AF Exquisito Maduro Review

[Laynard]

7/18/2014

Cigar: Arturo Fuente Exquisito Maduro
Size: Cigarillo, 4.6”x30
MSRP: $2.50
Strength: Mild-Medium
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Origin: Dominican Republic

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/Laynard/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-07/0FF81546-CD29-4FAE-8F1C-385960C56B09.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Laynard/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-07/0FF81546-CD29-4FAE-8F1C-385960C56B09.jpg.html)

Prelight: This is a nicely constructed cigar with an unfinished, shaggy foot and a belicoso type head. The wrapper looks delicious and it’s been a while since I’ve had an Arturo Fuente cigar, so I’m excited about this little treat.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/Laynard/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-07/556C8D70-0B35-429F-B5CA-3D154C5A3B3D.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Laynard/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-07/556C8D70-0B35-429F-B5CA-3D154C5A3B3D.jpg.html)

1/2: The first half is woody and a little spicy, both in the pepper sense and baking spice sense. I am also picking up a hint of vanilla and it is delightful. The burn is straight and the ash is decent, but I’m not sure if it’s short-filler, so instead of wagering with a hole in my shirt or pants, I ash every ½” or so. Suddenly I notice that the mouth feel of the smoke is oily. The taste is a bit oily as well. Then I look and the little bugger is emitting tar from the head. I purge, wipe with a paper towel and start back up. It’s still predominantly woody in flavor.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/Laynard/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-07/9DF53AB9-1300-48E9-9915-74BB2A557AFF.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/Laynard/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-07/9DF53AB9-1300-48E9-9915-74BB2A557AFF.jpg.html)

2/2: The second half is…I couldn’t tell you. I had to chuck it. The tar just kept coming. It was disgusting. I was over the battle.

Overall: Before this, I said “I’ve never had an Arturo Fuente I didn’t like.” Well, now I have. I’ll give it one more try though, as I liked the flavors before it decided to do horrible things inside my mouth. I guess these things happen every now and then, so maybe I just got a dud. Someone please tell me there are good Exquisitos out there…

[Cardinal]

There are some good Exquisitos out there. I've smoked a few, and just grabbed another 5-er of the maduros a month or two back. No bad experiences here, yours unfortunately sounds like one of those random tar moments.

I think these are a great short smoke for the price.

[jhedrick83]

The only Exquisitos I had was a Maduro a buddy found at the bottom of his humidor, it had a couple years on it and I thought it was pretty good!

[MataFina]

I love the maduro exquisitos! Don't give up on them...I never used a punch on them though.

[Jordan23]

I've been curious about this stick. It might be a pass for me know.

Thanks for the review.

[penna stogey]

Big fan of the Hemingways....these on the radar....Thanks...PS

[mb1]

Smoked one of these tonight. It was fantastic. Best short smoke I've had. Wife loved it too (uh oh).

[Old Smokey]

Yeah, you had a dud. I have smoked several of these without ever a problem. The last one I smoked was a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it for what it was. It is a far cry from being what the best of Fuente offers, but for a quick $2 cigar they are good.

[T.E.Fox]

Another vote for a dud from me. Smoked a few of the naturals and the maduros before and while the natural was a bit flat for me, the maduros were quite tasty and never had any tar issues. Cheers for the review!