Cigar:            Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Double Robusto

Size:             52 x 5.75"

Country:          DR

Wrapper:          Cameroon, EMS

Binder:           DR

Filler:           DR

Flavor Strength:  Medium-Full

NicotineStength:  Medium-Full

Date Received:    2007-09-04

Suspected Age:   

Vendor/Price:     Gift of SteveA, ASC

Hype:       Don Carlos Fuente Sr. spent years deciding which rare, vintage tobaccos would go into the Arturo Fuente Don Carlos cigars that, to many aficionados, are considered the finest of all Arturo Fuente cigars, including Fuente Fuente OpusX! The Arturo Fuente Don Carlos is rich, spicy and full-bodied, wrapped in the most aromatic, specially-selected Cameroon wrappers. For the ultimate in construction, wrapper color, consistency and flavor, add a box of Arturo Fuente Don Carlos cigars to your humidor for those special moments of blissful solitude.

Beverage(s):      Water, Deschutes Black Butte Porter

Smoke time:       1:25

Date:             2007-09-14

Posted to ASC:    2007-09-14

Overall score:    4.1 / 5.0

Sock color:       Blue

Hat:              None

Overall:    This would be a great smaller cigar.  A bit too much nicotine in this larger than my usual smoke.  If the No.4 tasted like this, it could become a regular addition to the stable.  Starts medium and grows to full flavor.  A bit of everthing in the flavor evolution of this smoke.  Overall a fairly sweet smoke, with leather, cocoa, and then some late, great cherry fruitiness.  Wonderful long afters and finish. 

Ambience:   Coming off a gentle hangover after a business dinner last night.  Lots of OR Pinot Noir and armagnac.  After a 2 hour nap and a dinner of broiled pink salmon and garlic mashed potatoes, I am feeling well.  Watching a no-count baseball game between the Mariners and Tampa Bay.  The Little Woman is off, on a quilting weekend on Whidbey Island.

Appearance: Very dark natural, mottled, dusky brown wrapper.  Long cap.  Firm along length. 

Cut & Prelight:   Very sweet, floral, barnyardy aroma.  Cut well yielding a very comfortable draw with sweet dry grass draw flavor.  Promising ...

First third:      Initially somewhat sweet leather.  Low smoke volume.  So far, much better than the No. 4.  At 1" some tongue tingling spice arrives.  Sweet, spicy, with a bit of leather.  A little harshness on the soft palate.  Smoke volume up. 

Second third:     The harshness has grown in intensity.  Still a pleasant smoke.  Obvious nicotine buzz at the halfway point.  Some cocoa and still a bit of leather.  Sweet after.  Harshness seems to have worked its way out.  Sweet cherry in the after - very nice. 

Third third:      Quite sweet and fruity, particularly in the long after.  Has become full-flavored and full-strengthed.  Abandoned at 1-1/2".