Cruising the Cigars: Part II: Arturo Fuente Experience

Morning light poured across the Danube as The Mozart (Riverside Luxury Cruises) slipped quietly along, her polished decks catching the sun like a well-burnished humidor. I had already enjoyed a beautifully fragrant Ethiopian coffee paired with a selection of indulgent plant-based pastries by Chef Johannes Bär—lavender-scented swirls, flaky fruit-filled layers, and pillowy soft cinnamon donuts that demanded slow appreciation.

The morning was rich, unhurried, and gently fragrant, and a cigar felt not only appropriate but inevitable. With the promise of a rooftop BBQ later that afternoon, and the scent of smoked paprika and char beginning to creep from the galley, I decided the moment was perfect to reach for the cigar I had been saving for a solitary, contemplative smoke—the Arturo Fuente Gran Reserva. A stiff breeze rolled across the top deck, making it difficult to keep a consistent burn, but a true fan will always persevere. Sometimes the ritual is half the reward.

This storied Dominican cigar, handmade at Tabacalera A. Fuente, carries with it more than a century of legacy. Whether wrapped in the elegant chocolate-hued Cameroon leaf or the darker, moodier Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro, it consistently delivers a smooth and satisfying smoke. On this occasion, I opted for the Curly Head Deluxe Maduro—a budget-friendly offering with all the heart of a flagship blend. The roll was rustic, its toothy broadleaf wrapper slightly oily with a few veins that whispered authenticity. The cold draw offered cocoa and a fruity sweetness, while the foot gave off dark chocolate, earth, and faint cedar. As the cigar burned, the flavours held steady: burnt sugar, cocoa, and just a touch of black pepper on the finish. Unpretentious yet rewarding, it was exactly the companion one needs when cruising between worlds.

A cigar like this is not about flash or flourish—it is about tradition, reliability, and those quiet spaces between destinations where everything feels perfectly in balance.

A HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE

Founded in 1912, Arturo Fuente represents a cigar brand synonymous with exceptional quality and a rich family tradition. Boasting a history spanning more than a century, this iconic brand has remained a top choice for aficionados around the world. Arturo Fuente, born in Güines, Cuba, took a chance and migrated to Key West, Florida, in search of opportunity in the early 1900s. His passion for cigars led him to establish a modest manufacturing business—A. Fuente & Company—operating from his home, where he personally rolled cigars for the local community.

In 1924, a devastating fire destroyed the factory, forcing production to cease for more than two decades. Arturo’s resilience, however, never faltered. He resumed operations in Tampa, Florida, in 1946, laying the groundwork for the company’s eventual rise. After the Cuban embargo in 1960, Arturo and his son Carlos Fuente Sr. sought new tobacco sources, eventually relocating to Santiago, Dominican Republic, in 1970. There, they built Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia., a turning point that allowed them to cultivate their own tobacco and refine their blends.

Carlos Fuente Jr. joined the business in 1980, bringing renewed energy and vision. In 1986, the release of the Hemingway Series—featuring the brand’s signature figurado shape and Dominican fillers—elevated the brand’s global status. Today, Arturo Fuente cigars remain a benchmark for consistency, craftsmanship, and rich flavour, making them a foundational smoke for both seasoned aficionados and curious newcomers alike.

Coming up in Part III: The Don Tomás Presidente. Bold, earthy, and unapologetically big. Join me as we pair this powerhouse of a cigar with a golden sunset, a highball of something honeyed, and a soundtrack of water against hull. This is cruising with cigars at its most relaxed.

Author Profile

Vlad Xanthopoulos: Vlad Xanthopoulos is the Vices Ambassador at Folio.YVR, host of Cocktails & Cigars, and contributor. A connoisseur of fine cigars and craft cocktails, Vlad explores the art, culture, and stories behind these indulgences. His passion for tradition and refined living elevate Vancouver Vices for Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.