[Non-Cuban infidelity ahead] Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story

[ayedfy]

A bit of a chilly winter night here, so I decided to pull out one of the smaller cigars in my little Tuppador. I don't do NCs very often so this should be interesting.

Arturo Fuente Hemingway Short Story. Dominican, vitola size: 4x42/49.

Cold observations: Wrapper is constructed well and nicely uniform in colour. Nothing in the aroma standing out at cold, although quite a strong flavour of earthy spice on the cold draw. Draw is incredibly loose.

Opening third: Unbelievably full-bodied opening, probably helped by the loose draw. Cracked pepper, nutmeg, grassy/hay, and raw, bitter coffee beans. A side of acidic, sour citrus (grapefruit perhaps). Dry, sharp, a little unbalanced but admirably bold.

Middle third: The spiciness has developed into a welcomed red wine tannic pepper. Very slight drop in body, but still maintaining plenty of strength. Black coffee holding on from the opening (as well as, unfortunately, those acidic citrus notes), with a minute amount of sweet cinnamon sugar attempting to balance it out.

Final third: Continues to drop off, although much more significantly this time, down to a light-medium body. Lost a lot of the unpleasant acidity, but also a lot of everything else. Even drier, with the coffee beans clearing out for bitter oak. Subtle sweetness of crème brûlée and shortbread; delicious, but far too quiet and distant for my liking. Leathery, with earthy saltiness towards the end.

This cigar is really pushing all the right buttons that *should* take it into the high 80s, and maybe even low 90s for a particularly excellent example. It does a good job giving out truckloads of flavour and complexity from the first draw, which is crucial for a cigar of this size. The flavour profile has a lot of tasty, exciting things going on as well.

Unfortunately, this one also clearly had an off-putting sharp acidity, that was sometimes too overpowering to get past. Maybe it was going through a sick period, but it has to lose a bunch of points there, since I don't have much experience with this vitola/brand/country and just have to call it as I smoke it.

If such acidity is the anomalous factor here, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to others, or maybe even buy more for myself.

79/100

[backslide]

A fantastic cigar that I prefer in maduro. If you're looking to try more from this line, start with the Work of Art or Best Seller imho the benchmark Hemingway's.

[Marker]

Well at least this puts to bed any questions that non Cubans are one dimensional. There are 15 flavors you mention in the different thirds of a 4 inch cigar.

We should mail Rob, Ken AND SMITHY some so they can see how many transitions this cigar makes. What a journey.

[SCgarman]

It is a very good little cigar, albeit a bit pricey. But I enjoy em now and then.

[pandyboy]

I love this cigar and think it is great for a short smoke. Lovely review!

[olotti]

Thanks for another great review. This is what I feel is one of the Fuente's best lines, love the signature in this line but like all Fuente products they are overpriced which is to bad because I'd probably buy more. I'd love to see the gang here at FOH review an Anejo Shark or Opus X I think it'd be pretty interesting.

[Mxmike]

I also prefer the maduro line and enjoy the WOAM on occasion.

[jdo2110]

I agree that these cigars have a bit of personality.

The Cameroon wrappers, I feel, are what allow

them to present a miriad of flavors. The two

problems are have, or at least the reason I don't

purchase more....

1. Price. For the same, I could have any number of CCs.

2. It lacks a crescendo. As I find with most Cameroon wrapped cigars, they tease you with a TON of flavors, and then all of the sudden they just drop off. I'd be really curious to hear why that is.

ASH, you give excellent reviews. Thank you.

[ayedfy]

2. It lacks a crescendo. As I find with most Cameroon wrapped cigars, they tease you with a TON of flavors, and then all of the sudden they just drop off. I'd be really curious to hear why that is.

Interesting point, I too would like to hear about these Cameroon wrappers, as I certainly had that experience here. It didn't taste as sudden to my palate as what you're suggesting, but there was definitely a steady decline from the exciting first act.

[Spartan]

I also prefer the maduro line and enjoy the WOAM on occasion.

I concur, the WOAM is a stellar cigar especially with 2-3 yrs on it.

[Optic101]

Hello Ash,

Great review. I heard so much about this one and decied to get a small cabinet.

Will leave it alone for some time.

[meatball41]

Great review! The Hemingway signature in cameroon is what got me started on my cigar journey a few years ago. I get some of the same flavors you mentioned but the earthiness and coffee is what stand out most to me in the ones I've had but I'm not an "advanced" taster. I keep the short story in my rotation and is my top NC choice for a short smoke but I've been drifting more frequently now to the illusione "R" rothchilde as my go to quickie.

[Optic101]

Hello Ash,

Great review. I heard so much about this one and decied to get a small cabinet.

Will leave it alone for some time.

My plan did not last long.

Had one last night.

It is a very nice cigar.

Had some sweetness, on and off. A late night dessert.

Now I have to leave the rest alone for a few months.

[prsoderberg]

I've had this cigar a few times, but I seem to remember it costing more than it should. I don't think it's in the same league as an Opus X, but it's definitely a good smoke.

[jimb2u]

It is a very good little cigar, albeit a bit pricey. But I enjoy em now and then.

They are only pricey in NYC ;-). I have seen them for as much as $17.50 on NYC and as little as $6.50 elsewhere. These are my go-to NC's when I am at a lounge in the US and need to pick up sticks for non- smokers or folks looking for a nice little mild cigar.

Jim

[kevfi]

This one is in my regular rotation. They are a tad overpriced compared to some sticks, but they are always well constructed and enjoyable.

[earthson]

Gotta agree about the price - quite expensive for such a short smoke. For the money, I'll almost always reach for a Don Carlos instead if it's a cameroon-wrapped Fuente I'm craving.

And the larger Hemingway vitolas scared me off years ago due to bad roll-jobs.

[fabes]

Gotta agree about the price - quite expensive for such a short smoke. For the money, I'll almost always reach for a Don Carlos instead if it's a cameroon-wrapped Fuente I'm craving.

And the larger Hemingway vitolas scared me off years ago due to bad roll-jobs.

Agreed. If it must be a Fuente, then it better be a Don Carlos.

[rshacklefordiv]

I've been through several boxes of most of the different sizes of Hemingways, and I honestly don't think I've ever had one problem with a cigar. I find it to be the most consistent brand I enjoy. I get them for a very reasonable price though. If you've not tried a work of art, I highly recommend it.

[Firebender]

Short story is great

Fuente Hemingways and Don Carlos are few NC I like these days

[wookiemofo]

What is it that makes the SS wrapper have a sweet character? Almost like there's honey on it? A few different AF cigars seem to have this...

[Firebender]

Sweet creamy Cameroon wrapper

[sig 111]

never met a bad Hemingway goooda!

[Njt300]

Hemingways were my go to for a long long time...

[mikek]

Smoked an excellent non Cuban yesterday A Padron 1926 Maduro torpedo with A little over three years on it! This is definatly A FULL body cigar lot's of espresso dark chocolate spicey definatly not for everyone! Gave one to A fellow on A cruise ship one time and the nicotene kick made him sick!?

One of the few non Cuban cigars I always have,that and the 64 Maduro,and Alex Bradley Presedo rothchild!