Fuente Cuban Belicoso Sun Grown Torpedo Review

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

It was one of those days and upon arriving home, I wanted nothing more than to sit and have a relaxing smoke and contemplate the quiet. I didn’t want a strong cigar that would shrivel my teeth, nor did I want one that wouldn’t leave a lasting impression. My choice: a Fuente Cuban Belicoso Sun Grown.

This cigar uses the same Dominican binder and filler blend as the rest of Fuente’s Gran Reserva line. The difference is the exclusive Ecuadorian sun grown wrapper, which is grown in limited quantities and is much sought after around the world. This wrapper is exposed to a greater amount of sun, wind, rain and other punishing conditions of nature, and is forced to draw more nutrients from the soil, becoming stronger, more robust, and flavorful.

I sat down in my usual smoking spot on my back patio with one purpose in mind: to enjoy a relaxing smoke and a smooth libation. It was a clear yet cold night outside, but I didn’t mind. I have two propane heaters and, after I launched them, I was as snug as the proverbial bug. At that point, I pulled the cedar sleeve off my Fuente and began my pre-light inspection. The wrapper on this cigar is a gem. A chocolate brown color; smooth with hardly noticeable veins. Not much of a nose, but I was expecting this after my other run-ins with this breed. I quickly trimmed and set this puppy aflame. Just as quickly, it developed an uneven burn and the ash flowered; so much so that I had to drop the ash after a half-inch to keep it out of my lap. Nevertheless, the burn quickly righted itself and I settled back to enjoy.

The flavors were spicy and bittersweet: literally. There was a sweetness to the wrapper leaf, along with enough spiciness, to give it a hint of bitterness…. Don’t ask.

The draw was near perfect. There is something extra relaxing about a cigar that you don’t have to puff all the time to keep it lit. This stogie stayed lit and I was able to relax and just enjoy it.

I smoked the previous cigar of this batch about 3 months ago and remember that it was over spicy and had some burn problems near the end. Not so with this bad boy. It was a joy to smoke from start to finish.

At the halfway point, it developed a bit of an irregular burn and I was in no mood, nor did I have the patience to allow it to right itself. So, I touched it up with my lighter and it took perfectly to the disciplining.

This cigar batch has matured nicely with the extra age. After nearly 4 1/2 months in my humi, this specimen has blossomed into an excellent and relaxing smoke. It is medium bodied and medium flavored, full of roasted nuts and spice and yet not overdone with either; the perfect choice for the end of an otherwise less than perfect day.

I complemented this cigar with a short glass of Blanton’s Single Barrel bourbon; a smooth, complex libation with a hint of orange zest.

Doc

[qwerty1500]

Nice review. What do you know ... I picked up 3 of these yesterday at the local shop. I've been smoking a lot of sungrown and wanted to try these. Sounds like a little age will really help these. Probably fire one up today ... really can't wait ... and save the others for Labor Day or Thanksgiving.

[ATLHARP]

Fuente Sungrowns are the best sungrown cigars on the market period. I love the Cuban Belicoso and also the Double Chateau Fuente size. I grabbed a couple more of the Double Chateaus yesterday at the herf (as well as a couple of the Chateau Fuentes). These sticks are absolute gems, and are some of the best non-coms on the market.

ATL

[olotti]

Nice Review. These are my "go-to" smokes along with the RP Edge. I love the Sungrown wrapper on these and as of yet have never had a bad one. I need to keep these in large quantities because they are so good and I agree with ATLHARP that these are some of the best smokes on the market and for their price are unbeatable.

[drevim]

Originally Posted by olotti

Nice Review. These are my "go-to" smokes along with the RP Edge. I love the Sungrown wrapper on these and as of yet have never had a bad one. I need to keep these in large quantities because they are so good and I agree with ATLHARP that these are some of the best smokes on the market and for their price are unbeatable.

Like everyone else has said, for the money, these can't be beat. The quality is Fuente, so you know it's good. But the flavor of these are great.

Truely a stick I can't get enough of!!!!

[qwerty1500]

Oaky ... okay ... gonna fire one up. Soon as I bring some fire wood in. Spring? Right ....

[RPB67]

Something about those Sun Growns !

[qwerty1500]

Just put it down ... reluctantly. A sweet little AF Chateau Fuente Sun Grown. I've smoked just about everything from AF ... Con Carlos, Hemingway but not the X yet. This is the first one that I thought might make my regular rotation.

Enjoyed it will a Bud Select while watching the NCAAs.

Nice firm stick with only two VERY small veins. Prelight draw was perfect. Spicy from the first puff. Very firm light gray ash ... stayed on there half-way through the stick ... only brushed it off because I knew it would fall in my lap sooner or later ... wonder if it would have stayed on till the nub???

Prefect draw and even burn ... never thought about touching it up.

Some might call this a medium bodied smoke but for me it was more full-bodied ... in a smooth very nice way. Spicy and flavorful. I'm a big sungrown fan and I kept waiting for this one to mellow out. The taste did seem to mellow in the last 1/3 but it never lost its spicy flavor right down to the nub. Hated to put it down.

This is the first AF that tempts me to buy a box. At the prices I've seen, it might just turn out to be a go-to cigar.

This is definitely a cigar I want to sit and savor. Don't think that a Chateau will be enough. What sizes do you prefer???

[RPB67]

Thats what I am talking about ! Sungrowns !

[WetExit]

[QUOTE=Dr. Stogie Fresh]

This wrapper is exposed to a greater amount of sun, wind, rain and other punishing conditions of nature, and is forced to draw more nutrients from the soil, becoming stronger, more robust, and flavorful.

Great review! I especially enjoyed the explanation of the wrapper. The Doc, Droppin' some Science!

[Dogwatch Dale]

Nice review Doc. I don't think Fuente products get enough credit (other then the Opusx, etc...) and are under-appreciated. Gives me an idea for a future Cigar of The Week!!!!!!!

[vudu9]

the AF Cuban Belicoso SG is far my favorite cigar of all the Fuente lines.

[PuffDaddy]

Originally Posted by drevim

Like everyone else has said, for the money, these can't be beat. The quality is Fuente, so you know it's good. But the flavor of these are great.

Truely a stick I can't get enough of!!!!

Ian gifted (traded?, can't remember) me one of these a couple of weeks ago. It is one of the finest looking sticks I have seen from A.F. (this includes Anejos). I had one many months ago with no rest time on it, and I was disappointed. I had not developed much of a palate yet when I had it. Ian had one of these at the Louisville herf last month after having MANY other fine sticks and loved it, so it goes to show it can stand on it's own. I look forward to getting to burn it when warmer weather (it's 30 right now) gets here.
Nice review as usual Doc!

BTW...It is difficult not to make a Brokeback joke about the last line of your post Ian.

[Lima_dat_alone]

Fired up two of these the other night, one for me, one for my girlfriend. Flavor was amazing, construction was great. Both cigars had major burn issues though. If time in the humi will fix the uneven burns I seem to get with the fuentes i've tried, I might buy a box of these. These will definately be given a few more chances because they tasted that good.

[drevim]

Originally Posted by PuffDaddy

Ian gifted (traded?, can't remember) me one of these a couple of weeks ago. It is one of the finest looking sticks I have seen from A.F. (this includes Anejos). I had one many months ago with no rest time on it, and I was disappointed. I had not developed much of a palate yet when I had it. Ian had one of these at the Louisville herf last month after having MANY other fine sticks and loved it, so it goes to show it can stand on it's own. I look forward to getting to burn it when warmer weather (it's 30 right now) gets here.
Nice review as usual Doc!

BTW...It is difficult not to make a Brokeback joke about the last line of your post Ian.

Jeff, I wish I could quit you!!!!