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Review: AF 858 Sungrown

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This thread was created to set me free from not smoking my rare cigars. Thanks for all the comments in the other thread that I created, also thanks to Brooks who made this happen, a true BOTL.



This Fuente 858 Sungrown was gifted to me in a trade almost 3 years ago on cbid. I always wanted a 858 SG and but I never wanted to waste the occasion to smoke it. That special moment never came so this cigar sat in the humi in my special box of rare and super premium cigars.

For being a $4 cigar when it was made the construction on this cigar is top notch. After undressing the cigar from its bed time clothes, hahaha, I clipped the cap and took a test draw it was almost perfect.



I decided to go old school and light the cigar with matches. I need to correct myself, after lighting the cigar I found the draw is perfect. I half expected to taste the Fuente Cuban Belicoso SG but I was surprised to find no spice whatsoever. I could detect a slight sweetness, but the aroma of the cigar was amazing, I wish I could eat it up haha.



About and inch in the cigar started to pick up, I had a couple of drags that had some oomph to them. The next few returned me to the beginning. The profile reminds me of a King B except milder, when I exhale out my nose I detect no strength. The ash does not seem too strong, I placed the cigar in the ashtray and the ash fell about an inch in.



Into the 2nd third of the cigar and the flavors are building. No new flavors but the existing flavors are getting more intense. Still no strength through the nose. Lovely flavors though, I am enjoying this part of the cigar much more. Except the ash fell in my lap. :(



As i am starting the final 3rd of the cigar. Wow the flavors are getting stronger again. I get some strength through the nose. Its very tough for me to take my time with the smoke at this point because the smoked had finally hit its sweet spot. The profile is a little easier to identify now, a nice background of sweetness and woody tones, slightly toasty, tobacco flavor that feels crisp on my palate. The finish is not too dry or too long, it makes me salivate slightly.



Quick recap. Started off very mild and grew in strength and flavor right up to the nub. This cigar put off tons of smoke, just a small detail that is like icing on the cake for me. Needless to say I really enjoyed this cigar, not only the flavor or the burn but the fact that I can actually nub this cigar. I've been smoking a lot of new cigars and some of them are impossible to smoke past 1.5 left, nothing like a well aged cigar!

This experience also rekindled my love for Sungrown cigars, I've been smoking too many corojos lately haha. If I could change anything about this smoke is to have the 2nd third be the beginning of the cigar and let it grow from there. Total smoking time: 1 hour 45 mins.
 

SkinsFanLarry

Craft Beer Addict!
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Very nice review and pic's my brother, thanks for sharing your experience with your special cigar!
 

Soundwave13

BoM Feb 2010
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This is one I never thought I'd aquire... I don't know why, but I just 'dissmissed' it...
Now I have two. A new one from 25 & one from Hendy that is dated from 07. I am looking forward to trying it out & I really appreciate the review!

I'm not sure when I'll get to it... Maybe tomorrow evening on my ride to Philly... Maybe later in the month... I'm all ears for suggestions, pairings, etc...

:ninja:
 

hdroadglide

BoM x 2, BoY 2011
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the first one of these i had, i was not impressed with. i think it was probably young,at that time, and the hype had me ready to be blown away. i had one about a month ago that really blew me away. a fantastic stick. when original price is considered, this may be the best cigar, or at least top three, produced. i don't know of a $4-5 stick that could touch it. sure there are better cigars out there, but not for that money. if only you could buy them!!!!!!!!!
thanks for the review.
 
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