CRQuarto
Brrraaaiiinnnsss.....
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2009
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Arturo Fuente Hemingway Work of Art Maduro 2006
Size: 4 7/8 x 60 rg Perfecto
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Strength: Medium
This cigar is primarily found during the holiday season and around father's day, though it can be had at some retailers year round. It is of the Hemingway line, featuring the same filler/binder blend as the other vitolas, but is the maduro version and sports a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. I am a huge fan of broadleaf, I am fast finding it to be one of the most flavorful tobaccos and have been actively seeking out cigars that use this leaf in their blend. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to try the maduro of the Work of Art, and I owe a huge thanks to Jon (Souldoggy) for giving me the chance to have a nicely aged one from 2006.
Pre-Light
A beautifully constructed little perfecto that is wrapped in a very dark, rough, sandpaper like broadleaf maduro wrapper that is glistening with sweet smelling oils. The scent coming off of this thing was very, very powerful and reminded me of raisins and barnyard. I could already feel my mouth watering, but I took it slow and sat back to examine this wonderful cigar. The tiny nipple foot was tightly rolled, and was complimented by a head that was sharply tapered to a fine point. The cigar itself felt a bit heavy for its diminutive size, and was rock hard to the touch. I wasn't overly concerned by this, as the broadleaf wrapper is a fairly thick, tough wrapper and can be a bit misleading on the squeeze test. I clipped the cap at an angle in the same fashion that Greg uses, and found a spot on pre-light draw that tasted of raisins, much like the scent of the wrapper. I was picking up a delicious sweetness on the lips that I could not get enough of, and I was half tempted to just eat the dang cigar!
Burn & Draw
During the course of the smoke, the burn was what I could only describe as "lumpy" and required a good number of touch ups. I didn't mind in the least bit. The ash was rock hard and a nice light gray color that held on until I had to knock it off for are light. I purged a couple times to get the burn going strong, but never due to bitterness or harsh tastes.
Flavor Profile
The initial punch I expected from a perfecto shape was much stronger than I anticipated, and kept going strong until I made it past the bulbous tip. I was greeted by a wonderful blast of spiciness, maduro sweetness, and raisins. This thing is pumping out massive amounts of smoke that smelled strongly of wood and was sweet all at the same time. As I moved past the nipple tip and into the large ring gauge portion of the cigar, the flavors become very complex and hard to pinpoint. The strength and flavors had backed down to a more smooth medium, and I was picking up various tones ranging from leather, sweet tobacco, coffee, chocolates, and a strange buttermilk taste that I was absolutely loving. These flavors continued throughout the entire smoke, and I was slightly disappointed that the finish was so clean and short. Ah, well, I can't complain! Towards the last inch and a half I began picking up a charred hickory taste in the complex flavor array. Outstanding!
Overall Impression
This cigar was a true delight. I can see why these are so well sought after, and while I haven't had one from a more current release, if they all taste this good I am sold on snagging a box when possible. Jon, you, sir, rock for gifting me this treat. I enjoyed it so much, that I nubbed it to the max. I rarely let a cigar get this far down, but it stayed so cool and smooth that I couldn't help it. I never once experienced any kind of bitterness or harsh flavors, which I would be willing to bet is a result of the three years of down time. I can't say anything else, so I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
Size: 4 7/8 x 60 rg Perfecto
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Strength: Medium
This cigar is primarily found during the holiday season and around father's day, though it can be had at some retailers year round. It is of the Hemingway line, featuring the same filler/binder blend as the other vitolas, but is the maduro version and sports a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. I am a huge fan of broadleaf, I am fast finding it to be one of the most flavorful tobaccos and have been actively seeking out cigars that use this leaf in their blend. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to try the maduro of the Work of Art, and I owe a huge thanks to Jon (Souldoggy) for giving me the chance to have a nicely aged one from 2006.
Pre-Light
A beautifully constructed little perfecto that is wrapped in a very dark, rough, sandpaper like broadleaf maduro wrapper that is glistening with sweet smelling oils. The scent coming off of this thing was very, very powerful and reminded me of raisins and barnyard. I could already feel my mouth watering, but I took it slow and sat back to examine this wonderful cigar. The tiny nipple foot was tightly rolled, and was complimented by a head that was sharply tapered to a fine point. The cigar itself felt a bit heavy for its diminutive size, and was rock hard to the touch. I wasn't overly concerned by this, as the broadleaf wrapper is a fairly thick, tough wrapper and can be a bit misleading on the squeeze test. I clipped the cap at an angle in the same fashion that Greg uses, and found a spot on pre-light draw that tasted of raisins, much like the scent of the wrapper. I was picking up a delicious sweetness on the lips that I could not get enough of, and I was half tempted to just eat the dang cigar!
Burn & Draw
During the course of the smoke, the burn was what I could only describe as "lumpy" and required a good number of touch ups. I didn't mind in the least bit. The ash was rock hard and a nice light gray color that held on until I had to knock it off for are light. I purged a couple times to get the burn going strong, but never due to bitterness or harsh tastes.
Flavor Profile
The initial punch I expected from a perfecto shape was much stronger than I anticipated, and kept going strong until I made it past the bulbous tip. I was greeted by a wonderful blast of spiciness, maduro sweetness, and raisins. This thing is pumping out massive amounts of smoke that smelled strongly of wood and was sweet all at the same time. As I moved past the nipple tip and into the large ring gauge portion of the cigar, the flavors become very complex and hard to pinpoint. The strength and flavors had backed down to a more smooth medium, and I was picking up various tones ranging from leather, sweet tobacco, coffee, chocolates, and a strange buttermilk taste that I was absolutely loving. These flavors continued throughout the entire smoke, and I was slightly disappointed that the finish was so clean and short. Ah, well, I can't complain! Towards the last inch and a half I began picking up a charred hickory taste in the complex flavor array. Outstanding!
Overall Impression
This cigar was a true delight. I can see why these are so well sought after, and while I haven't had one from a more current release, if they all taste this good I am sold on snagging a box when possible. Jon, you, sir, rock for gifting me this treat. I enjoyed it so much, that I nubbed it to the max. I rarely let a cigar get this far down, but it stayed so cool and smooth that I couldn't help it. I never once experienced any kind of bitterness or harsh flavors, which I would be willing to bet is a result of the three years of down time. I can't say anything else, so I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
