Country: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Cameroon
Filler: Dominican Republic
Size: Mini Belicoso 5 1/8x 43 ring
The Fuente family makes some of the most popular cigars in the US. The Opus X and Hemingway lines seem to get the most notoriety in this part of the country, but right up there with them is the premium Don Carlos line of Cameroon wrapped cigars. The Don Carlos is a supurbly constructed refined cigar that proudly bears the name of Don Carlos Fuente Sr. himself. The Don Carlos can be had in various vitolas, seven of which are the most common. The #2, #3, #4, Robusto, Double Robusto, Belicoso, and Presidente. I have seen pictures of a Lancero but have never seen one in person. I don’t know the story behind the Lancero but can only assume it was some kind of special run that may or may not have ever been publicly available. The Fuente’s seem to have a lot of special run, never released cigars floating around out there. You often hear stories of them much like you hear stories of Big Foot and Lochness sightings.
But I digress. Today I am smoking the Don Carlos No.4 courtesy of my friends at CigarsDirect.com. There is a great selection of hard to find smokes over there so please click on over and look around.
The Don Carlos No.4 is a handsome looking Mini Belicoso in an toothy, brown Cameroon wrapper that shimmers with an oily sheen. The Mini Belicoso is unique. The cigar is the size of a Petite Corona but with the tapered bullet head of a belicoso. The wrapper tastes sweet on the lips and the draw seems to be about perfect with just the right amount of resistance. Right off the bat it delivers a nice strong abundance of Cameroon sweet spice. This is one of the smoothest and most refined Cameroons I’ve smoked (true of Don Carlos in general). I am a lover of Cameroon wrapped cigars so I really enjoyed this. The flavor was pretty consistent the whole way. This size is a little stronger and more robust than the larger vitolas in this line. There is a little pepper in the background and the finish is surprisingly light and pleasant. The construction is impeccable and the burn is perfect. Given the small, short format of this cigar, the lack of complexity really isn’t a problem. It is the perfect smoke if you are looking to get a lot straight forward, classic Cameroon flavor.
Get yours at CigarsDirect .com: Arturo Fuente Don Carlos
Matt's Cigar Journal 
[…] Around the Blogs: Matt has a Fuente Don Carlos. Cigar Jack smokes a CAO America. Stogie Review reviews a Bolivar Cofradia. […]
Hi Matt, linked through from Stogie Guys. Great review. I’ve not had the opportunity to try any of the cigars from the Fuente family, I feature TinderBox.com on my site and blog and would luv to refer this review!
aka Clarice.
btw. i’m a lady beginner, so I’m hunting for tips!
[…] Arturo Fuente Don Carlos #4 (Mat’s Cigar Journal) […]
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[…] Matt smoked the Don Carlos #4, one of the smaller cigars in this series. […]