Cyber Herf VI - God of Fire Carlito Double Robusto 2005

[montecristo#2]

Time for the next installment of Cyber Herfing. Tom nicely provided the smokes for Cyber Herf V and hit Bob and I with some Punch Ninja action.

So I went to my local B&M in hopes of finding some Camacho Triple Maduros or some Oliva Special S Diademas. Unfortunately, I was out of luck, as both of my local shops did not have these sticks. I knew I needed to pick up something and my local shop had just gotten their shipment of GOFs. So my bad luck turned into some good fortune as I decided we had to smoke some GOFs for Cyber Herf VI. I have been wondering about these cigars for a while and couldn't think of a better time to smoke one of these.

We smoked the 2005 God of Fire Double Robusto blended by Carlito. From my understanding, these cigars were actually rolled in 2005 and have been aging since then.

Tom and I actually smoked these yesterday, while Bob was planning on smoking his today. Out here in SF, I was smoking in a dense fog (less than a block visibility), but luckily there was very little wind which made it a very pleasant smoking experience.

Appearance: Definitely a solid cigar with a very nice cameroon wrapper. I tried to grab ones without any visible imperfections and at least the one I smoked was almost perfect.

Pre-Light Draw: I cut the head with my palio cutter and took a pre-light draw. Fantastic, the pre-light draw was perfect on this cigar.

Flavor: I lit the cigar with my Blazer pocket torch and the first couple of draws immediately reminded me of an opusX. However, the flavor profile was not nearly as intense or as peppery as most opusX. I also got a hint of sweetness which was very nice. About a half an inch into the cigar, the flavor profile really started to pick up and was rather full-bodied with definite blasts of pepper. As I progressed, the cigar seemed to go back and forth. At the two inch mark it seemed to mellow again before picking up the pepper into the final third. In terms of strength, I had a very nice buzz after smoking this cigar.

Construction: What can I say, simply perfect. First ash was well over two inches. Unfortunately it was too dark to get a good picture. The draw was effortless without being too loose. You have to give the Fuentes credit, when it comes to construction they are top notch.

Overall Impression: This cigar definitely had a strong DR tobacco flavor profile. Usually, I am not a huge fan of this flavor profile, but this one never developed the bad aftertaste I normally get after (or while) smoking a cigar with DR tobacco. I would say if you like opusX (especially when they are fresh), then you will probably love the GOFs. I have never had an aged opusX, so I really can't compare, but I have a feeling an aged opusX would taste very similar to the GOF. Maybe the fact that these have been aged two years makes a huge difference.

Overall, this was a very good cigar and one of the best cigars I have smoked with DR tobacco (still not as good as anejos though ). For the price, I probably wouldn't buy these in the future as there are other cigars I prefer more (and most are cheaper as well), but I am very glad I had the chance to finally smoke one of these and do not regret the purchase.

[JCK]

Aaron,

Thanks for the great review on the GOF.

[GAW]

Well reviewed - I really enjoyed reading it! A cigar I have smoked and one hard not to like, but mucho coin and lots of competion at that price point I agree.The Don Carlos Double Robusto especially aged a bit comes in a close second IMO if you like rich cameroon wrapper Dominicans and at about half the price. Jerry

[Bigwaved]

You forgot to mention the sugah!

[earnold25]

thanks for the review. i've got one of these i need to smoke up

[carni]

great review, looks like i am going to revisit.

[Papichulo]

I want to try one! Thanks for an awesome and detailed review

[icehog3]

Here's my review....was off-line all night last night si just putting it up now...

In the fine tradition of Cyber Herfing, Aaron sent the 2005 God of Fire Carlito's blend to Bob and I.

Appearance: Foot a bit firm and dry to the touch. Beautiful Cameroon wrapper with no visible flaws.

Pre-light: A touch of sweetness on the pre-light draw.

Construction: The firmness felt in the foot didn’t have any correlation to the draw of the cigar…nice easy draw with tons of smoke right off the bat. White-grey ash that didn’t want to fall off the cigar. Perfect Fuente burn (no suprise).

Flavors: First draw had a strong flavor of spice, which quickly gave way to a hint of black cherry. Picking up more spice quickly, and the strength of the cigar becomes ever more evident. The cigar had peaks and valley of strength and spice, but the hint of sweetness was evident throughout the first half. The ash finally fell off just before reaching the first band.

The last third has given way to sheer tobacco strength….lost are the hints of sweetness, and growing is my need for a bit of sugar. Mostly just fine tobacco flavor at the end. Fuente makes the best NCs in my humble opinion, and this one is no exception. Just wish the cost was a little (or a lot) more reasonable. Only lost the ash twice the whole cigar, and needed some chow badly when it was done.

Overall: A perfectly constructed cigar with some interesting flavors. Definitely would eat first before smoking another. The price makes this cigar pretty prohibitive for an "everyday" smoke, but I thank Aaron for providing me with the cigar and a special occassion to smoke it!

Thanks so much for such a great cigar Aaron….and the camaraderie that these Cyber Herfs bring.

[stormin]

Great reviews guys. Thanks for sharing.

Sounds like an interesting smoke, but probably not one that I would not get.

[montecristo#2]

Great review Tom, sounds like we had a similar opinion of this cigar.

While I was smoking, I was a little shocked by the "peaks and valleys" which is a good way to describe my observation as well. I am glad you experienced something similar, I thought I was loosing it for a little while.

I would have loved to see the ash up to the first band, that would have been a nice one for sure. Mine was similar, but not that good.

The sweetness was a little surprising for me, as most of the opus I have smoked lacked this dimension. It was very pleasant. I wonder if aged opus have a similar taste or if this is unique to the GOF.

I made sure to eat a nice meal before smoking this one, with that said, I was definitely feeling the nicotine as well. Also a hallmark of premium Fuentes.

I hope Bob is doing ok, I noticed he hasn't gotten a chance to post his review yet.

[4WheelVFR]

When is Cyber Herf VII? I would like to be included and I'll offer to be the host next time.

[JCK]

Originally Posted by montecristo#2

The sweetness was a little surprising for me, as most of the opus I have smoked lacked this dimension. It was very pleasant. I wonder if aged opus have a similar taste or if this is unique to the GOF.

You think the sweetness can be attributed to the Cameroon Wrapper? I've noticed a more noticeable sweetness in a Cameroon Shark over an Anejo #55.

[icehog3]

I had one OpusX a couple summers ago (actually the best OpusX I have had) that was full of sweet flavors, caramel, honey, black cherry. This is the first Fuente since that had so much sweetness to it....made for a quite interesting smoke for sure.

I knew Bob was going to smoke the next day....hopefully "real life" just interceded and he will be here shortly.

[discdog]

Sorry for the delay guys. I actually got to smoke mine last night and after writing up my review, it was to late for me to stay up to post. Sucks getting old. lol
Again, I'd like to thank both of you for letting me participate in the Cyber Herf, and since my turn is next, I'll be sending out the Comacho Triple Maduros on Monday. Man do these things look awesome.

That being said, here goes my attempt at the God Of Fire:

Appearance: Beautiful Cameroon wrapper with a triple cap, the wrapper leaf itself was flawless. But the odd thing was the glue smeared all over the cigar from foot to first band. It didn't affect anything but the appearance, but it was disheartening for such an obviously fine stick.

Pre-light: A slighty sweet, kind of fruit/floral taste, pleasant and unexpected

Construction: With the exception of the glue, the construction of the cigar was typical Fuente, flawless. Light veins the length of the stick, consistant color, and the triple cap was applied perfectly. Draw was about as good as you could ever want, easy with a little resistance.

Flavors: I didn't have any flavor changes throughout the entire smoke. It was surprisingly one dimensional, sweet spice, from start to finish. Although it did have a kind of off flavor once I got past the bands. I would say a strong medium in strength, more like a Don Carlos or Diamond Crown Maximus than an Opus or Anejo. The cameroon wrapper (I think) gave an odd muted sweetness to the whole cigar.

Overall: With the exception of the glue, this cigar was flawless, worth the money, not to me, be alot of guys would say "Hell Yes!" I was really expecting a lot more - something. It just was not an overwhelming experience, a nice smoke, yes. Not one that I want to go out and buy a box as in this price range, I think I'd have to go Aniversary every time.

Thank you Aaron for the chance to smoke one I've always wondered about and never seen. I'd like to get one or two of these and set the aside for a while, just to visit them later to see if there is a difference.

I was wanting to do the LFD Cameroon lancero but they have not made it in yet, I picked up the Comacho Trip. Maduro's last week, just in case, but also have the new Tatuaje "East Coast". Let me know which you guys want to try and I'll get them out Monday.

Bob

[montecristo#2]

Originally Posted by 4WheelVFR

When is Cyber Herf VII? I would like to be included and I'll offer to be the host next time.

Ray, shouldn't you be studying?

I believe Bob is supplying the smokes for the next cyber herf. If Bob and Tom are cool with it, we could probably add a fourth. Any larger than that and it is going to be difficult to settle on a day.

If Bob has already grabbed the cigars for the next one, you might have to wait for Cyber Herf VIII, if that is cool?

Originally Posted by khubli

You think the sweetness can be attributed to the Cameroon Wrapper? I've noticed a more noticeable sweetness in a Cameroon Shark over an Anejo #55.

Ji - honestly, I have not smoked that many cigars with a cameroon wrapper, so I don't really know. So maybe it has something to do with the wrapper or maybe it was the extra couple of years of aging (maybe the opusX Tom mentioned was aged as well).

When it comes to the cameroon sharks, for all we know they could have been rolled a couple of years ago and have been aging for a while. With the Fuentes, just because they were released in 06, doesn't mean they were rolled at that time.