Pre '00 AF Don Carlos #3

yourchoice · 01-28-2013, 10:45 PM

Quite a while ago, a BOTL from another board (QBear (Bob)) sent me this well aged stick suggesting a review of it. Well it took me a while to get around to smoking it, but smoke it I did.

As you can see from the first photo, this thing shows its age with very yellow cello. The wrapper is in amazingly great shape considering it is 12+ years old and had been in my singles portion of my humidor for a long while. Of course, keeping it in its cello helped.

I clipped it with my Palio and tested the draw. Perfect. Not any prevalent predraw flavors. I poured a bit of Rhum Barbancourt 8 yr to accompany the cigar.

First Third: Burn is impeccable. The predominant flavor I pick up is graham cracker. Very pleasant aroma, great flavor and perfect construction. So far I am impressed.

Second Third: Construction wise still drawing great, but a wrapper tear develops. Since I've had it it has been properly maintained, and I'm sure it was by Bob before me. During the winter this happens to me occasionally and I am pretty confident the relatively dryer air is the culprit. The tear has no effect on the flavor, still picking up graham cracker, and notice flavors I think are similar, ginger bread and molasses.

Third Third: As worrisome as the wrapper tear was, it never got worse and the cigar recovered nicely. The flavors described above are still there but now am picking up a bit of nuttiness (walnuts?) and a pleasant earthy/fungal flavor, like a mushroom. And at the very end, a toasted vanilla was noticed.

My thanks go out to Bob for the opportunity to smoke such a great cigar. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Sorry for the size of the pictures...first time posting photos from my iPad (Christmas present from my wife

)

AdamJoshua · 01-29-2013, 12:31 AM

Great review thanks!

(smoking out in the garage in winter (?) couldn't have helped either)

yourchoice · 01-29-2013, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamJoshua

(smoking out in the garage in winter (?) couldn't have helped either)

No doubt...but warmer there than outside!

Weelok · 01-29-2013, 12:43 AM

Sounds like a Don Carlos to me. Great cigars.

yourchoice · 01-29-2013, 09:45 AM

I really screwed up the cigar's size. It was actually a Presidente.

Not a huge deal, but if a Mod can change the title of the first post, I'd appreciate it.

TJtorpedo · 01-29-2013, 07:27 PM

Wow what a great aged smoke. Thanks for sharing.

grateful1 · 01-29-2013, 09:00 PM

Great review.

I've only a few older (that vinitage) Fuente's ...and all have been very nice cigars!

01-28-2013, 10:45 PM	#1
yourchoice Down the stretch Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Joel Location: South Jersey Posts: 4,091 Trading: (36)	Pre '00 AF Don Carlos #3 Quite a while ago, a BOTL from another board (QBear (Bob)) sent me this well aged stick suggesting a review of it. Well it took me a while to get around to smoking it, but smoke it I did. As you can see from the first photo, this thing shows its age with very yellow cello. The wrapper is in amazingly great shape considering it is 12+ years old and had been in my singles portion of my humidor for a long while. Of course, keeping it in its cello helped. I clipped it with my Palio and tested the draw. Perfect. Not any prevalent predraw flavors. I poured a bit of Rhum Barbancourt 8 yr to accompany the cigar. First Third: Burn is impeccable. The predominant flavor I pick up is graham cracker. Very pleasant aroma, great flavor and perfect construction. So far I am impressed. Second Third: Construction wise still drawing great, but a wrapper tear develops. Since I've had it it has been properly maintained, and I'm sure it was by Bob before me. During the winter this happens to me occasionally and I am pretty confident the relatively dryer air is the culprit. The tear has no effect on the flavor, still picking up graham cracker, and notice flavors I think are similar, ginger bread and molasses. Third Third: As worrisome as the wrapper tear was, it never got worse and the cigar recovered nicely. The flavors described above are still there but now am picking up a bit of nuttiness (walnuts?) and a pleasant earthy/fungal flavor, like a mushroom. And at the very end, a toasted vanilla was noticed. My thanks go out to Bob for the opportunity to smoke such a great cigar. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Sorry for the size of the pictures...first time posting photos from my iPad (Christmas present from my wife )

01-29-2013, 12:31 AM	#2
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: Pre '00 AF Don Carlos #3 Great review thanks! (smoking out in the garage in winter (?) couldn't have helped either)

01-29-2013, 12:43 AM	#4
Weelok I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Jul 2011 First Name: Dave Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,085 Trading: (21)	Re: Pre '00 AF Don Carlos #3 Sounds like a Don Carlos to me. Great cigars.

01-29-2013, 09:45 AM	#5
yourchoice Down the stretch Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Joel Location: South Jersey Posts: 4,091 Trading: (36)	Re: Pre '00 AF Don Carlos Presidente I really screwed up the cigar's size. It was actually a Presidente. Not a huge deal, but if a Mod can change the title of the first post, I'd appreciate it.

01-29-2013, 07:27 PM	#6
TJtorpedo Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2012 First Name: Tim Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 600 Trading: (4)	Re: Pre '00 AF Don Carlos #3 Wow what a great aged smoke. Thanks for sharing. __________________

01-29-2013, 09:00 PM	#7
grateful1 testing Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gary Posts: 44 Trading: (0)	Re: Pre '00 AF Don Carlos #3 Great review. I've only a few older (that vinitage) Fuente's ...and all have been very nice cigars!