TX Duo Review Fuente Eye of the Bull

[Çnote]

We're back!

Man I don't like this. It's immediately off-puttingly strong and harsh. It's only a couple inches and I don’t see it going anywhere today. This is easily the least smooth Fuente I can remember, esp with a Don Carlos band. That being said, I'm pretty sure this will age quite well and the name is a tell-tale for a big flavored blend.

It threatens to mellow out, but then I'm hit with what I can only describe as ammonia, which I've never gotten in a Fuente. Construction seems spot on, burn line is a razor, ash is holding strong, but this tastes terrible (to me). I'm reminded most of some uberpowerful LFD blends that some love and I just don't get.

Getting to halfway, I'm still not a fan. I can't taste anything but 'cigar.' It's got some nice citrus twang and a lot of power. I'd feel good about a box of these deep in the humidor, but mostly as a good value to trade later. 

Well maybe I'll smoke them. Getting to about 2/3 done, it's finally showing some grace with a little shortbread biscuit and burnt marshmallow. The ash is hanging like a champ even with typing. Sugary oatmeal, the real whole oat stuff and a lacing of espresso. It's pretty good, but some hard work to get here and not much left. I get about 10 puffs of nice cigar and it turns bitter with the heat of the butt.

I'm utterly mystified by this. Does it just need more time? Do I not like the blend profile? Did this get an under fermented leaf somehow? 

This really just justifies my lack of interest in rare Fuente. Love DCs, especially No.4s, I'll happily smoke DCPR and GoF on deal, but this just isn't me.

I'll give it 4/10 for being quite well made and totally displeasing.

@Capn_Jackson, I can only assume you loved this.

[Capn_Jackson]

Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Bull

I always enjoy a good Don Carlos, mostly the #3 or robusto, and there’s a lot of hype about the EotB, so let’s dig in.

Short stubby little guy, with the standard faded-brown Don Carlos wrapper. Great draw after a straight cut. The cold draw gives me a lot of dark agave, tiny bit of jalapeño heat, and some vanilla. Opening light has more of the same, but it comes across as slightly-sweetened iced tea. The burn line starts to get a little wavy and requires a touchup, eventually, but flavor seems to be unaffected.

Velvety-smooth mouthfeel, kind of a powdered sugar feel, and a long finish of slightly spicy salted cashews. First half has been a delight, but nothing exceptional. An earthy core, redolent of nuts and vanilla, with bits of salt and coffee here and there. Reminds me more of Eye of the Shark than a standard Don Carlos.

Burn line continues to get worse, but I give it a light touch-up, more a “toast-up,” to try and not spoil what’s going on. We continue with a good nutty vibe, maybe even marzipan at this point. Gotta hand it to this thing, even with a couple touch-ups, ash is hanging on for dear life.

After the halfway point, closer to the end, agave sweetness starts to turn more saccharine, not yet unpleasant but less enjoyable. Eventually, though, everything tastes a little too roasted. Ends up with blackened fruit and burnt caramel. No bueno. Far from the nice opening I was presented with. I have some more of these, and they will be taking a nice, long nap somewhere in the cabinet. Might dig them out the next time the Rangers get to the World Series.

75/100 for me, but I think time will help a lot, like most any Don Carlos. Unlike regular production DC’s, though, I think time is mandatory with this stick.

[Capn_Jackson]

@Çnote it looks like we, once again, smoked in reverse of each other! 😆

[Çnote]

36 minutes ago, Capn_Jackson said:

@Çnote it looks like we, once again, smoked in reverse of each other! 😆

More like entirely different cigars. Your description is spot on what I'd like in a cigar, what I smoked is exactly what I don't want.