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Last post 14 months ago by ZRX1200. 28 replies replies.
Why the Arturo Fuente shortage?
PapaWhiskey Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 01-01-2023
Posts: 757
Seems like everywhere I look there is an Arturo Fuente shortage. How come? Corey hooked me up with some vintage AF that I know I won't find in stores but was hoping to find something similar. Seems like everywhere I look the AF pickings are slim. Is it always like this or is there a reason one of us is aware of?
tonygraz Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2008
Posts: 20,247
Nobody smokes them anymore because they are too popular.
frankj1 Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,221
Yogi Berra?
8trackdisco Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 60,075
PapaWhiskey wrote:
Seems like everywhere I look there is an Arturo Fuente shortage. How come? Corey hooked me up with some vintage AF that I know I won't find in stores but was hoping to find something similar. Seems like everywhere I look the AF pickings are slim. Is it always like this or is there a reason one of us is aware of?


The old man died.
His son is selling watches in Dubai and appears uninterested in the business.
The most trusted farm field manager retired.
Covid killed off a fair number of their rollers. Takes six months to ramp up the average roller to make even large ring gauges.
The head accountant left.

It is going to be a while (if ever) to get that brand back to where it was.
PapaWhiskey Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 01-01-2023
Posts: 757
8trackdisco wrote:
The old man died.
His son is selling watches in Dubai and appears uninterested in the business.
The most trusted farm field manager retired.
Covid killed off a fair number of their rollers. Takes six months to ramp up the average roller to make even large ring gauges.
The head accountant left.

It is going to be a while (if ever) to get that brand back to where it was.


Holy smokes! Well that will certainly slow production. Thank you for the background info disco.
Ram27 Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 04-30-2005
Posts: 49,014
PapaWhiskey wrote:
Seems like everywhere I look there is an Arturo Fuente shortage. How come? Corey hooked me up with some vintage AF that I know I won't find in stores but was hoping to find something similar. Seems like everywhere I look the AF pickings are slim. Is it always like this or is there a reason one of us is aware of?




Plenty to be found in the Philly place. _ OLTS. Think
Palama Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,680
H

For those alphabetically and cigar challenged.

Ram27 wrote:
Plenty to be found in the Philly place. _ OLTS. Think

Palama Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,680
PapaWhiskey wrote:
Seems like everywhere I look there is an Arturo Fuente shortage. How come? Corey hooked me up with some vintage AF that I know I won't find in stores but was hoping to find something similar. Seems like everywhere I look the AF pickings are slim. Is it always like this or is there a reason one of us is aware of?



8trackdisco wrote:
The old man died.
His son is selling watches in Dubai and appears uninterested in the business.
The most trusted farm field manager retired.
Covid killed off a fair number of their rollers. Takes six months to ramp up the average roller to make even large ring gauges.
The head accountant left.

It is going to be a while (if ever) to get that brand back to where it was.


Depending on what you’re looking for, consider this:

Some blends are only released at certain times of the year and sell out quickly. Prime example is the Hemingway Maduros. Typically they get released around Father’s Day and Christmas so about a couple months before then, keep your eyes peeled for them. Depending on what you’re looking for and your desire to buy some, daily searches may be required. Good luck on finding good deals since the retailers know they’re scarce and there are people willing to pay, at the very least MSRP. Many buyers have the financial wherewithal to pay more. If you find someplace that offers any sort of discount, you better grab them quick, ‘cause iffin’ you go back a few hours later, good chance they’ll be gone.

Good luck in your search and buying success! 🍀
PapaWhiskey Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 01-01-2023
Posts: 757
Ram27 wrote:
Plenty to be found in the Philly place. _ OLTS. Think


Good tip. Thanks
Ram27 Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 04-30-2005
Posts: 49,014
^ Glad to help. They are very good with choices and shipping.
PapaWhiskey Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 01-01-2023
Posts: 757
Palama wrote:
Depending on what you’re looking for, consider this:

Some blends are only released at certain times of the year and sell out quickly. Prime example is the Hemingway Maduros. Typically they get released around Father’s Day and Christmas so about a couple months before then, keep your eyes peeled for them. Depending on what you’re looking for and your desire to buy some, daily searches may be required. Good luck on finding good deals since the retailers know they’re scarce and there are people willing to pay, at the very least MSRP. Many buyers have the financial wherewithal to pay more. If you find someplace that offers any sort of discount, you better grab them quick, ‘cause iffin’ you go back a few hours later, good chance they’ll be gone.

Good luck in your search and buying success! 🍀


Thanks Palama, this is good info. Among some others I am looking for Hemingway Maduro Short Story Maduro but will probably get some bigger ones until I can find them. I already have some with the cameroon wrapper on the way.

Have you tried the Gran Reserva Cuban Corona Maduro or Rothchild Maduro? Is there a difference except for the size? The word Cuban makes me think it might be a slightly different blend.
PapaWhiskey Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 01-01-2023
Posts: 757
Ram27 wrote:
^ Glad to help. They are very good with choices and shipping.


I already have a cart load. They're going to love me. Herfing
Palama Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,680
PapaWhiskey wrote:
Thanks Palama, this is good info. Among some others I am looking for Hemingway Maduro Short Story Maduro but will probably get some bigger ones until I can find them. I already have some with the cameroon wrapper on the way.

I love the Hemingway Maddies, they are definitely one of my favorites. As far as the SS Maddies, they get snapped up quickly so you’ll almost be forced to buy whatever you can whenever you find them. Of course you can wait but don’t say I didn’t warn you. Not talking My favorite in the Hemingway Maduro line is the Best Seller. And while I’mma big fan of the Hemi Sig Mad, I prefer the Sun Grown version.

Once you satiate your Hemi Maddie quest, try the Anejo series. Unless you’re a Commie loving waffle lover, the #46 is all you need to seek out. And mebbe a few #77 Sharks as a special occasion smoke.

Iffin’ your wife hasn’t divorced you by then, then try the Magnum series. By then you’ll have shaken off your evil waffle ways and came to the realization that pancakes rule the world. At that point in time, start with the R44 and stop right there. You still wanna try the other vitolas? Go ahead, your money not mine but don’t you dare come crawling back, apologizing for not listening to me!


Have you tried the Gran Reserva Cuban Corona Maduro or Rothchild Maduro? Is there a difference except for the size? The word Cuban makes me think it might be a slightly different blend.

Yes I have but I haven’t had a Cuban Corona Maduro in quite awhile so can’t really comment. However, I’ll say this, once you’ve had a few Hemi Mads, Anejos and R44s, it won’t matter anymore. But, if you gotta satisfy your curiosity, go ahead (…but I wouldn’t buy more than a couple of singles, at best.


LeeBot Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2020
Posts: 2,001
It's like Fuente University over here.


I want a letter jacket.Cool
Mr. Jones Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,421
Those two douche bags in AEROSMITH...

JOE PERRY
And
Steven Tyler

Always corner the market every freaking year for the last decade...they each have a standing order of 100 boxes of the
Hemingway short story Maduro and Connecticut...
Which puts a dent in the supply...
200 boxes never see an "shpo"...
I think they got their drummer hooked on them too?
Plus RUN DMC hopped on the short story band wagon along with many hip hop musicians with $$$ millions to spend..


Good luck P.E.O.N. BOOOOOIIIIIII !!!
YOUR JUST A REGULAR GUY WITH NO CONNECTIONS...
Mr. Jones Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,421
Also...

Actor and millionaire

Andy Garcia gets first DIBS ON ANY CIGAR THEY PRODUCE...

HE BUYS PALLETS OF THEM...

THEY CALL Eeeeeeeeeeem'

"The Fuente King" in L.A....

A well known fact among industry insiders...
Mr. Jones Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,421
April 4 ,2017

An entire shipping container was stolen in america...America....
After being unloaded at the dock in Port everglades, fla and hooked to a semi truck headed to the Tampa , fla. Warehouse...

It never arrived....

This has "MOB" HIEST WRITTEN ALL OVER IT...

WAS NEVER SOLVED TO MY KNOWLEDGE?

SOME peeps claim getting boxes of them with no seals or tax stamps...
Somebody farmed them out in small quantities to unscrupulous
Sellers...

Hundreds of thousands of cigars were in that 40 foot long ocean container.
Mr. Jones Offline
#18 Posted:
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,421
April 4 ,2017

An entire shipping container was stolen in america...America....
After being unloaded at the dock in Port everglades, fla and hooked to a semi truck headed to the Tampa , fla. Warehouse...

It never arrived....

This has "MOB" HIEST WRITTEN ALL OVER IT...

WAS NEVER SOLVED TO MY KNOWLEDGE?

SOME peeps claim getting boxes of them with no seals or tax stamps...
Somebody farmed them out in small quantities to unscrupulous
Sellers...

Hundreds of thousands of cigars were in that 40 foot long ocean container.
Palama Offline
#19 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,680
Mr. Jones wrote:
Those two douche bags in AEROSMITH...

JOE PERRY
And
Steven Tyler

Always corner the market every freaking year for the last decade...they each have a standing order of 100 boxes of the
Hemingway short story Maduro and Connecticut...
Which puts a dent in the supply...
200 boxes never see an "shpo"...
I think they got their drummer hooked on them too?
Plus RUN DMC hopped on the short story band wagon along with many hip hop musicians with $$$ millions to spend..


Good luck P.E.O.N. BOOOOOIIIIIII !!!
YOUR JUST A REGULAR GUY WITH NO CONNECTIONS...


Damn! There’s a Connecticut version too? OhMyGod

But okay, iffin’ Joe and Steve are hoarding all the Connie wrapped SS then I can see why I’ve never heard of them.

Bassturds! ram27bat
Palama Offline
#20 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,680
Mr. Jones wrote:
Also...

Actor and millionaire

Andy Garcia gets first DIBS ON ANY CIGAR THEY PRODUCE...

HE BUYS PALLETS OF THEM...

THEY CALL Eeeeeeeeeeem'

"The Fuente King" in L.A....

A well known fact among industry insiders...


I thought Andy only smoked Opus X Lost City Double Robustos? Think
Mr. Jones Offline
#21 Posted:
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,421
Word on the street is....

8trackdisco was wintering in Tampa, Florida from jan.1 ,2017
Then returned home on May 31, 2017....
Also the "Arab street" news in DUBAI said some wacky American was wholesaleING HOT MERCH on fast zodiac boats from
Solar, Oman...AT great great prices...

8track returned to the U.S. IN AUGUST OF 2017...
Wearing a SHEMAGH AND KEFFIYEH hiding his suntan...
LARGE AND IN CHARGE...

HE WAS SEEN LIGHTING copius amounts of OPUS X AND DON CARLOS WITH FLAMING $100 DOLLAR BILLS...
WHILST SCREAMING OUT loudly...

"Bwuuuuhahahahaha !!!! "
PapaWhiskey Offline
#22 Posted:
Joined: 01-01-2023
Posts: 757
I love the all the great info in this thread. Thank you all!

Palama, Excellent suggestions, thank you. I found many new cigar sites today and have some great cigars on the way but as you said those Hemmingway Short Story Maduro are hard to come by. I found some for $240/box from a site in DR but held off... Though now I'm thinking ahh just an extra $70... I'll probably cave.
Mr. Jones Offline
#23 Posted:
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,421
Get to know the "F.O.G.'s" on this site...
With the inside track news...
Hell , I'm a newbie at 2005 start date...compared to some super super knowledgeable guys on here...
I am a NEOPHYTE COMPARED TO THEM...

BUT ask me about "tradecraft", & "THE Apian Way run" from Tennessee river valley authorities in non descript buicks to savannah ,GA and driving unkown merch for BIG MONEY $$$ from point A to point B in "HOT ZONES" ALL OVER the globe...and I gots dem' A.L.L. beat......
PapaWhiskey Offline
#24 Posted:
Joined: 01-01-2023
Posts: 757
While were learning about Arturo Fuente cigars. Check this great post by docbp87 borrowed from the link below.
https://forum.cigar.com/discussion/414846

docbp87
docbp87 Posts: 3,521 ✭
January 2012
You know what? I think I'll go ahead and do this. See you in an hour...

A. FUENTE GRAN RESERVA
Available in a huge number of sizes. Mild to medium bodied, Cameroon wrapper. Green bottom band:
Rothschild - 4 1/2 x 50
Corona - 5 1/4 x 45
Corona Imperial - 6 1/2 x 46
Canones - 8 1/2 x 52
Churchill - 7 1/4 x 48
Seleccion Privada no.1 - 6 1/4 x 44
Spanish Lonsdale - 6 1/2 x 42
Petit Corona - 5 x 38


FLOR FINA 8-5-8
One size, 5 wrappers. Filler blend is the same. Cameroon, Maduro, and Claro wrappers are regular releases. The Sungrown and Rosado wrappers are special, limited releases for various occasions. Regular releases have no regular green bottom band. 858 Sungrown has black bottom band, black cloth foot ribbon, and cedar sleeve. Cello on all 858 says FLOR FINA 8-5-8 in gold
Flor Fina 8-5-8 - 6 1/4 x 47


CHATEAU FUENTE
Series of sizes, available in several wrappers (Maduro, Connecticut, or Sungrown). Also contains several cigars with a special blend/wrapper combo. Different cigars in this line have different bands. Maduro and Connecticut wrappers have green bottom band. Sungrown cigars have black bottom bands. Noted below if more complicated. All have cedar sleeves.
Royal Salute - 7 5/8 x 54
Double Chateau Fuente - 6 3/4 x 50
Chateau Fuente - 4 1/2 x 50
Belicoso - 5 3/4 x 52
Chateau Pyramid - 6 x 52 (Green band, red foot cloth band, cedar, Connecticut wrapper)
King-T - 7 x 49 (Green band, Tubed)
King B - 6 x 55 (Black band, cedar, black foot ribbon. Rosado wrapper from the Olivas. Cello says King B.)
Queen B - 5 1/2 x 50 (black band, red foot ribbon, cedar, Queen B cello, Sungrown wrapper)


CURLY HEAD
Medium filler, bargain cigar. Difference between the Curly Head and the Curly Head deluxe is the appearance (quality of wrapper), and the fact that it has a band.
Curly Head - 6 1/2 x 43


ROSADO GRAN RESERVA MAGNUM R
Using what Carlito calls "old school blending" the Magnums represent a milder, sweeter Fuente, with an aged Sungrown Rosado wrapper. Recently there is word of a petit corona size included with limited 100th Anniversary releases. Large, white, red, and gold band that says Rosado Gran Reserva.
Magnum 52 - 5 x 52
Magnum 54 - 6 1/2 x 54
Magnum 56 - 5 5/8 x 56
Magnum 58 - 5 1/4 x 58


DON CARLOS
Aged fillers, Cameroon wrapper. Medium bodied blend. Black bottom band.
No. 4 - 5 1/8 x 43
No. 3 - 5 1/2 x 44
No. 2 - 6 x 55 (Torpedo)
Robusto - 5 1/4 x 50
Belicoso - 5 3/8 x 52
Double Robusto - 5 3/4 x 52
Presidente - 6 1/2 x 50


HEMINGWAY
Another Medium bodied cigar, using Cameroon wrapper. Originally conceived as a way to resurrect the perfecto shaped cigars Arturo Fuente made... back in the day. Available year round with a Cameroon wrapper, select sizes available a few times a year with Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper, and in really rare cases, Sungrown or Rosado wrappers (sungrown Hemis look JUST like the Cameroon, Rosados have a cedar sleeve, green bottom band, and red foot ribbon). Regular Hemingway releases (including maduro) are all perfectos, and have black bottom bands.
Short Story - 4 x 49
Best Seller - 4 1/2 x 55
Work of Art - 4 7/8 x 60
Signature - 6 x 46
Classic - 7 x 46
Masterpiece - 9 x 52
Untold Story - 7 5/8 x 54 (regularly only available in Maduro, and at holiday release time)
Between the Lines - 4 1/2 x 54 (barber pole, Connecticut Shade and Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro, Holiday release)


ANEJO
In 1998 a Hurrican devastated Chateau de la Fuente, and wiped out much of the Opus X wrapper crop... so they adjusted the blend, and used an aged Connecticut Maduro wrapper, finished in Cognac barrels. All but the "Shark" are cedar wrapped, with white bottom bands that say Anejo, and red foot ribbons. A holiday release, in small numbers. Cellophane says RESERVA XTRA VIEJO on it in gold letters.
No. 46 - 5 5/8 x 46
No. 50 - 5 1/4 x 50
No. 55 - 6 x 55 (Pyramid)
No. 60 - 6 1/4 x 48
No. 48 - 7 x 48
No. 49 - 7 5/8 x 49


OPUS X
The jewel in Fuente's crown, Opus X was originally a project Carlito undertook to prove that great wrapper could be grown in the Dominican Republic, and in my opinion at least, it was a success. First released in 1995, it has been a hit, ever since... but production numbers compared to other Fuente cigars are limited. Released to the market usually at Father's Day and Christmas time. Band is distinctive as hell. Honestly, I don't want to list all 5000000 sizes of Opus X. Look it up.


GOD OF FIRE
Not really a "Fuente" cigar as much as it is a contract cigar made in conjunction with Prometheus, a high end Humidor, lighter, cutter, etc. company. Released annually, there are two regular God of Fire blends, one blended by Carlos Fuente Sr, which uses Dominican filler and binder, and an Ecuador Rosado wrapper, and one from his son Carlito Fuente, which uses an aged Cameroon wrapper around Dominican filler and binder. A variety of sizes are released annually in both blends, though there is usually no vitola overlap between the two blends. Band is red and gold, with a detailed color image of Prometheus (of Greek mythology fame) being tormented, lashed to the mountain, with an Eagle eating his liver.


GOD OF FIRE SERIE B.
Another contract cigar made by Fuente for Prometheus. This time with either a dark Ecuador Sungrown wrapper, or a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. Aside from the darker wrappers, the second band is black and says Serie B.


OPUS X THE LOST CITY
In 2004, Andy Garcia shot the film The Lost City, and asked the Fuentes to allow scenes set in tobacco fields to be shot at Chateau de la Fuente. Problem? Already harvested tobacco... So they planted a new crop in time for it to be fully grown for the film shooting. Once finished, they went ahead and harvested the tobacco, aged it, and found that it was actually pretty good, despite having been grown in the off season. They further aged the tobacco, and rolled it in a series of vitolas, and sold them with Forbidden X bands (albeit, colored differently. The big X is red on regular Forbidden X cigars, while it is Black on Lost City cigars) and a second "LOST CITY" band. When first released, two sizes, the lancero and the love affair, were banded with red bands, rather than black, and did not actually contain any of the Lost City crop (rather they were just regular Opus X cigars in special sizes). My understanding is that the most recent release, which now have regular black Lost City bands, are "actual" lost city cigars.
Double Robusto - 5 3/4 x 52
Lancero - 7 1/2 x 41
Love Affair - 4 5/8 x 52
New Perfecto - 7 x 44 (nipple tipped, round head, long perfecto vitola)
Pyramide - 6 x 52
Robusto - 5 1/4 x 50
Toro - 6 3/4 x 48


CASA FUENTE
A special blend released only for sale at Casa Fuente at the Forum Shops in Las Vegas (and occasionally at Fuente events at places like Holt's, which the Fuentes have some connection to), the Casa Fuente line is a tweaked Opus X blend, that uses an aged Cameroon wrapper. All have the Casa Fuente band, and an orange foot ribbon. Cellophane on all cigars except the Lancero also say Casa Fuente on them in gold. Lancero and Double Robusto come cedar sleeved. The Lancero is something special, as it is not a regularly available cigar at Casa (though it seems to be there MOST of the time), and buyers are limited to 2 singles per day, unless of course they have the correct bribes for the manager, and know the secret handshake. In some rare, planetary alignment like moments, entire bundles of lanceros have been sold, for around 500 bucks.
Double Corona - 7 5/8 x 49
Churchill - 7 x 47
Pyramid No. 2 - 6 3/8 x 52
Belicosos Finos - 5 5/8 x 52
Double Robusto - 5 3/4 x 52
Corona Gorda - 5 5/8 x 46
Robusto - 5 1/4 x 50
Lancero - 7 1/2 x 41 (limited availability)


So I guess that was a really long winded way of saying that three different lines use the black bottom band. The way to tell them apart is that ALL Hemingways are perfectos, all Sungrowns have a cedar sleeve and black foot ribbon, and the Don Carlos line uses the black band, has no perfectos, and uses no ribbons or cedar sleeves. Anyway, hopefully this basic guide to Fuente is helpful to someone, some time.


PapaWhiskey Offline
#25 Posted:
Joined: 01-01-2023
Posts: 757
Palama wrote:
Once you satiate your Hemi Maddie quest, try the Anejo series. Unless you’re a Commie loving waffle lover, the #46 is all you need to seek out.

I tried an Anejo #50 today and oh my goodness, I love it. I'm going to need more of these. Thank you for the tip Conan! I have to say I do like waffles but pancakes are better. Either one must be dressed with butter and real maple syrup.
delta1 Offline
#26 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,784
Nice Fuente compendium you've unearthed, Papa Whiskey...docpb87 put it together about 11 years ago...

since that time, another line was released: Casa Cuba

your homework assignment: https://arturofuente.com/our-cigars/casa-cuba/
PapaWhiskey Offline
#27 Posted:
Joined: 01-01-2023
Posts: 757
delta1 wrote:
Nice Fuente compendium you've unearthed, Papa Whiskey...docpb87 put it together about 11 years ago...

since that time, another line was released: Casa Cuba

your homework assignment: https://arturofuente.com/our-cigars/casa-cuba/

That's a fine looking cigar. I've been looking for Casa Cuba in the local shops but haven't found it yet. This might be a good quest for this weekend.
ZRX1200 Offline
#28 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,599
Except they cedar sleeves and black bands don’t hold true every year,,….so there’s that. Just like it’s also not true every time on the 858 Rosados.

Best way to tell is the BOX. It states on the box no matter what iteration of blend/year is released.

FYI.
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