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Arturo Fuente Work of Art Maduro

danthebugman

BoM Nov '10
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Size: 4 7/8 x 46/56
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Price: $8-10

Intro: Today was an absolutely beautiful day, 70+ degrees and sunny. So this afternoon I decided to take our rehab turtles out for some sun and exercise. Also a perfect time for a smoke. Reaching in the humidor I came up with a Arturo Fuente Work of Art Maduro (WOAM). Seems I've been on a Fuente kick lately. Nothin' wrong with that though. The WOAM is a limited cigar, making appearances a few times a year. I managed to find a few left in a box at a my local B&M here several months ago and I quickly snagged 'em.

Prelight: Visually this cigar is a stunner. Dark chocolate wrapper with minimal veins and an oily sheen to it. The red and gold Fuente band standings out against the dark wrapper. The perfecto shape sets it apart as something different and interesting. There is a sweet tobacco aroma, almost a touch of floral to it. The cap cut cleanly with a swift snap of the Palio. Draw was easy with a touch of resistance and tasted of rich tobacco. Put flame to the nipple foot and in short order this cigar was roaring to life...



First Third: Initial flavors are a rich tobacco with some sweetness to it and a fleeting spice (nutmeg/cinnamon combination :dunno:) on the retro-hale. This was joined in short order by a faint coffee note. The burn started off straight, but needed a few touch ups as it progressed around the "hump". Seemed like the wrapper had a hard time catching up to the rest of the cigar. Once around the widest part though, things worked themselves out. The burn remained straight, but at a slant the rest of the time.



Second Third: The second third saw the coffee flavor become the dominant flavor while the spice from the first third took on a fleeting presence at best. Also picked up some hints of what I would call walnut and a few hints of a dark fruity note (maybe a prune or cherry, it was very fleeting so not for sure). The ash was holding in 3/4 to 1 inch clumps and the burn was having no issues.



Last Third: In the final third the spice came back to be on equal ground with the coffee. The walnut note faded to the background, but was still present. The draw felt a little looser in this last part and I think the cigar was burning a little hotter, which forced me to slow down some. But I didn't get any off flavors at all.

Final Thoughts: Fantastic cigar. If and when you see them, don't hesitate to pick some up. If it comes down to it that you don't like them (which I doubt), you can always trade them for something you're looking for.

And I can't resist sharing a few pics of the turtles enjoying their afternoon...







Dan
 

SuprHasan

I'm finished with cigars
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One of my favorite smokes. Thanks for the write up!!
BTW, I think I see a turtle neck sticking out there :laugh:
 

javajunkie

BoM July '12
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FWIW, that was probably at least 6 months to a year old. i know the WOAM that flew for the holidays had the shiny new gold-bordered bands.

and, before you freak, that was NOT a threat, just a trivia point. o)
 
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Nice review Buggy, as usual. WOAM is probably on my top ten list, and I get pretty much the same flavor notes as you. I'd say I start with the same slightly wonky burn about half the time, but it almost always self corrects.
 
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