Arturo Fuente Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s Signature – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

In 2020, Arturo Fuente announced a new ultra limited release, Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s. This new series was inspired by the social upheavals that took place during the 1960’s and had a big impact on Carlito Fuente‘s life. Arturo Fuente donates $13 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for every box sold. Liana Fuente, daughter of Carlito Fuente, has lead an effort at the company and throughout the industry to raise awareness for breast cancer and raise money to fight it.

The blend for the Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s uses an Ecuadorian wrapper, and fillers from both the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, including Fuente owned farms in Estelí. It launched in four sizes, all of which are in a perfecto shape and are from the Fuente Hemmingway line: Short Story (4 x 42/49) – $7.40, Signature (6 x 46) – $9.95, Work of Art (4 7/8 x 46/60) – $10.35, and Happy Ending (5 1/2 x 53) – $11.85. Two new sizes were added this year, a 3 3/4 x 54 perfecto and a 7 1/4 x 53 perfecto. There is also a planned 7_^th size that Carlito Fuente Jr. describes as a Lancero Figurado that will mostly likely not ship until next year. This cigar is harder to find than anyone anticipated, and if you find it, you will almost certainly pay a lot over the retail asking price.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Perfecto
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 46
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia
Blender: Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr.
Number of reviewers: 4 – Alan (Eulogy) Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Mickey T. (irratebass) John A. (Bostoneo)
Price: $9.95
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: December 2020
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff

Initial Impressions – Arturo Fuente Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s Signature

Appearance: 93

“A beautiful perfecto shaped cigar with only a few veins and not too toothy.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Aroma: 90

“Fruity leather with a spicy hay aftertaste awakens my senses on a cold draw. On the nose, scents of musty leather flood the nostrils.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

First Third

Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Lighting up the small, tapered end, the flavors start to pour in with soapy leather with a peppery finish. Moving up and past the tapered end, this profile shifts to a medium-bodied, low strength, graphite, leather, and black pepper that lasts until the end of this third.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“I only pick up sea salt on the cold draw. There is heavy wintergreen/spearmint right at the beginning then followed by a mustiness with hints of cream and chocolate to round it all out. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The core notes are the same as the first third. The only real difference is that the grassy note is a far removed background note. The core flavors have picked up a richness to them that was missing. A slightly spicy red pepper note is lingering longer on the palate and with a bit more oomph. Oaky, oily tobacco and rich leather now make up the rest of the profile. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Profile straightens up quite a bit thankfully. Peanuts become detectable bitterness lessens which really improves a lot. Burn and draw both performing nicely. Cream puts on his big boy pants. The first third was rough but paying off now. Bitterness is now gone.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Final Third

Flavor: 83
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Intense peppery cream begins the final third with a medium-full bodied experience. Approaching the last two and a half inches, the cigar begins to become very bitter, signaling me to put this one down to rest.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“Cream the only note besides the bitter tartness that returns greater than before, and I got to chuck it without finishing. I really had high hopes at the middle point of the second third. Such a disappointment.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Overall Impressions – Arturo Fuente Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s Signature

Draw: 93

“Just a touch looser than I like it but that is me being very picky. The smoke output was creamy and abundant from start to finish.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Burn: 94

“Surprisingly good burn considering the shape of this cigar.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Construction: 92

“Very well done in all facets. The body was firm to the touch prelight, the cap was very large and well applied, and the shape takes a special skill to make.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 90

“I was a little unsure when I started smoking this since it was so grassy at the beginning. That quickly dropped to the wayside and I was left with a rich creamy cigar. If you like smoking something an old-timey villain would pick some of these up. It is a classic tobacco-forward profile that performs great.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“With the draw and burn performing as well as they did I can’t say this stick is a total loss. And there were times when the profile was enjoyable. I wouldn’t want to smoke another.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“Ok, so I am not going to give this cigar a bad review. I blame myself and I should have v-cut it. I would like to try this again because I was enjoying it.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Overall, this was a damn tasty cigar. Perfect construction, burn, and draw made this an absolute delight to smoke as tons of medium+ bodied flavors came into play; mainly leather, black pepper, and cream. I could see myself smoking this cigar again and again as it just came together so well. Try these!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 83

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Arturo Fuente Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s Signature – Blind Cigar Review