J. Fuego Sangre De Toro (6x60)

Ahhh, the joys of an evening out with a friend. My wife has been in California all week for her sister's wedding, so the kids went with Grandma which left me alone with myself so I started working the phone book. A good friend of mine with whom I hadn't met since before Christmas was the first choice, and thankfully he was ready and willing to join in the adventure for good food, good drink, and a good cigar.

Mission accomplished!

The evening started at The Outback where I was awarded a very generous portion of Prime Rib which I thoroughly enjoyed. The steak actually came after I enjoyed a bowl of their French Onion Soup and a wing from the appetizer plate ordered by James.

Upon the completion of dinner we headed over to Stogie's, my preferred hangout spot for enjoying cigars. Since we were in separate cars I arrived quicker than James as he had to stop for gas. This gave me some time alone in the well stocked humidor to look at new selections as well as old favorites. A gentleman entered the humidor and made a comment to the effect of not knowing how to choose a cigar. He asked me if I knew anything to which I replied I felt I did and he proceeded to ask some advice.

After asking a few questions of him I steered him towards the CAO Gold telling him that he really couldn't go wrong with that cigar. It is a nice, well balanced cigar, not too strong, not too weak. He told me he had some business clients coming in that enjoyed cigars and I told him he wouldn't be disappointed with the CAO Gold.

James showed up a few minutes later and I finally settled on the J. Fuego Sangre De Toro (6x60) that I had picked up on a few prior occasions only to end up buying another stick in place of it. Tonight was the night to give this cigar a taste.

After paying and settling on a spot, I gently toasted the foot and took my first draw. The cigar immediately showed some bold flavor with a almost sweet finish. Allow me to preface, it WAS NOT a sweet finish, but it offered up the suggestion of it. Like a really dark chocolate, you know there is a sweet note to it, you just have to look for it. In the same way the cigar suggested right from the get go that it had a sweetness it wanted to offer, but it was going to make you work for it.

I had my usual WoodChuck Cider that I prefer to drink when smoking cigars, and James and I launched into a discussion that ran the gamut from catching up from the last few months to politics. The cigar easily kept up and really demonstrated an incredible balance between strength and flavor, and the finish slowly gave up a little sweetness, again along the lines of a dark chocolate the deeper I got into the cigar.

The ash was well constructed and held for a solid inch and a half, and although it got a little hotter than I prefer after the first ash fell off, the cigar continued to develop and offer up a truly great smoking experience.

As the cigar rounded the halfway point (about 3" in) the draw actually picked up some strength offering an almost cajun pepper kick, but again finishing smooth. The flavor was there, but it DID NOT linger which is really unique. The smoke itself had a wonderful mouth feel, and the cigar as a whole really did well to represent Jesus Fuego and his intents in creating this line of cigars.

Sadly, my WoodChuck ran out before the cigar did, so I thought I drink a Boylan's Ginger Ale. My memory told me that this would not be to sweet, however it was much sweeter than I remember and really detracted from the cigar. I went the final third of this cigar not drinking much as the sweetness of the soda really overpowered the cigar.

Time was drawing to a close, James had to go and tend to his dog at home, and I had another friend coming to the house to play some cards, so the J. Fuego Sangre De Toro was allowed to extinguish in the ashtray and a great evening closed on itself.

All in all I think this cigar was excellent. It IS NOT for the faint of heart or timid. This is bold, but not overpowering, and certainly rewarding to a person who enjoys their cigars strong and bold. I really don't remember what the stick cost, I think around $6 or $7, and I certainly think it is worth the price.

I will be looking to add this cigar to my rotation of known great cigars and would encourage you to buy a stick or three and share it with your friends.

Until we smoke again...