I had my first AF Hemingway last night. It was OK but not worth the $10 I paid for it. IMHO it is over rated and over hyped. I know this my sound funny but I like the AF "curly head" deluxe maduro better. I have 2 AF Don Carlos resting and I hope they are better.

... never judge an entire line of cigars on the very first one you smoke ...

IMHO the Hemingway line is too mild but the Don Carlos line is medium to full bodied and more complex. Better flavor also. Favorites are the No.2 and Presidente. The exception I've experienced in the Hemingway line are the maduros; those are simply incredible smokes especially the Untold Story and Work of Art maduros...if you can find them.

jd1 --- have you ever tired a Hemingway Classic or Signature Maduro, or one of the Hemi Classic Sun Grown?

How about a 'Work of Art' Natural, or better yet ... the Maduro?

While some may consider these 'mild' cigars ... I don't happen to be one of them ... 😉

jd1: I would agree with you "too mild"

Slim: I am not judging the entire line just the "Hemingway" natural I had. For less than $10 I could have had bettter smokes including;Padron 4000 & 5000,Oliva "O"and Bucanero to name a few.

Try the short story. Great smoke. Usually less than $6.

I am personally a big fan of just about anything that has the name Fuente attached to it. I agree that there are other cigars out there that are more powerful than the Hemingways, but I honestly feel that if taken on its own terms in regard to strength, taste, etc. the Hemi is one of the best there is (but this is my opionion and not everyone else will agree with me).

Also, it is your right to not have to like the Hemingways just because the majority does - in fact, I am not a huge fan of PAM 64's like everyone else seems to be (this will probably get me slapped). We each have preferences of what we like and dislike (so if you are worried about those Don Carlos I would be happy to give them a good home for you...LOL).

I enjoy the Hemis - especially the Work of Arts. I think it's a stretch to call any Hemi 'too mild', but I guess it's all relative to what you typically smoke. IMHO - they are a great medium-bodied stick. What I really love about them is the superior construction. I've never had one that didn't burn well or didn't have an awesome draw. One of most consistently good cigars I've had.

funjohnny19

Slim; I mentioned that the maduros were the exception. I've not tried the Hemi Classic sungrown but I venture to guess it's the same or slightly better than the 858. I've also not tried the Work of Art nat but it's more than likely the same blend as the other Hemis just a different shape. I do have some of the nat Hemis on hand for when I want an early morning smoke with coffee.

I like the hemis but did not care for my frst don Carlos...go figure. I've got a bunch of Short Story and Work of Art Naturals and didn't even realize they came in Maduro so off to the trade board!

What a coincidence! I had my first Hemingway Signature last night. Is the Nat. a Cameroon wrapper? It was nice, kind of mild, a little sweet. But not great. I admit though that I normally smoke dark wrapper fuller bodied cigars. I look forward to trying the maduro!

I normally smoke the stronger, full-bodied sticks. The AFH Classic stays in my regular rotation as a medium-bodied cigar that tastes like a piece of chocolate cake after a nice meal. It's not going to knock you on your backside, but it's top-shelf of the medium bodied cigars, IMHO.

Rasta --- while the Work of Art Maduro can be found around the holiday season ... good luck in finding a Best Seller Maduro.

I'm not sure if they were even made (it is not one of the regular production cigar) ... and if they were, they would be very rare!

Oops ... that goes for the Short Story Maduro as well ... 😉

Just enjoyed a short story while watching a big storm bring much needed rain and cooler temps. Those little guys pack a tasty punch.

I just PU a 5pack of Best Sellers and Sigs in Maddy. I'll have to give one of them a whirl. X

All the Hemingways I've seen have looked to be the same wrapper. The boxes haven't specified (natural or otherwise). The bands have always had black at the bottom (which I was under the impression implicated a sungrown wrapper). How do you know which you are looking at (minus the possible obviousness of a maduro)?

All Hemingways have a tapered foot. Sungrowns and Don Carlos do not. The box will indicate it's maduro with a red sticker or something similar.

Slim, thanks for that information. I will start my search. I smoked a Masterpiece Maduro last night which I understand is somewhat rare as well. That thing was looooooong!

I meant, how do you know which of the Hemis you're looking at. I am familiar with the Don Carlos and such. I had just never seen (as far as I knew) a sungrown or maduro Hemi. I didn't know if I was missing something obvious, or they just aren't around.