What else can you say about the cigar named very best of the year by none other than Cigar Aficionado magazine? First, that we disagree.
This year's choice landed with a thud around our offices. (Not that we have an actual office, except for our officially unofficial but generally recognized hangout where we talk cigars, sorta like Fonzie's desk in the men's room at Arnold's, but we digress.) Not because it's a bad cigar, since Fuente has never made anything approaching a bad smoke. But rather, because this modernized, amped up expression of the Don Carlos blend is a special edition that doesn't do anything to top the original. In fact, we think it's not as good.
That being said, this is certainly a better looking cigar than a regular Don Carlos. The oily, dark, Cameroon wrapper puts its little brother to shame, making it look matte and dull by comparison...and that's a darn nice wrapper! It also appears it might have been a little veiny for use on anything but a box pressed cigar. (Pressing 'smooths out' the imperfections in a wrapper leaf a bit,.) While we're on the topic, it's really not a completely pressed cigar...the bottom part is, but the top just has a normal taper like any other belicoso.)
That being said, this is certainly a better looking cigar than a regular Don Carlos. The oily, dark, Cameroon wrapper puts its little brother to shame, making it look matte and dull by comparison...and that's a darn nice wrapper! It also appears it might have been a little veiny for use on anything but a box pressed cigar. (Pressing 'smooths out' the imperfections in a wrapper leaf a bit,.) While we're on the topic, it's really not a completely pressed cigar...the bottom part is, but the top just has a normal taper like any other belicoso.)
At 5.25x52, it's not of gargantuan dimensions and bucks the trend that special releases not only need to be stronger, but also bigger, thicker and more dramatic in presentation. It falls easily to hand, but lighting it up took some effort. The blend is a secret though it's similar to Don Carlos in that it's all Dominican. The price is reasonable, only $12.25--or at least it was before CA named it cigar of the year. Let the price gouging begin!
Unscrupulous retailers immediately hiked their price for singles up to $50 or more and over $1000 for full boxes.
The Eye of the Shark was a little bit of a chore to keep lit. The draw was airy, but maybe just a teeny bit too loose as we had to make sure we smoked slowly enough not to get it too hot. Strength was definitely a notch or two above the normal Don Carlos line, with much more pronounced meaty, leathery character. And it also gets going right out of the gate rather than being a slow starter that blooms enjoyably as it goes.
This is almost a 'modernized' version of Don Carlos made for today's impatient audience who expects big blasts of flavor and aroma. In addition to the leather and wood, there was the nutty sweetness we expect from good Cameroon wrapper but also fruit cake and baking spice to help balance out the more sharp and savory elements. Complexity was moderate overall.
This is almost a 'modernized' version of Don Carlos made for today's impatient audience who expects big blasts of flavor and aroma. In addition to the leather and wood, there was the nutty sweetness we expect from good Cameroon wrapper but also fruit cake and baking spice to help balance out the more sharp and savory elements. Complexity was moderate overall.
As it turns out, we smoked these months ago...and promptly forgot about them. We dug some more out for a re-tasting following CA's Top 25 announcement and while we enjoyed them overall, they just don't live up to the hype.
Therefore, this cigar is a little tough to recommend given the current marketplace. At a couple bucks more than a regular Don Carlos, fine. But now that you can expect to pay double MSRP or much more, our suggestion is to simply kick back with a $10.60 Don Carlos Belicoso instead, which in the end is more subtle and nuanced if not quite as pretty. (Or a plain old Spanish Lonsdale, which provides a nice dose of Fuente-made, Cameroon-wrapped goodness for just $5.20, albeit in a slimmer format.)
Come to think of it, that's pretty much how we felt about the other special Don Carlos release this year, the Personal Reserve.
Therefore, this cigar is a little tough to recommend given the current marketplace. At a couple bucks more than a regular Don Carlos, fine. But now that you can expect to pay double MSRP or much more, our suggestion is to simply kick back with a $10.60 Don Carlos Belicoso instead, which in the end is more subtle and nuanced if not quite as pretty. (Or a plain old Spanish Lonsdale, which provides a nice dose of Fuente-made, Cameroon-wrapped goodness for just $5.20, albeit in a slimmer format.)
Come to think of it, that's pretty much how we felt about the other special Don Carlos release this year, the Personal Reserve.
THE DETAILS 5.75x52 Dominican Republic W: Cameroon B: Dominican Republic F: Dominican Republic $12.25 | THE HIGHLIGHTS A more in-your-face take on the classic Don Carlos. Gorgeous wrapper. Lacks subtlety/nuance we enjoy about the regular DC. Upfront, woody, leathery and balanced with sweet nuts and cake. Not worth the crazy retailer markup. | THE VERDICT CLASSIC EXCELLENT VERY GOOD GOOD ---------------------- SMOKE/HOLD |
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