Arturo Fuente Don Carlos - Eye of the Shark Cigar - 1 Single

So I am back to report on my findings further to my initial review back in September 2020 and I am happy to report that my second tasting was considerably better than my first. I can fully appreciate and understanding why this cigar is held in high esteem. The draw was superb with a slight resistance off a straight cut and it absolutely hit the ground running. It started with a deep liquorice almost gingerbread flavour which was delicious. I smoked it out in the garden with temperatures between 23-25 and it definitely performed better in these conditions. Lots of smoke, mild to medium throughout and the construction/burn was extraordinary as I didnt have to re light it at any time! Honestly it was a delight and I am so relieved considering I had bought a bunch of singles plus a box. Based on todays performance and whilst it was a 92/93 point cigar I do feel that it has more to show so I am very confident that the others I have will improve over time which is an exciting prospect. Ill be diving back in now and again especially with the Euros on the horizon.

This is a great cigar to look at and to hold, really unique. It had excellent construction, with a good draw, once you cut it open enough, a good burn and a strong ash. Flavours and strength were not as bold as I was expecting from something called a Shark, nice notes of sweet earth and cedar but no citrus as advertised, yet still I found it moreish and had to stop myself smoking this too quickly. It lasts over an hour and a half but it is still on the pricey side, even given its unique shape. One for special occasions.

I have been waiting a long time to try this cigar for a number of reasons. The story behind Carlos Fuente Jnr dedicating this cigar to his father who had sadly passed away by the time the cigar had won Cigar of the year 2017 - Cigar Afficiando. Its one of the most beautiful cigars to look at and feels even better in the hand. The shape, the texture, the construction...everything looks, feels and smells right. I had a slightly loose draw but that doesnt tend to bother me as you are able to get huge volumes of smoke out of the cigar (hypothetically leading to more flavour right?). My opening 3rd was quiet but I heard that Arturo Fuentes are a little shy and take some time to warm up in your company so I didnt want to judge too quickly. After the end of the first 3rd I was getting worried as the flavour levels hadnt changed....surely there was more to this cigar than it was showing me. Into the second 3rd.....Oh man, it hasnt changed one iota. Dont get me wrong, the burn was exquisite, the ash was beautiful, but where was the flavour!!!! Its like someone cooking you an unbelievable meal which looks and smells amazing but they forgot to season anything...not even salt and pepper. By the end of the last 3rd I am genuinely worried that the hype around this cigar is precisely that...just a lot of smoke and no substance. One thing in its defence was that I had very slight fleeting hints of beautiful aged floral notes but they were so slight and so quick that as soon as they appeared...whuff, they were gone. I cannot and will not believe that this was the best this cigar has to offer, so I am going to smoke another and report back....fingers crossed my first experience was just a flavourless anomaly.

What an amazing looking cigar! Fully square body with a torpedo head. Took quite a while to get going given the size of the thing, but it developed into a lovely medium cigar of cedar, biscuit and some coffee. Great draw from a Dickman/slanted cut, construction was amazing with great ash hold and perfect straight burn. Never needed any relights from a long and slow smoke. Great great smoke. Quite pricy - not sure if I prefer the Andalusian Bull - but both are great treat-yourself cigars

I made a big mistake by going for the very best cigars when I first started smoking stogies. It would probably have been a better idea to start with the cheaper sticks, then buy the odd one or 2 great cigars for a treat, but when you start with a padron 1964 followed my my father and cohiba, well, where do you go from there? I will tell you where. You buy this amazing cigar! I saw reviews for this and decided to get one and my god. Oh my. What a smoke! I cannot stress how good this is. 3 distinct flavour changes, each as complex and delicious as any part of ANY other cigar. I would rather buy a box of these and smoke 1 a week rather than an average or poor cigar once a day. This is an amazing price too. They cost only a little bit less in the states where obviously they usually pay far less as the government over there does not rinse smokers out of their cash. If you love cigars you will love this, it is perfection. Perfect construction, perfect draw. If you buy a box and put them in your smoking rotation they will make your life better!