Rainy day Mondays always get me down, sounds like a song I used to sing, but that is the way I would describe last Monday. Cold, damp, and untypical for our summer weather but that is what greeted me when I stepped out on the patio to test drive an old friend, the Arturo Fuente Curly Head.
The funny name and the plain packaging are a couple of the reasons I picked them up at TopHat Tobacco a while ago. Plus I was doing a little of my own research into finding and reviewing good or even great smokes for under $4.00 a stick. The packaging is a clear cellophane wrapper with the words A. Fuente in white script, nice and simple. The cigar is 6 1/2″ long, a ring gauge of 43, and surprisingly has no cigar ring. Darn! I would love to see the cigar ring art for a stick named Curly Head.
The natural wrapper was tan, very firm, with a few veins, a crinkly texture and a moderate tobacco aroma. The cap had an ever so slight taper or tip to it so I used my cutter on it. Before I lit it up I noticed the foot was so loose it actually allowed flecks of tobacco to fall out!
The Arturo Fuente Curly Head lit easily and had a sweet smell on the startup. Even though it appeared to be packed loosely, the stick burned evenly, required no touch ups and had a good draw, start to finish. Better than I can say for a lot of more expensive smokes!
The smoke volume was moderate and I managed quite a few smoke rings during this smoke session. The ash was sturdy enough for the test and not drop off unexpectedly.
My initial draws on this stick surprised me, it presented a sweet straw-like quality and a hint of vanilla for my palate to enjoy. In the back of my mind I’m thinking, this won’t last, not for $3.49 a stick, it’s too good to be true! This wonderful mild flavor lasted for about 2/3’s of the stick and then for its finale, the Curly Head Cigars, finished the last 1/3 with a peppery bite. Nice!
This oddly named cigar, with its simplistic presentation, was making some very good impressions as I smoked it to the end. The flavor, price and presentation makes the Arturo Fuente Curly Head a good value and would make a great addition to your humidor as an everyday smoke.