Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Belicoso Review

The Don Carlos brand was created by Carlos Fuente Jr. as an homage to his father Don Carlos Senior. I’ve been smoking these cigars since I began smoking 20+ years ago and I’m always impressed with the quality the Fuentes put forth. I appreciate the flavor from the Cameroon wrapper they use and the medium bodied Dominican filler. Revisiting the Don Carlos Belicoso, I was once again satisfied.

Here’s what the Arturo Fuente website has to say about the Don Carlos blend:

To create this masterpiece, Carlos Fuente, Sr. blended together rare, vintage tobaccos that were hand selected and aged as much as 10 years. These cigars are rich and flavorful, with flawless African Cameroon wrappers, making them as appealing to the eye as they are to the palette. Because of the select tobacco required, these cigars are released in limited quantities and are among the finest cigars rolled at Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic. In every way possible, Carlos Fuente, Sr. strives to attain the ultimate in rich flavor, flawless wrapper color and superior construction in every cigar that bears his name.

Blend Specifics

• Cigar Reviewed: Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Belicoso
• Wrapper: Cameroon
• Binder: Dominican Republic
• Filler: Dominican Republic
• Size: 5” 3/8 x 52 Belicoso

Appearance and construction

A chocolate covered wrapper expertly rolled with a choice amount of tobacco inside. The wrapper is delicate and toothy which is indicative of Cameroon wrappers as they can be temperamental and require gentle handling. I love the evolution of the band with the more pronounced gold and red that gives it an updated revitalized look.

Flavor and Smoke Characteristics

The first puff accentuates the sweetness of the Cameroon wrapper to an almost candied like finish. On the retrohale lots of cocoa and toast. The medium body is quite pleasant with a creaminess coming through and some wood adding to the flavor. The quality of the tobacco is excellent noting the expertise in the Fuente’s fermentation process.

The second half is where pencil lead and wheat comes through with a slight nuttiness on the finish. The toasty character develops which is rounded out by more cocoa on the retrohale. Dried raisin and wheat interplay as the cigar continues. Additionally some Earl Grey tea is detected with an earthy component.  There are some fine complexities to this medium to full bodied smoke.

On the final third a zippy hit of pepper shoots through that resonates on the palate. Dried fruits and cherry wood build up as the smoke progresses. The cigar got a bit leathery on the finish which came about as the smoke was reaching the end. The medium to full range stays constant throughout the entire smoking experience.

Conclusion

Having smoked the Don Carlos line since I began enjoying cigars I can say they never disappoint and this experience was no exception. With this line being a nod to the taste and style of Don Carlos Senior I can see what the mans palate honed in on. This cigar delivers a medium profile that offers nuances you need to take your time and focus on to truly appreciate it. The old master took his time to create many fantastic blends with his son when he was alive and this line is a wonderful tribute. If you have not had the pleasure of smoking one you need to pick one up and see what a legacy tastes like.