Retro Smoke Cigar Review: Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature

Tuesday, March 06 2012

Arturo Fuente Hemingway "Signature"
Country of Origin: Dom. Rep.
Size: 6 x 47 Perfecto
Strength: Mild - Medium
Wrapper: African Cameroon
Filler: Dominican
Binder: Dominican
Presentation: Box of 25 cigars, 5-packs, singles
Location smoked: Leaf Cigar Bar & Restaurant
Paired with: Svedka Citron & Tonic w/Lime wedge

Appearance and feel: A bit rustic in appearance (see notes below), but wrapper was nice and silky.
Draw: Perfect
Pre-light flavor: Woody
Toasting & Light: Tip lit right up and took well.
First puff: Creamy and sweet.
Retrohale: smooth and nutty.
Base flavors: sweet cedar and nutmeg.
Aroma: Sweet.
Burn / Ash: Clean and even with a very firm ash.
Balance: Dead-on center

General Observations: This Fuente Hemingway Signature was from a 5-pack I purchased about  three years ago. Having stored it without cello and being moved around every so often, the cigar didn't have its usual pristine appearance. Actually, the wrapper looked a bit faded, but otherwise, it was in good condition. (It's among the best cured and aged Cameroon leaf, too.) I hadn't smoked a Hemingway in a while, so I was curious to see how it would hold up after such long aging. Fortunately, it hadn't mellowed too much, because the flavors were excellent and well-balanced with a sweet, woody flavor and aroma. The ash was just as impressive, holding on for over an inch.

Summary: This cigar continues to live up to its classic reputation. One thing I've noticed about the Hemingway line is, it's one of the few "milder" cigars that gets kudos from a decent number of full-strength cigar smokers. If you're reading this and you're a newbie, make sure that a Hemingway is on your "must smoke" list. As you can see by the second photo (which has mysteriously disappeared), I didn't want this one to end. Moreover, David Zayas from the Humidor at Leaf was in the bar at the time, noticed the stub on the toothpick and said, "That must be some good cigar."

Rating: ♦♦♦♦

See all Arturo Fuente Hemingway cigars.

Rating scale
♦ = Fair to Midland
♦♦ = Good
♦♦♦ = Excellent
♦♦♦♦ = Outstanding
♦♦♦♦♦ = Extraordinary