Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva Sun Grown

The Arturo Fuente Sungrown cigars come wrapped in a very fragrant cedar sleeve and finished with the Chateau Series badge of honor, the black ribbon. Oils seem to ooze from the dark, gorgeous sungrown wrapper leaf, well marbled and road-mapped with dark veins throughout. The pre-light aroma is distinctly raw cedar, no doubt from aging under the cedar sleeve since their birth at Tabaclera Fuente. Of course, the draw is on-point and easy, and at first light this piece of tobacco artwork slathers the palate with a warm greeting of cedar and oak. Soon, the crisp, grassy flavors evolve and bring about hints of herbs and very strong spice. Carlos Fuente Jr. has a trademark, almost customary sweetness that is a mainstay in just about all of his blends, and this one is no different. Although not quite as sugary-sweet as his other premium blends, the Sungrown keeps that hint of lingering honey-like sweetness on the tip of the tongue, just enough to bring the whole package together. Very strong floral notes when exhaled through the nose and a continual presence of cedar remain throughout the smoke. This cigar has a very clean finish for being so heavy.

Overall, the Arturo Fuente Sungrown is quite a pleasurable and enjoyable smoke. It is very full-bodied, so by no means is it a beginner's stick, but for any intermediate to experienced aficionado, this one is most definitely one to try. Most Fuente fanatics call this cigar a cheaper alternative to the Opus X because of the smooth, spicy attributes it carries with it. Perhaps a wonderful evening cigar, the Fuente Sungrown pairs great with cappuccino or even a solid bourbon. Fans of this cigar might also find pleasure in the Ashton VSG or the Oliva Serie V, both cigars of comparable flavor profiles under the sungrown category. For the price, the Arturo Fuente Sungrown is tough to beat.