Arturo Fuente Cuban Belicoso (Sun Grown)

I bought many of these and put them away for a year. Now that I've had a couple I'm happy to announce that, these are VERY very good cigars. Wrapper is dark and thick and toothy but it has perfect construction with a very strong light gray ash. No touch ups needed, smoked straight down to inch and a half. Cedar & earth flavors predominate with a slight tingle early on - just enough. Great aroma. An all around good cigar and a GREAT value.

Nice looking cigar.The flavor was a good combo of earth and cedar, and it was smooth and mellow through to the end. The cigar had a problem with burning.

This is one of my favorite cigars. Although a little bit pricier than some of the other cigars that I smoke, I keep coming back to these.

Appearance was good, pre light aroma was strong. Construction seemed excellent with no flaws. Ash held for nearly 2 inches, light grey in color. Flavor was smooth tobacco, subtle hints of coffee. Draw was easy and smooth and I smoked it to a nub, and afterwards thought, I maybe could have smoked that for just one more puff. I bought several will let them age and look forward to them.

I bought 2 boxes in 2001. I smoke one from each box and wasn't impressed. I put them away to age and mello out. In December 2007 I was looking for something to pair up Don Carlos belicos for my bother-in-laws X-mas presents. I gave these another try and was suprise as to how these had matured. Thick heavy coffee with a hazelnut finish. On parr with the Don Carlos now. Bother-in-laws only got two each instead of five.

...a cigar that lived up to the hype surrounding the name Fuente. I was really surprised by this cigar. Great flavor, lots of subtle changes, great aroma, just a helluva good smoke.

Just finished smoking one of these beauties and have to say that I really liked it. Good looking stick with a smooth wrapper and pointed cap. Cut and lit easily but draw was super tight. Took me a minute to really get this one going correctly. Flavors were very pleasant. Lots of leather with occasional touches of peat or earth. Finish had a pronounced sweetness that would appear on the back of the tongue. Medium bodied overall. Draw loosened up eventually but the burn just wouldn't behave. I had to correct this thing several times but luckily no re-lights were needed. Overall, this was a great cigar that I would gladly smoke again. I don't think the $3.00 MSRP is correct though. I've never seen these offered for less than $6 a stick. Even then though it's still a good price and an even better cigar. Just my two cents.

These cigars are really good. The 4 that I smoked within the last week were all spot on. They all burned perfect, tons of smoke, and tasted great. I love the fact that these have a nice "sweet" after taste. The only problem that I had with these were that they are a bit expensive... I paid 6.75 a pop! I will say that next time I won't pay as much, probably around in the $4 range, as I found them on CBID in that range.

This cigar just doesn't get it for me and I think I qualify as Fuente fan as at the moment I have four Boxes of DC (No. 2, No. 4, Belicoso, and Dbl, Rob) 2 boxes of short stories and as always an 8-5-8 maddie in rotation. That said there is something odd about this cigar. The presentation is typical Fuente, including a slightly lumpy roll but with perfect draw and burn.

Then there is the main thing - the flavor. While I only had two of these they were a couple months apart, well maintained, and the same as one another. There is an ever present damp earthiness and an all too sweet character. Overall they were decent but not like any other AF product I have smoked and just off the mark for my tastes. A medium body throughout and pretty one dimensional. Others obviously disagree but I would suggest a couple singles before you think about a box.

Presentation outstanding. Cedar wrapped with black ribbon. For me it ended their. I thought it was a bit overrated. I was expecting stronger cigar. overall burn was very nice with a white ash. I will try again as i bought three

I really do like these. Other than the 8-5-8 sun grown, I think this is the best sun grown in the Fuente line, much better than the more hyped King B. I picked up about 10 of these around a year ago, and liked them so much I had a tough time smoking anything else. I ended up burning through 8 of them in no time at all, then left the others to rest in the humidor. I recently picked up a 5-pack in addition, so I thought it was time to light up one of the older ones to see what age does to them. A true belicoso, these Cuban Belis are a nice cigar to look at, ornately decorated with the classic AF band, a cedar sheath, and the black ribbon at the foot to signify its entry in the Fuente sun grown line. I have often, in my reviews, categorized other cigars with a sun grown wrapper as being reminiscent of the Cuban Beli, as I suppose I came to associate this cigar with a well-pronounced, "classic" sun grown flavor. With a year's age on it, the cigar's flavor had changed somewhat. While I remembered the cigar as being very woodsy, with a dash of earth (particularly toward the end), and a bit of spice, I now found that, although these flavors remained, they were much more subtle. In particular, the beginning of the smoke neared the mild-medium mark on the body-spectrum, and a notable sweetness appeared that I'd never associated wth this cigar. At about the half-way point, the cigar returned to the straight forward wood and earth flavors I recalled, that mild spice crept in at the very end., and the cigar returned to the world of medium-full bodied cigars. Maybe it's just that I wasn't expecting the relative mildness at the beginning, but I really think I prefer these cigars fresh, when the flavors are a bit more intense. One thing that didn't change at all was the excellent construction on these. From time to time the smoke would begin to burn unevenly, but it always corrected itself without need for a touch-up. The AF Cuban Beli is a really great smoke. The MSRP on this webpage reads $3.00, but that's pretty outdated. I picked these up at Tampa Sweethearts, where everything is sold at MSRP, and I believe they were going for just under $5 a pop. I would say $5-6 is a fair price to pay. Perhaps the only drawback with this cigar is that it tends to leave my mouth feeling a bit dry, in the same way a really hoppy beer does, like an IPA. That may actually be a plus for some people, but I prefer a good stout or wheat ale. Nevertheless, if you want a sun grown cigar, can't find the Fuente 8-5-8 SG, and don't want to pay the high price point on the Ashton VSG, you'll be hard pressed to find a better cigar whose wrapper was kissed by the sun.

A fairly pleasing cigar to look at. Had a nice redish dark wrapper. Very delicious looking cigar. Prelit draw had some sweetness to it. Burn and draw were fantastic. The flavor had a sweetness to it. nother too much. It was also VERY smooth, no harshness at all. Lots of smoke. Af sungrowns are very tasty smokes.

I smoked this a while back and what can I say. I honestly picked this cigar for the Fuente name and the beautiful presentation, the cedar covering just below the band with the stark black ribbon. What a beautiful cigar, masterfully rolled coming to the pointed cap. It was almost too pretty to smoke... almost.
What can I say, it was a beautiful smoke, lots and lots of tasty smoke, no harshness at all. It burned evenly all the way to the nub at which I was very dissapointed there wasn't another 1/2 hour left of this cigar. I'd reccomend this to anyone.

Smoked one right out of the box. Excellent
draw ,great taste. Had to slow down toward
the end, though, due to strength. Highly
recommended!

Beautiful cigar. Good construction. A bit of a flaky ash and the draw was a bit tight. I just haven't been thrilled with the flavor. Lots of leather and some citrus. (Perhaps the citrus is from the Mojito)

I've had 3 fairly fresh from the box. Perhaps I'll let a few rest for a year.

Deep breath, pause, do NOT rush these from their cedar coffins & you WILL be rewarded, I smoked these with 3+ yrs. & they are GREAT! simple as that.............

I was foolish not to let this sit in the humi for a while. Might have married more. A very attractive cigar- nothing overly distinctive about the taste. Medium bodies- a little one dimensional. Slowwwww burner. after 15 minutes it had maybe burned half an inch.

I really like these, especially for the price. The only times I haven't really enjoyed one is if it's been very, very young or overhumidified. The Fuente Sungrown line is great and this is my favorite readily-available size.

I expected so much more from this after the chateau SGs I've had.

This cigar was beautiful. Great wrapper and cap. However, I couldn't get the thing to burn consistently. (humi is at a solid 68%) Draw was a little tight. It even had a week in the dor to settle it. It may need more time.

It did not produce the volumes of smoke I expected. The flavor was pleasant, but nothing to get excited about.

I actually put this one down, because it was just a labor to smoke.

(Caveat) I have only smoked one of these, so I may end up eating my words later, but right now it's just blah.

this cigar was def a tasty one. looked nice, and pre light draw was spot on. peppery tastes yet very smooth. i had some burn problems but i was outside in the wind...get one if u can find it, should age very well.

Whoa daddy was this good. I smoked one of these about a month ago and had burn issues but it was box fresh. So I let a couple rest a month and pulled one out last night. What a difference a month makes. The wrapper was nice and oily and had a beautiful chocolate bar look to it. The burn was beautifully even and the draw was just right. Had 3 wonderful flavor changes and the ash finally fell after 45 minutes

I find the Fuente SGs are a good deal for the price. At about 5 bucks per, by the box from sweethearts, you are rewarded with a nice tasting cigar if they are left alone for a year.

Along with many other reviewers, I experienced one that was freshly made and knew to age it before trying. After a couple months in the humidor, I lit this cigar up to find a very pleasant and strong flavor that most sun growns will give you and peerless construction. Also, with boxes around $100 now, is a great value but good luck finding them

After smoking some of these with no aging, and some after about 9 mos, I would definitely say they improve with age, but I still find the taste disappointing (bland), although I occasionally get a nice pepper/cinnamon taste. Cigars tend to be a little harsh, which is surprising for a fuente.

Like many other reviewers I found a few in the box to be bitter, and just not good tasting. I have noticed dramatic flavor differences in the few that I have smoked after I let them sit for about 6 months. At its best, this is a well balanced smoke that isn't that spicy and offers a good deal of smoke with each draw. Its a mellow flavorful dry finish kinda smoke.

not the best looking smoke, actually pretty rough. some veins and a little uneven but things like this are easy to overlook if the smokes good. i lit it with the cedar, which is something i don't do often. first third really came through with the cedar, as you could guess. second third had a more subtle cedar taste, plus other wood tastes. all the meanwhile smoke jsut poured out with an awesome burn. although ash was a little flaky. last third came sweet tastes: some caramel, almond, and a litlte chocolate, along with the cedar that lasted throughout. overall, a very solid medium bodied smoke. this was fairly young, i'd say about 2-3 months, and based on other reviews i really want to try one with age on it, although it was still a very good smoke. a must try and a cigar i will certainly purchase again.

The cuban belicoso is another hard to get Fuente. When you do get some let them age for a few months. I recently smoked one with a year's age on it. The flavor was balanced with cocoa and spice. Very strong aroma. Don't smoke more than one indoors. The only drawback is the flaky ash.

had it tonite. nice smoke, only a hint of pepper but full of woody-cedar flavor. think white smoke and i nubbed it. definitely a humi staple

This little bugger has FULL of flavors in a medium to full bodied smoke. Price is very reasonable compared to other Fuentes'. Decided to get a whole box after I smoked one in Vegas! Like always, the construction of this cigar was top notch.

This is one of my regulars since I can't afford to herf Don Carlos and PAM on a daily basis. One or two in the box are harsh and nasty ??? But the rest are smooth and tasty.

If you ever have a chance to smoke an aged Cuban Belicoso dont pass it up. The one i smoked was 2yrs aged. I also just smoked a non aged Belicoso and the difference is unbelievable. So much smoother and the taste is unreal. Its more complex with spice,floral and smooth

Not sure what all the fuss is about with these. Poor burn, flaky ash, good flavors but not remarkable in any way. Worth smoking if you can get them for $3.50 or less.

Gran Reserva is a good smoke, and for the price, it’s a good value too. This is my choice for a sub $4 stick; The flavor was a good combo of earth and cedar, and it was smooth and mellow through to the end. The bunch was a little loose, and burned hot, making lots of thick smoke. The cigar had a problem with tunneling, but that was likely due to a defect in the wrapper. The cedar sheath this stick was wrapped in concealed a gaping hole (punctured, not torn) near the ring, that passed through the wrapper and binder, and left the bunch clearly visible. I always check for defects at the cigar store, but the cedar wrap of this cigar obscured the defect until I got it home. I’ve never had a problem before or since with quality control from Arturo Fuente, so I chalked this one up to an anomaly.

I found these to be harsh and missing those delicate classic Fuente flavors. Unremarkable for the entire green line. Stick with the cammies or maddies.

Just bought a box of these hard to find beauties. Had time to enjoy a couple with some buddies. Outstanding smoke! Consistent burn, complex spicy taste (nice zip!), smooth draw. Also great Fuente construction, Their trademark. I'll buy more if I can find them.

To me this vitola is full body w/ excellent taste. Smoked a couple of them and both times the burn was uneven. Rumor from the sewing circle was that there are 2 rollers that make this line, 1 that's fantastic and the other that's not. Anyway, thumbs up for this smoke cause of (1) burn stays lit, (2) definitely an eye candy, (3) good value (compare to an Opus or Don Carlos), and most importantly (4) the great taste.

Medium strength cigar with a beautiful coarse brown sun grown wrapper. Burned straight and true and delivered some of the most enjoyable flavor. Recommended

purchased one from serious cigar.com as a referral from the shop, glad I did, beautiful construction, sweet sungrown taste, the kick is there but mild ( to me anyway ) love these, after I smoked two was lucky enough to find a box available, good buy for the price.

Unlike the Don Carlos which should be smoked when purchases, this well balanced cigar ages well. Well balanced and typical of this brand

This is a real brute of a cigar. It kicked my ***. Great taste, but a real spitter. Should be smoked after a fistfight or when contemplating the distress of an arch rival. Great Fuente construction, appearance and draw. Maybe a few months in the box will teach it some manners. One of the strongest cigars I've ever smoke. I think that's the idea.

While not quite the flavor profile of the Don Carlos line, this was an enjoyable medium to full bodied smoke. Very nice dark wrapper with a razor sharp burn. A hefty cigar that finished well.

Excellent cigar. Always what I expect from the AF Sungrown line. I still prefer the Double Chateau over the Cuban Belicoso, but still a great cigar.

A Gorgeous looking cedar wrapped, black foot covered AF Sungrown cigar. Similar to the AF Flor Fina 858SG, this cigar may have a lesser bevy of flavor, but a nice spicy twist. Ages very well, and when bloom is present, it will offer a nice spicy kick. For those who can't find the Flor Fina 858 SG, this cigar offers a good resemblance.