Cigar Geeks - Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 2

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 2
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Jared (The Burn Ward)

86
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Member sponsored Geek Critique. This one has been generously sponsored by our member Vroomp (Brad). The cigar provided for this round is the http://www.cigargeeks.com/cigardb/default.asp?action=showcig&cigar_id=7368">Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 2. Carlos Fuente Jr. blended the Don Carlos cigar line to honor his father, Fuente patriarch Carlos Fuente Sr., for whom the cigar is named. The cigar has long been prized for its flavor and consistency. Unlike the company's spicy Fuente Fuente OpusX brand, Don Carlos cigars are nuanced. The cigars are wrapped in toothy Cameroon harvested from Western Africa. The filler and binder leaves include some of the oldest tobaccos in Fuente's extensive and massive tobacco inventory. The No. 2, which first hit the market in 1997, is a considerably fat pyramid, with a portly 55 ring gauge. As with most Don Carlos cigars, the smoke is a slow starter.

Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 2

Brand:: Arturo Fuente
Name:: Don Carlos No. 2
Length:: 6
Ring Gauge:: 55
Country of Origin:: Dominican Republic
Filler:: Dominican Republic
Binder:: Dominican Republic
Wrapper:: Cameroon
Color:: Colorado Maduro
Strength:: Medium
Shape:: Torpedo
Average Member Purchase Price:: $14.34
Average Member Rating:: (7 Review(s))

This cigar was enjoyed with BenRiach 20, BenRiach 16, BenRiach Heart Speyside

Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible

Slight oily sheen. Smooth with one semi-prominent vein. Wrapper seems fragile, there's a slight crack in the wrapper near the band but does not go through to the binder. Cuts flawless and does not unravel. There's a pleasant aroma to the cigar.

Lighting and Burn: 11 Points of 15 Possible

Straight cut. Lights pretty easily with only one spot near the middle that needed some extra torch. The ash is a bit flaky but holds strong to about a half inch before I feel it needs to be tapped off. The burn is slightly wavy but does not require any relights. The ash is dark grey and almost black in place. It burns a little fast for its size.

Construction: 24 Points of 30 Possible

Good draw with a slightly light pull for my liking. Great smoke volume. It's a near seamless wrapper with a light vein going the length. The wrapper is a bit fragile with a small crack near the band, it does not affect the draw and is not running. Typical Fuente fashion the band pulls up part of the wrapper.

Flavor and Aroma: 42 Points of 45 Possible

This is a very mellow smoke with fuller flavor. Very distinct of Fuente with a Dominican sweetness.

First third: Sweet, toasty, notes of caramel, coca-cola, taste like stroop waffle at times with my whisky.

Second third: Slightly herbal at times, still sweet, bready, still getting coca cola notes.

Final third: toasty, sweet bread, grassy at times, sweetness, white pepper and cola still comes in when taking more time between puffs, some raisin notes come through. The different scotches definitely play their part in enhancing and enticing certain tastes.

The smoke is doesn't smell very strong and is quite nice.

Summary

This is definitely a cigar to have on hand if you enjoy anything Fuente or like the Dominican flavor profile. It can stand up to just about anything you are drinking. I would say it's a few notches above medium strength. I enjoy the #2 or Torpedo vitola. It is an enjoyable cigar that will have you puffing til the last bit of the nub. I think you could smoke this cigar any time of day and still have your palate intact for enjoying anything else you may want to smoke or consume.