Don Carlos Eye Of The Shark (XNY23)

[Ford2112]

Saw this puppy at the local B&M today. Figured I would see if it lived up to the hype.

It didn't 🤔. Aroma at cold was funky, very aromatic actually and I had high hopes that this would be up my alley. Not a huge fan of the shape per se but hey change is good.

I cut about 1/8 inch of the end and it seemed pretty plugged. So I cut just a touch more and I got some draw,albeit very tight. Upon lighting I could tell it wasn't going to give me much smoke. Out comes the perfecdraw. Here's where the issues started.

I pushed the tool in and heard the cigar crack. Yikes not good! I pulled it out and there was a plug that came with it. Much better draw and I was getting good smoke output but the wrapper split and I lost a chunk of it on my lips. 💋 

First third was aromatic, good smoke output, strange flavors which I couldn't put my finger on. I was getting some of the Cameroon like I would from a hemingway but there was an underlying peppery perfumery deal going in and out. I enjoyed the first third for sure. 

The sunset was nice. 

Second third. Decent ash going albeit a wonky burn. A couple touch ups here and there. Funky flavors on the retrohale. But the overall flavor was a mix of almost a fire cure with the Cameroon wrapper and that perfume again. I was still somewhat digging it but it was unravelling a bit at the band. Draw and smoke output were good.

After about this part the cigar started to go south, flavor and construction wise. The cigar wrapper pretty much blew up on me and I was holding it together with my fingers. I wanted to like this cigar especially for what I paid for it but I just wasn't that enamored with the blend. At this point it was a chore with the wrapper coming apart and the flavors I was getting were muddled and all over the place. Too charred and perfumery for my tastes. I was gonna get my moneys worth, but I finally gave up on her. 

88 points and I'm being generous. I would have rather smoked a Hemingway .

[dicko]

Oh dear. I have an Eye of the shark marked for smoking this xmas break so hoping I don't run into the same issues. Totally agree the Hemingway line is wonderful. Thanks for the review.

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[Tradesman]

I’ve found the same to be the case on this year’s production.

Just bought a box of these due to the hype last month and to say I was underwhelmed is an overstatement.

My mates would say the same. All 3 cigars were plugged and none were close to the hype.

[loose_axle]

Ah that's sad to hear. I bought a handful a few years ago. Smoked one last year and it was divine so I don't know if they need to wait a bit. 

[JohnS]

@Ford2112 I'm not going to make you feel any better by saying that I've very much enjoyed my Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Shark cigars. I do hope this is an anomaly and you're able to smoke one more 'true-to-form' in the future.

[Silverstix]

As someone who started heavy in NC world - if you’re going for a Fuente shark it’s gotta be either the Opus or the Añejo. I prefer the Opus over the Añejo personally.

For this line the Don Carlos line, the star of the show by a mile is the Personal Reserve, it’s a Robusto. Absolutely worthy of getting a couple singles if you can find them.


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[prshah25]

I have smoked fresh and aged ( 3years) versions of the EOTS. Aged versions are a couple points higher. If you have a couple let it age a few years and then smoke it. It changes in flavor profile and is amazing. I think any of the Fuente top order cigars should not be smoked fresh. They need age for the potential to shine: 

[Ford2112]

2 hours ago, prshah25 said:

I have smoked fresh and aged ( 3years) versions of the EOTS. Aged versions are a couple points higher. If you have a couple let it age a few years and then smoke it. It changes in flavor profile and is amazing. I think any of the Fuente top order cigars should not be smoked fresh. They need age for the potential to shine: 

I may revisit. I am a huge fan of the Cameroon offerings from Fuente.

[TBird55]

Have half a box left from the first year run of the shark (2015). They are exquisite. Haven't smoked this years, but I would put them away for a few years. 

[Ford2112]

I likely won't be revisiting. For the price it's just not worth it .