Connoisseur’s Corner: Arturo Fuente Destino Al Siglo Siglo de Amistad
This celebratory smoke was created for Arturo Fuente’s landmark 100th anniversary in 2012, and released the following year. It’s a beautiful cigar, with a slightly reddish hue to the wrapper. Bold from the first puff, it begins with notes of almond, and orange marmalade. The smoke gets drier and stronger as it goes, taking on notes of walnut and a touch of graham cracker. Quite delicious. —David Savona
This cigar was rolled in 2009, the year it was named our Cigar of the Year. It was already made with aged tobacco, and 11 years later, the smoke has evened out into a perfectly balanced cigar with an exemplary draw and burn. The flavors were smooth from first puff to last, filled with leather, light earthiness and a white pepper note on the finish. The cigar is smoking at its peak, but it has a lot of life yet. —Gordon Mott
Softly pressed with a wrapper that’s silky to the touch, this robusto draws and burns beautifully, bringing a consistently creamy, medium-bodied smoke. From its floral, nutty core comes notes of citrus and vanilla, subtle at first, but more pronounced as the cigar progresses, which leaves an aftertaste of nougat and cedar. Balanced and sublime. —Gregory Mottola
While the Partagás Serie D No. 4 is Cuba’s most popular cigar, I prefer the No. 5. It’s just as thick, a little shorter and it’s produced in far fewer quantities, giving it a more consistent performance. This eight-year-old smoke is pleasantly floral and woody, with plenty of almond notes and orange blossom, and lots of long-term aging potential. —David Savona
