being a wonderfully executed perfecto tip. When squeezed along it's length, there is a light crunch in the fingertips, with a good springy feel to the cigar.
Draw & Burn
I decided to clip the head, as several of the Short Stories I have smoked have been a bit on the tight side when punched. Once cut, I found a perfect cold draw that, once lit, stayed consistent throughout the duration of the cigar. The burn was good save for a brief run that once corrected did not return. The ash was a nice solid light gray, and held on strong until halfway through the smoke when it dropped into my lap. Dang!
Before the ash dropped, I noticed that I could actually see the transition of the wrappers in the ash, which I found pretty neat.
Flavor Profile
The cold draw was my first indicator of a delicious smoke ahead of me, as it carried on it a rich tobacco flavor with a hint of maduro sweetness. Once lit, the tiny perfecto foot was a very simple in flavor, featuring a soft tobacco and cocoa flavor, however once the burn reached the widest part of the bulbous end, the flavor profile jumped out at me. Complexity grew, becoming ripe with milk chocolate, vanilla bean, coffee, and that oh so good maduro sweetness. I was surprised at the nice peppery finish in the mouth and nose, finding it very, very pleasing.
Overall Impression
Perhaps the hype and rarity factors played into my enjoying this cigar as much as I did, but who cares!
This little smoke was an absolute treat, and a perfect morning smoke. The flavors were spot on, rich, creamy and outright delicious. The body of the smoke itself was full and creamy, with the cigar producing huge, billowing clouds of delightfully sweet smoke. At $14 a cigar, these would be tough to drop the coin on in box quantities, but I will certainly be looking to keep a fiver on hand for special occasions. Thank you again Danny for the chance to smoke a well known rarity, and for knocking one off of my list!
Size: 4 1/2" x 54 rg Short Perfecto
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade/Maduro
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Strength: Mild
Well, this review was supposed to be posted on Thanksgiving day, as that is when I smoked it, but due to a hectic holiday schedule I didn't manage to post it until today. I was gifted this cigar on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, at the Monrovia DoubleTree herf by DesertRat and I must give a huge thank you to him! This knocks off another one of my wish list items, and I couldn't wait to fire it up. I figured, heck, it's Thanksgiving, what better way to celebrate than to smoke something rare and that is a gift!
Pre-Light
I'd have to say that the Fuentes have some of the best rollers out there, no doubt about it. Whoever they have roll these little beauties is skilled for sure, as the construction is absolutely flawless. The soft, silken dual wrappers have very little oil on them, with the cap being perfectly applied and the foot being a wonderfully executed perfecto tip. When squeezed along it's length, there is a light crunch in the fingertips, with a good springy feel to the cigar.
Draw & Burn
I decided to clip the head, as several of the Short Stories I have smoked have been a bit on the tight side when punched. Once cut, I found a perfect cold draw that, once lit, stayed consistent throughout the duration of the cigar. The burn was good save for a brief run that once corrected did not return. The ash was a nice solid light gray, and held on strong until halfway through the smoke when it dropped into my lap. Dang!
Flavor Profile
The cold draw was my first indicator of a delicious smoke ahead of me, as it carried on it a rich tobacco flavor with a hint of maduro sweetness. Once lit, the tiny perfecto foot was a very simple in flavor, featuring a soft tobacco and cocoa flavor, however once the burn reached the widest part of the bulbous end, the flavor profile jumped out at me. Complexity grew, becoming ripe with milk chocolate, vanilla bean, coffee, and that oh so good maduro sweetness. I was surprised at the nice peppery finish in the mouth and nose, finding it very, very pleasing.
Overall Impression
Perhaps the hype and rarity factors played into my enjoying this cigar as much as I did, but who cares!
