Cigar Reviews · Profile & review in progress
Arturo Fuente Hemingway Series
A Dominican line known for its perfecto shapes and Cameroon wrapper.
The Arturo Fuente Hemingway series is one of the most respected lines in premium cigars, and the cigar that brought the perfecto shape back from near extinction. Here's the background on the line ahead of our hosts' review. Cigars are for adults 21+, and we don't sell tobacco.
The Fuente family
Arturo Fuente, a Cuban immigrant, started making cigars in Ybor City, the historic cigar district of Tampa, Florida, in 1912. The family business survived fires, the Great Depression, and the U.S. embargo on Cuba. After stints in Nicaragua and elsewhere, Carlos Fuente Sr. and his son Carlos "Carlito" Fuente Jr. moved the company's premium production to the Dominican Republic in 1980, founding Tabacalera A. Fuente in Santiago. The company has since become one of the most admired names in the industry. Its Fuente Fuente OpusX, introduced in the mid-1990s, was notable for using Dominican-grown wrapper leaf, which many in the industry once considered impossible to produce there.
The Fuente family's premium cigars have been distributed by the J.C. Newman Cigar Company, another longtime Tampa cigar family, since 1990.
Origins of the Hemingway
The perfecto — a cigar tapered at both ends with a bulge in the middle — was popular in the early 20th century but had faded by mid-century, partly because few rollers still knew how to make it. According to the Fuente family's account, Carlos Fuente Sr. recovered old molds his father had stored in Ybor City, and Carlito persuaded him to revive the shape. Carlos Sr. had learned to roll these "fancy tail" cigars from his father and trained a master roller, who then trained others. The Hemingway was introduced in 1983, beginning with the Signature. Other sizes followed, including the Classic, Masterpiece, Short Story, Best Seller, and Work of Art.
The blend
- Wrapper: African Cameroon for the natural versions. Cameroon wrapper, descended from Sumatra seed, is thin and "toothy," with small oil bumps. Maduro versions of some sizes have also been made.
- Binder and filler: Dominican, sometimes called simply "the Hemingway blend."
- Strength: generally described by retailers and reviewers as medium.
- Commonly cited flavor notes: cedar, toast, nuts, light spice, and sweetness. (These are published descriptions, not our tasting notes.)
The shapes
The Hemingway line is defined by figurado shapes, which are among the most difficult to roll. The tapered foot lights quickly and can change how the flavor develops as the ring gauge widens. The Short Story, at about 4 inches long, has become especially popular as a shorter smoke. The Masterpiece, a 9¼-inch perfecto, is one of the rarest in the line, made in limited numbers because suitable Cameroon wrapper leaves large enough are scarce, according to the family.
What we'll evaluate
- Construction: roll quality, consistency, and how the perfecto shape holds up.
- Draw: ease and consistency from first light through the nub.
- Flavor: complexity, balance, and transitions.
- Pairing notes: what food and drink it complements.
Tips for smoking a perfecto
- Cut carefully. The tapered head needs a modest cut; start small and trim more if needed. See cut and light.
- Light gently. The narrow foot catches fast; don't overheat it.
- Pace yourself. Flavor often develops as you reach the wider part of the cigar.
Buying
Arturo Fuente cigars are sold through licensed tobacconists and age-verified retailers. Some sizes can be hard to find; Fuente releases are allocated. Beware of counterfeits, especially for the rarer Fuente lines. We don't sell tobacco and have no affiliate relationships.
Status
No ratings have been assigned. Scores will be added after the hosts have smoked these cigars.
Ratings
Ratings are editorial opinions and will be added once the hosts have spent time with this cigar. No scores have been assigned yet.
The verdict
Coming soon.
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