CW Member Review: J. Fuego Origen Original
by Doug McGuire (Mad Dawg)
Cigar Weekly Reviews Editor
Cigar Weekly Community Forums and Discussion Groups member and Reviews Editor Doug McGuire (Mad Dawg) submitted this review to the Cigar Reviews forum recently. CW editors will select and publish particularly insightful and exemplary posts by members from Cigar Reviews. Selected by Editor-in-Chief Thomas Bender.
An intriguing little cigar I first heard about on another board. According to the blurb on the 5-pack wrapper, the size (5x44) and shape (sort of like a perfecto) were worked out by the Fuego family as the test bed to evaluate all of their new blends. I hadn't heard much about the rest of the Origen line, but the review I read of the Original was stellar. In any case, the opportunity to try the prototypical shape for a new blend was something I was definitely going to pursue.
So I spent some time looking for them: nada, zip, zilch. Seemed like nobody had any, though I read repeatedly that the Origen line in general was limited in terms of production, and would only be offered by a few vendors. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I found a vendor that had some, and I got my order in immediately.
They come in paper-wrapped 5-packs, slender cigars tapered at both ends, with a smooth, darkish wrapper. Descriptions of the blend are sketchy, but reportedly 100% corojo tobacco is used: Dominican and Nicaraguan filler, Costa Rican binder, Brazilian wrapper.
Jesus Fuego of Tabacos, S.A.
Both ends of the cigar are open, and they are unbanded, so I chose to light the slightly bigger end. Immediate impression of smooth, rich smoke with leather, earth, and a hint of coffee in the flavors. The draw was perfect, with just the right resistance, and the burn was straight throughout, never requiring touch-ups.
As with all narrow RG cigars, slow smoking was the way to go. Although I don't have anything like jazznut's palate, subtle flavors did come and go as the smoke progressed. At one point, I got the distinct impression of coffee laced with abundant cream, with just a touch of turbinado sugar. Medium-bodied, deepening towards full-bodied as the smoke progressed, always smooth and well-balanced. A really pleasant smoke, from first draws to 3/4" nub.
If you look around a little, these little gems can be had for about $2 each. At that price point, they're well worth the ante, IMO. Highly recommended.
Editor's note: CW spoke to Tabacos S.A. National Sales Manager, Ekert Cordon about this article. He tells CW that this particular cigar has not been released for general sale as of the time of publication. It is currently a limited release to a small number of tobacconists, and will make its official debut in August, 2010 at the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers' Association trade show in New Orleans, Louisiana.
TBBiv
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Cigar Weekly Reviews Editor Doug McGuire has been a member of the Community Forums and Discussion Groups since October of 2002, a moderator since 2006, and Reviews Editor. From Katy, Texas, Doug is also a geologist by profession and an avid fancier and breeder of Golden Retrievers.
