Hello cigar enthusiast! cigar of the month club is back with another review of cigar brands we work with, this time, we will talk a little about Arturo Fuente Cigars. My Cigar Pack shares its goal of being the best cigar club with several manufacturers, including Arturo Fuente, so you will have access to the best Arturo Fuente cigars.

One hundred years of hard work and dedication are the result of a tradition of excellence in the cigar industry. Setting a global benchmark for many brands in the market, a persistent family with humble beginnings paved their way through core values and product innovation. Four generations strong and family operated in the Dominican Republic, the passion continues for the Fuente family as strong as ever.

This partnership magnifies the commitment My Cigar Pack has to their customers, blocking no bridges when it comes to availing cigars known for their distinct flavors and impeccable craftsmanship. In other words, we stop at nothing to get you nothing but the best. 

Arturo Fuente Cigars - Birth and Development

Arturo Fuente, originally from Güines, Cuba, migrated to the United States in 1888 after the Spanish-American War, at only 12 years old. He settled in Tampa, Florida and noticed a demand for freshly hand-rolled cigars. To cater to this demand, he started importing Cuban tobacco and hand-rolled the cigars himself. The superior quality and appeal of his cigars quickly gained popularity, leading Fuente to expand his business. In 1912, he established his famous A. Fuente & Co. factory, spanning three stories.

In a region known for its array of approximately 200 cigar enterprises, the Fuente brand had gained remarkable popularity due to its unique offering. By the year 1924, its workforce had grown to 500 members. However, that same year, it faced a devastating blow – a catastrophic fire burned down the facility, which consequently led to Arturo having to cease operations.

The obstacles of the Great Depression and World War II meant that Fuente wasn't able to reignite production until 1946. By this time, Arturo had started a family and brought his two sons onboard the family business. One of these sons, Carlos, not only lent a hand with janitorial duties after business hours, but he and his wife also toiled as bakers during the day to keep the home fires burning. Yet, it would be Carlos who would eventually elevate the Fuente brand to a level that surpassed all expectations.

In the past, Fuente was rooted in Tampa, crafting its cigars from Cuban tobacco. However, a pivotal shift in the 1960s would propel this enterprise to new heights of success.

In 1958, Carlos Fuente Sr. took control of A. Fuente & Co. from his father with a symbolic transaction of one dollar. Carlos harbored a grand vision of expanding the Fuente tent footprint across the nation. Yet, a significant hurdle laid ahead-- the implementation of the Cuban embargo caused a drastic cutoff to the company's primary tobacco supply. Carlos was faced with a pressing question: where would he source his tobacco now?

Carlos embarked on a journey, trying numerous tobacco blends from various corners of the globe. Whether it was the tobacco from Puerto Rico, Colombia, or homegrown leaves from America, none managed to match his high expectations. 

Given the rise in labor expenses within America, the entire Fuente operation decided to shift gears towards Nicaragua. It was in the 1970s that Carlos established his factory in Estelí, a region now renowned as a leading hub for cigar manufacturing.

Tragedy struck the Fuente family once more in 1979 due to the Nicaraguan Revolution, causing the Fuente factory to be ravaged by flames. However, resilience ran deep in Carlos and his son, Carlito, who were determined to salvage their firm. In 1980, they relocated their operations to Santiago in the Dominican Republic. The newly christened Tabacalera A. Fuente had at long last found its ultimate home.

Arturo Fuente Cigars enjoyed a wave of newfound popularity in the Dominican Republic, thanks to the introduction of the Hemingway line in the 1980s. This medium-bodied range marked a new era for the Fuente family's enterprise. However, the true turning point came in the early 1990s. Carlos, together with his son and partner Carlito, launched the first full-bodied Dominican puro, a cigar that would go on to redefine the industry.

Immerse yourself in the unparalleled world of the Fuente Fuente Opus X. This distinguished cigar is entirely cultivated from Dominican tobacco, including its exclusive wrapper leaf harvested solely at Chateau Fuente—the illustrious family estate. A brilliant testament to a hundred years of unwavering diligence and persistence, Opus X is heralded by connoisseurs as among the finest cigars ever manufactured. Its outstanding quality has earned it a spot on Cigar Aficionado.

What Are the Best Arturo Fuente Cigars?

Among the best Arturo Fuente cigars, we can highlight the following:

• Arturo Fuente Hemingway

Named after the cigar-smoking, celebrated American novelist Ernest Hemingway, the Arturo Fuente Hemingway line features medium-bodied cigars and was the brands first ever limited release. The blend is comprised of a Cameroon wrapper, which is then draped over a Dominican binder and fillers. The Hemingway line is smooth and offers up notes of pepper, spice, and cedar from the very first puff.

Arturo Fuente gives us a cigar loaded with aromas and special flavors that any fan has the obligation to try at least once in their life, and which we are sure will have a specific place in their humidor.

• Arturo Fuente Don Carlos

The Don Carlos cigar, of Dominican origin, is undoubtedly an industry favorite, it is one of the most successful cigars that has ever existed.

As a tribute to Carlos Fuente Sr. by his son, Carlitos Fuente Jr., the Don Carlos is a recreation of Carlos Fuente Sr.s preferred blend dressed lavishly in an authentic wrapper from Cameroon and blended with pure aged Dominican tobaccos, a series of sweet notes of caramel and toasted sugar balance an evolution of predominant flavors of walnut, earth and pepper.

As for the aromas, we have unique and pleasant notes after light, ranging from dark chocolate, cinnamon and nutmeg.

• Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente Royal Salute Sungrown

As many Arturo Fuente Cigars, this one owns quite a few accolades and plaques among multiple Top 25 by Cigar Aficionado awards. A striking cigar standing at almost 8 inches in length, provides an outstanding balance and consistent rich flavor output throughout the multiple hours it exudes its elegant smoke. 

Characterized by distinctive rich tobacco notes complimented by many sweet flavors resembling honey, vanilla, and something close to a caramel latte, the Royal Salute is an extremely enjoyable cigar particularly appropriate for those who have the time to burn.

• Arturo Fuente Casa Cuba

The Casa Cuba line was the last blend created by Carlos Fuente Sr. before his death, and which sought to recall the time when the Fuente family made their cigars on the porch of their house in Tampa with Cuban tobacco.

Among its main characteristics, we have a pleasant softness to the touch, despite presenting certain veins and an amount of oil that is found throughout the cigar. As for the aroma, notes of dark chocolate, cedar and some citrus flavors predominate at first, and then cedar, hay, pepper and slightly floral and raisin notes take prominence. It provides similar earthy flavors with controlled levels of spice and sweetness.

• Arturo Fuente Rosado Sun Grown Magnum R 56

In 2009 Arturo Fuente Rosado Sun Grown Magnum R 56 was launched on the market.

It is a medium-bodied cigar. The blend features an exclusive Ecuadorian Sungrown Habano wrapper that has been aged between 8 and 10 years, a special blend of Dominican fillers, and a Dominican binder. This cigar has an unstoppable wave of flavors that range from nuts to cedar and leather, as well as some dried fruit and maple to balance out the smoke.

The Magnum R is a cigar that captivates fans with smoothness and creaminess, without affecting the flavor of the cigar, since it has sweet notes with touches of elegance and complexity that will make it worthy of becoming a classic cigar from Casa Fuente.

• Arturo Fuente Casa Fuente

Arturo Fuente Casa Fuente stands as a unique cigar, exclusively crafted for the personalized Casa Fuente lounge situated in Las Vegas, owned by the Fuente family themselves. Mirroring its rarity, these Casa Fuente cigars are occasionally available at exclusive Fuente cigar events.

Arturo Fuente Cigars, a renowned cigar brand, selects only the most mature Cameroon wrappers from their collection to craft the Casa Fuente blend. Underneath these fine wrappers rests an exclusive mix of superior Dominican tobaccos. This blend offers a luxurious experience of rich, creamy cedar, alongside hints of cinnamon, black pepper, and cocoa, culminating in a uniquely satisfying aftertaste.

• Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente

Any premium smokeshop wouldn't be complete without the essential product - the beloved cigar blend from Arturo Fuente. These unique, handcrafted cigars come in a variety of formats, often wrapped in thicker ring gauges than the standard Arturo Fuente offering. You'll find three distinct wrapper types on these exquisite cigars: the Natural boasting a Connecticut Shade wrapper, the Maduro wrapped in Connecticut Broadleaf, and the Sun Grown featuring an Ecuador wrapper. 

What sets the Chateau Series apart is its cedar wrapping, promising an elevated aging process and enhanced flavor profile. A treat for any cigar aficionado!

Chateau, with its Natural wrapper, offers a creamy and nutty flavor profile that blends harmoniously with hints of almond and vanilla. This particular blend is a top-notch choice for enjoying on the golf course. In contrast, the Chateau Maduro piques the senses with sweet, woody touches. Chateau Sun Grown stands out with its blend of cedar and cocoa notes, rounding off with a medium-bodied finish. Among the best-sellers, you'll find sizes like the Chateau Fuente (4.5 x 50), Double Chateau Fuente (6.75 x 50), and Cuban Belicoso (5.75 x 52). Plus, the Chateau Fuente offers impressive value, with prices ranging from  just $5.70 to $8.30 per cigar.

• Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva

The renowned Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva is a product of careful craftsmanship. These handmade cigars come in an assortment of traditional Cuban shapes, wrapped in either Natural or Maduro varietals. Some of the well-loved sizes such as the symbolic Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 also come appreciated in a Sun Grown wrapper leaf from Ecuador, known for its oily complexion. 

The Natural version of these cigars is meticulously rolled in a Cameroon leaf while the Maduro varietal is enwrapped in a distinguished dark brown Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The inner brilliance of these cigars lies in their unique compilation of signature Fuente binder and filler tobaccos, all harvested from the fertile lands of the Dominican Republic.

Highlighting a magnificent mix of flavors, the Natural blend captivates the palate with hints of cinnamon, coffee beans, and warm baking spices. The Maduro, on the other hand, dapples its taste ensemble with shades of dark cocoa and molasses, presenting a unique, robust flavor profile. Not to be left behind, the Sun Grown wrapper stands out with its intensified notes of leather, licorice, and black pepper. Collectively, these three blends deliver a diverse spectrum of distinctive Dominican tastes, offering unrivaled value.

• Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Shark

The precise composition of the Eye of the Shark remains shrouded in mystery. This exquisite cigar, however, is rolled meticulously utilizing a robust Cameroon wrapper leaf intertwined with a sublime mix of Dominican binder and filler tobaccos, all perfectly aged. Savour luscious tones of almonds, chestnuts, along with hints of leather and cedar. These harmoniously blend to create a balanced, exceptional aroma. 

• Fuente Fuente Opus X

For many years, the Fuente Fuente Opus X has been the crowning glory of Carlito Fuente's expansive cigar collection. Launched amid immense expectation in 1995, this brand proved all doubters wrong who believed that growing a top-quality wrapper in the Dominican Republic was next to impossible for Carlito. Creation of the Fuente Fuente Opus X required many years of relentless experimentation and trials. These highly sought-after cigars are crafted using an exclusive blend of premium aged binder and filler tobaccos, complemented by an exquisite Dominican wrapper grown in the now-renowned Chateau de la Fuente estates.

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