Switching it up a bit this week, I’m filling in the Friday review spot and bringing you my review of the Arturo Fuente Hemingway Classic maduro (7×48). This is Fuente’s Hemingway blend with a Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper. Similar to the Anejo, the Hemingway with a maduro wrapper is released around Christmas time and occasionally again near Father’s Day.

The dark wrapper was very appealing, with no soft spots to be found on close examination. The head cut very cleanly revealing an easy draw, especially easy considering the length of this cigar and the small opening in the perfecto foot. The initial draws after lighting produced a mild creamy smoke with hints of cocoa. Similar to other Fuentes with a maduro wrapper, this cigar leaves a slight sweetness on the lips that is very pleasant, well it is to me anyway. 🙂

The burn progressed up the foot to the shoulder at an even pace, with the burn line reaching that spot at the same time all the way around. I continue to be amazed at the ability of a torcedor to roll a cigar with this shape and end up with a product that burns so evenly. The firm ash left behind is light gray, almost white, with darker gray spots as well as dark lines where the visible veins were. The smoke output increased, and the draw opened up ever so slightly, as the burn got past the foot and I picked up hints of sweet vanilla occasionally through the rest of the first third.

I really like the way the stronger maduro wrapper combines with the milder Hemingway blend in the filler, it makes for some complex flavors as the two alternate shining through. The flavors stayed very consistent until near the half-way mark when I began to get some muted spice. It was more like the almost sweet spiciness of a clove rather than the black pepper kick I get from say a Pepin. It wasn’t until that half-way mark that the ash fell for the second time in a solid chunk, again impressive for a seven inch long cigar.

The body did build a little but never reached more than a medium. As much as I enjoy these, it’s not the type of cigar to try and enjoy at the end of a multi cigar day. The mellow clove spiciness replaced the sweeter vanilla and cocoa flavors corresponding with the slight increase in body. The burn stayed even and never required a touch up through the entire cigar, leaving behind near two inch chunks of ash. I tapped the ash off for fear of dropping it in my lap, but had to tap it twice to get the ash to fall each time. I should have gone for a longer ash but I didn’t want it to end up in my lap.

I’ve been really busy lately, and the weather has been really crummy around here for several weeks now so I haven’t been smoking that many cigars. When the opportunity presented itself for a couple of hours of quite smoking time I could resist pulling this out of the humidor. At an MSRP of $7.25 I feel the Classic maduro is fairly priced, I only wish the maduro version were available a little more regularly. But who knows, maybe that chase required to get them is part of why I enjoy them so much.

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