Archive for June, 2009

Arturo Fuente Curly Head Cigar Review

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Rainy day Mondays always get me down, sounds like a song I used to sing, but that is the way I would describe last Monday. Cold, damp, and untypical for our Missouri summer weather but that is what greeted me when I stepped out on the patio to test drive an old friend, the Arturo Fuente Curly Head.

Arturo Fuente Maduro Curly Head-Single

The funny name and the plain packaging are a couple of the reasons I picked them up at TopHat Tobacco a while ago. Plus I was doing a little of my own research into finding and reviewing good/great smokes for under $4.00 a stick.  The packaging is a clear cellophane wrapper with the words A. Fuente in white script, nice and simple. The cigar is 6 1/2″ long, a ring gauge of 43, and surprisingly has no cigar ring. Darn! I would love to see the cigar ring art for a stick named Curly Head.

The natural wrapper was tan, very firm, with a few veins, a crinkly texture and a moderate tobacco aroma. The cap had an ever so slight taper or tip to it so I used my cutter on it. Before I lit it up I noticed the foot was so loose it actually allowed flecks of tobacco to fall out!

The Arturo Fuente Curly Head lit easily and had a sweet smell on the startup. Even though it appeared to be packed loosely, the stick burned evenly, required no touch ups and had a good draw, start to finish.  Better than I can say for a lot of more expensive smokes!

The smoke volume was moderate and I managed quite a few smoke rings during this smoke session. The ash was sturdy enough for the test and not drop off unexpectedly.

My initial draws on this stick really surprised me, it presented a sweet straw-like quality and a hint of vanilla for my palate to enjoy. In the back of my mind I’m thinking, this won’t last, not for $3.49 a stick, it’s too good to be true! This wonderful mild flavor lasted for about 2/3’s of the stick and then for its finale, the Curly Head Cigars, finished the last 1/3 with a peppery bite.  Nice!

This oddly named cigar, with its simplistic presentation, was making some very good impressions as I smoked it to the end. The flavor, price and presentation makes the Arturo Fuente Curly Head a good value and would make a great addition to your humidor as an everyday smoke.

Written by Eric
Cigar Reviews and Related Topics

www.tophatcigar.com

Do Cigars Pose a Health Concern, Really?

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Any discussion of cigars and health risks must start with the statement that cigars, made up of rolled tobacco leaves, are a much different product than cigarettes, in which the tobacco is chopped, treated and packaged by machines inside paper wrappers. The health impacts of cigarettes are well documented and cigars, while posing a substantially smaller health risk, can also cause problems if abused.

In specific, it is critical (1) not to inhale and (2) to control how much time a cigar spends in the smoker’s mouth. The less time, the better!

Most commentators on cigars urge smokers to enjoy cigars as they would a fine wine or spirit: sip it to enjoy the flavor, but refrain from guzzling! Smoke slowly and keep the cigar away from your lips when you are not actually drawing on it (no respectable smoker ever takes a “hit” on a cigar). This will increase your enjoyment of the flavor and aroma and reduce the chance of turning your cigar into chewing tobacco (a la the ’70s TV cop Barretta, played by Tony Blake), the source of most health problems for cigar smokers. Puff, don’t chew!

Written by Eric
Cigar Reviews and Related Topics

www.tophatcigar.com

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