Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 4 & Lagavulin 16

Arturo Fuente Don Carlos No. 4 is a short belicoso featuring Dominican filler and binder with a toothy light sandpaper feeling brown Cameroon wrapper with a few visible veins and a slightly oily sheen. This is a beautiful looking cigar.

Oak, earth, leather, mild pepper and the signature Cameroon spicy notes Almonds, cocoa, vanilla and citrus zest notes kick in on occasion. By the final third, the oak has either transitioned to or melded with a cedary taste. Either way, wood is one of the continuous dominant flavors. The balance of flavors more than make up for a lack of complexity.

Construction on this little stick is exemplary. Perfect draw, solid smoke output, consistent even burn line, tight grey ash held on solidly.

I was impressed. This short cigar was rich and bold while staying in that medium strength range down to the nub. There were oh wow moments – lower case, but they were there.

I’ve taken issue with some Fuentes recently. Friends tell me when in doubt “go maduro.” I think Fuentes are at their best when they get it right with so-called “natural” wrappers.

The cigar paired very well with a dram of Lagavulin 16. Nick Offerman graciously welcomed Don Carlos to the House of Lagavulin. Give the Fuente Don Carlos No. 4 5s across the board.

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