I have been smoking cigars for over 10 years now and this is my second review. I smoke all brands, strengths, and sizes so; I do not have a regular rotation. Take this review/my experience lightly. I am by no means as educated and dedicated to cigars as many of you on this forum.
Cigar: Fuente Between The Lines (BTL)
Purchased: December 2003
Price: Around $12.50
Drink: Evan Williams Single Barrel cut with water
Location: backyard/deck
Temperature: 74 F
I was passing time watching the sprinkler system run, ensuring all heads were working properly and decide to enjoy a smoke. I selected one of the few BTL’s that I have been saving. I used to be too scared to smoke the rarer stuff for fear I’d never get them again, or maybe I thought it was a status thing. Life is short and it’s only a cigar, so these days anything in the humidor is fair game. I have smoked around a dozen of these in the past 5 years, so I was somewhat familiar with what to expect.
Pre Light/Light
I have kept this cigar in the cello since it was originally purchased. It seemed to have flawless construction. It had perfect lines on the different wrappers flowing around the cigar. For those of you that have not had the opportunity to see one of these in person they are a smaller cigar similar to the Work of Art in shape and size.
I used a cutter and made a straight slice on the tip. I took a predraw prior to lighting and really didn’t get much taste. I used a cedar match to light the perfecto end. My initial reaction was, this is going to run as the cigar began burning.
First Third
The first draw was almost flavorless. I took another and tasted a subtle tobacco taste. I took my time with slow draws, slightly twisting the cigar to help the burn. While doing so I took notice to how smooth and flawless the wrapper appeared. The burn evened out and smoked “felt” creamy as I puffed. The taste remained very faint. I was thinking it had to do with my drink of choice.
Second Third
The cigar was starting to open up now. Smoke freely flowing from it with each puff. Taste slowly becoming more prominent but defiantly not complex. However, the consistency of the volume of smoke made it enjoyable. Flavor was still very weak. The burn remained nice and even. Note: It looks a little funny smoking one of these. A small barber pole striped little cigar is not exactly the most masculine cigar of choice.
Final Stretch
The cigar had reached its full potential by this point. The ash was still intact but appeared loose like it could drop at any moment. The tobacco taste that was mentioned earlier was the only flavor I could distinguish. The cigar was mild to medium in body. As I took the cigar and examined it the ash finally fell off. I continued smoking until it was too warm to hold.
Final Thoughts
I’m not great with flavors but the cigar remained fairly consistent with a light tobacco taste through out. The cigar construction and burn were close to flawless. I think the price is due to the labor it must cost to roll these. It was a pretty one dimensional smoke. Would I buy them again……..Yes, but only a few at a time for retail cost or closely to it. Even if I had the opportunity to introduce these into a regular rotation they just lack the complexity that I enjoy. This cigar is almost more fun to talk about and see instead of smoke. Id be interested in others opinions on the BTL. Please comment.
Sorry for rambling and thanks for reading.
Cigar: Fuente Between The Lines (BTL)
Purchased: December 2003
Price: Around $12.50
Drink: Evan Williams Single Barrel cut with water
Location: backyard/deck
Temperature: 74 F
I was passing time watching the sprinkler system run, ensuring all heads were working properly and decide to enjoy a smoke. I selected one of the few BTL’s that I have been saving. I used to be too scared to smoke the rarer stuff for fear I’d never get them again, or maybe I thought it was a status thing. Life is short and it’s only a cigar, so these days anything in the humidor is fair game. I have smoked around a dozen of these in the past 5 years, so I was somewhat familiar with what to expect.
Pre Light/Light
I have kept this cigar in the cello since it was originally purchased. It seemed to have flawless construction. It had perfect lines on the different wrappers flowing around the cigar. For those of you that have not had the opportunity to see one of these in person they are a smaller cigar similar to the Work of Art in shape and size.
I used a cutter and made a straight slice on the tip. I took a predraw prior to lighting and really didn’t get much taste. I used a cedar match to light the perfecto end. My initial reaction was, this is going to run as the cigar began burning.
First Third
The first draw was almost flavorless. I took another and tasted a subtle tobacco taste. I took my time with slow draws, slightly twisting the cigar to help the burn. While doing so I took notice to how smooth and flawless the wrapper appeared. The burn evened out and smoked “felt” creamy as I puffed. The taste remained very faint. I was thinking it had to do with my drink of choice.
Second Third
The cigar was starting to open up now. Smoke freely flowing from it with each puff. Taste slowly becoming more prominent but defiantly not complex. However, the consistency of the volume of smoke made it enjoyable. Flavor was still very weak. The burn remained nice and even. Note: It looks a little funny smoking one of these. A small barber pole striped little cigar is not exactly the most masculine cigar of choice.
Final Stretch
The cigar had reached its full potential by this point. The ash was still intact but appeared loose like it could drop at any moment. The tobacco taste that was mentioned earlier was the only flavor I could distinguish. The cigar was mild to medium in body. As I took the cigar and examined it the ash finally fell off. I continued smoking until it was too warm to hold.
Final Thoughts
I’m not great with flavors but the cigar remained fairly consistent with a light tobacco taste through out. The cigar construction and burn were close to flawless. I think the price is due to the labor it must cost to roll these. It was a pretty one dimensional smoke. Would I buy them again……..Yes, but only a few at a time for retail cost or closely to it. Even if I had the opportunity to introduce these into a regular rotation they just lack the complexity that I enjoy. This cigar is almost more fun to talk about and see instead of smoke. Id be interested in others opinions on the BTL. Please comment.
Sorry for rambling and thanks for reading.
