Posts Tagged Carlos Fuente

Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario 2007

This week we are photographing and reviewing the Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario 2007 robusto vitola – released under Fuente Aged Selection and produced in Dominican Republic at Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia. Year 2006 was the 30th anniversary of the Don Carlos cigars created by the patriarch of the Fuente family, Carlos Fuente, Sr. In 2006, in a tribute to his father, Carlito Fuente created the Don Carlos 30th Anniversary cigars – the Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario. The fillers and binders are Dominican tobaccos. They are wrapped in the shade-grown tobaccos from Chateau de la Fuente, same tobaccos one will find on the Fuente Fuente OpusX. The Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario has been released in relatively limited quantity since its inception in 2006. A total of 22,500 Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario cigars were shipped to the authorized Fuente Aged Selection dealers in May 2012. The next release will be in the spring of 2013.

500 of the Robusto 2006
500 of the Double Robusto 2006
500 of the Toro 2006

7,000 of the Robusto 2007 (50 x 5 1/4): 10 cigars per box, MSRP $289.00
7,000 of the Double Robusto 2007 (52 x 5 3/4): 10 cigars per box, MSRP $299.00
7,000 of the Toro 2007 (48 x 6 1/4): 10 cigars per box, MSRP $299.00



Visually, the Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario 2007 robusto is simply a thing of beauty: slightly box-pressed finish, tripple capped, well blended seams, invisible veins, light & smooth wrapper. On the “cover”: attractive main Don Carlos band with a secondary 2007 designation band. The bottom half wrapped in well applied cedar. Construction and burn wise, more accolades:  light and tight ash (as depicted below), great smoke output, and excellent draw throughout the entire experience. In flavor department: noticeable cedar, cubanesque hints, nuttiness, a touch of caramel and increasing spice.


Overall, good experience. Good flavors, excellent construction, exceptional packaging. To get the best out of this cigar, I strongly recommend not rushing through it. Take your time and enjoy the complexity of the Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario 2007 which in my personal experience, wasn’t that simple to dissect. If rushed, especially in the last third, the nicotine kick will sneak up on you ! It did in the third sample I have smoked. Would I recommend the cigar ? – Yes. Is it an everyday smoke ? – Far from it. The price tag will scare plenty of cigar smokers but at the end of the day, your wallet will dictate Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario’s success.


Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera A.Fuente y Cia)
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 5.25″
Ring: 50

Construction > Good
Burn > Good
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Yes



* DISCLAIMER: Don Carlos Edicion de Aniversario 2007 cigars were gifted by Keith K. Park of Prometheus. Keith’s generosity had no impact on the actual experience.

Please consider the following post:
* God of Fire by Carlito 2007
* God of Fire Serie B

 

- click on photographs - 
 
 
 
 

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God of Fire Serie B – cigar giveaway

And the winner of the God of Fire Serie B robusto gordo 3-pack giveway is …





Thank You all for participating. Cigar smoking is about enjoying as well as sharing. In 2012 and going forward, if my coolidors / humidors agree, I would like to continue with 1 giveaway per month. Cigars, Photo prints, etc. Conceptually, not too many limits. Everyone is welcome back to ‘play’ again. I have received quite a bit from the cigar industry and local B&Ms. It is time to Pay It Forward. Merry Christmas to You and Yours !

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God of Fire Serie B

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! Giveway !

Leave a comment (no rules) and be eligible for one 3-pack of God of Fire Serie B (robusto gordo). Deadline – 11:59pm EST on 12DEC. Random selection and announcement will take place on 13DEC. Perfect Holiday Gift !!!

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This week we are photographing and reviewing a God of Fire Serie B (robusto gordo 54), a product released through collaborative effort between Keith K. Park of Prometheus and Carlos Fuente Jr. Serie B will be available this holiday season in two vitolas: robusto gordo (54×5.5″ – $22 msrp) and gran toro (56×6″ – $24 msrp). Release quantity – 10,000 each. God Of Fire Serie B line, produced in Dominican Republic at Tabacalera A.Fuente y Cia, will come in two different blends.

GOF Serie B ‘Robusto Gordo 54’ is using an Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper. GOF Serie B ‘Gran Toro’ is using a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. We have released two Serie B vitolas for this holiday season. In 2012, we will be adding couple more sizes to the Serie B line. – Keith K. Park



Similarly to the God of Fire by Carlito 2007 review, the overall presentation of God of Fire Serie B ‘robusto gordo 54’ was near perfection. That goes for the box design, packaging and band story. There is a bit of a departure when it comes to cigar’s construction though. If I was to compare visual presentation and construction of the GOF Serie B (robusto gordo 54) to the GOF by Carlito 2007, I would identify the former as “bold / edgy” and the latter as “refined / smooth.” GOF Serie B ‘robusto gordo 54’, as stated above, was sporting a thick, rugged looking, Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper with plenty of thick veins and clearly visible seams. After clipping it, easily detectable peppery spice on a cold and free flowing draw. In flavor department, I was able to extract the following: earthiness, woodiness, black pepper and hints of sweetness on the tip of the tongue and lips. The Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper triggered sharp increase in the strength department. Retrohale was an experience in itself. Ash, although not as good as GOF by Carlito 2007, was still holding-on fairly long and needed couple extra taps to fall off. Burn line from the beginning to the end was a bit wavy on the first smoked sample but perfect on the second.


This was surely an interesting and a bit unexpected experience. I always thought of God of Fire cigars as smooth, refined, etc. That was not the case with GOF Serie B ‘robusto gordo 54.’ The latest project is edgy, bold with “dark / deep” flavors. If you are a God of Fire follower and always wanted a similar experience with an extra kick, don’t look any further. Having said that, what also comes along with Serie B is a familiar price tag ($22 / $24 depending on vitola). I was very pleased with GOF by Carlito 2007 and its price tag didn’t scare me away. I don’t think I feel the same about Serie B ‘robusto gordo 54.’ Your mileage may vary ! Perhaps for me, it was the Ecuadorian Sun Grown finish that put a spin on the experience. I understand that my fellow photographer / blogger (Brooks from smokingstogie.com) enjoyed his ‘Gran Toro’ with Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper quite a bit. I have a soft spot for Connecticut Broadleaf so for now, I’m looking forward to trying the Gran Toro !


Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 5.5″
Ring: 54

Construction > Decent
Burn > Good
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Yes



* DISCLAIMER: God of Fire Serie B cigars were gifted by Keith K. Park of Prometheus. Keith’s generosity had no impact on the actual experience.

Please consider the following post:
* God of Fire by Carlito 2007

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)- 

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God of Fire by Carlito 2007

- click on photographs (slideshow / EXIF)- 

This week we are photographing and reviewing a God of Fire by Carlito 2007, a product released through collaborative effort between Keith K. Park of Prometheus and Carlos Fuente Jr. God Of Fire cigars, produced in Dominican Republic at Tabacalera A.Fuente y Cia, come in two different blends.

From God Of Fire website:
The second band signifies who blended the cigar and what year the cigar was made. Carlos Fuente, Sr. and his son, Carlito Fuente, have blended the God of Fire cigars. God of Fire by Don Carlos uses the Ecuadorian wrapper whereas God of Fire by Carlito, Cameroon. We are absolutely honored by the special blends created by the two legendary cigar makers.



The presentation of God of Fire by Carlito 2007 is near perfection. That goes for box design, packaging, band story and obviously the cigar itself. Although I prefer simplicity when it comes to artistic delivery, I can appreciate a band that is not too obtrusive, yet tells an interesting story. In this case, we have a Greek tale of Prometheus being punished by Zeus for stealing fire and giving it to mortals. Neat ! As mentioned above, God of Fire by Carlito 2007 was sporting a Cameroon oily wrapper, with a bit of tooth to it, that lacked any veins and had few visible seams. After clipping the cap, two samples had a perfect draw. Not too loose, not too tight. Just what the doctor prescribed. In flavor department, more accolades. I have experienced an array of flavors – sweetness, nuttiness, honey, leather, woodiness. There were moments that reminded me of your typical Cuban ‘grassiness.’ All was smooth and well balanced. Construction and burn on the God of Fire by Carlito 2007 were top notch, hands down. In fact, I’m tempted to say that this specific cigar took the trophy, for me personally, for the best ash I have ever experienced in my life. The proof is depicted below.


God of Fire by Carlito 2007 was definitely an enjoyable experience both from smoker’s as well as photographer’s perspective. One will probably ask “why don’t we see folks smoking God Of Fire on regular basis ?” Well, unfortunately there is a small obstacle, actually $20+ obstacle. We are living a cigar-smoker dream at this moment. Quality control is at its best, variety is peaking through the roof but unfortunately disposable cash is hard to find. Your average Joe, 9 times out of 10 will reach for the $10 cigar, which today should / could provide similar quality and experience, and will most likely wait for that “special moment” to enjoy God Of Fire by Carlito or Don Carlos.


Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Cameroon
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 7″
Ring: 48

Construction > Great
Burn > Amazing
Enjoy > Yes
Recommend > Yes
Buy > Yes

* DISCLAIMER: God of Fire by Carlito 2007 cigars were gifted by Keith K. Park of Prometheus. Keith’s generosity had no impact on the actual experience. The cigar spoke for itself.

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