Arturo Fuente Unnamed Reserve 2021 – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

The Arturo Fuente Unnamed Reserve is one of the more mysterious lines from Fuente. This is more of a collection of different blends as opposed to a line of cigars, with each year and release having a different size and blend. The original Unnamed Reserve came out in 2012, since then, there have been 6 other cigars in the collection, including the one we are reviewing today, Arturo Fuente Unnamed Reserve 2021.

The most recent iteration is the Unnamed Reserve 2021. The size is a 5 3/4 x 48 corona gorda which happens to be the same size as the first release. The blend uses a sun grown rosado wrapper, and Dominican tobacco for the binder and filler. Something special about this particular release was that the cigars were actually rolled in 2016, and can you see on the cellophane it says ProducXion 2016. Like all previous Unnamed Reserve, this is a limited production. Only 1,000 boxes of 20 were made. Each cigar has an MSRP of $10.93.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: 5 3/4″
Ring Gauge: 48
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Sun Grown Rosado
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia
Blender: Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr.
Number of reviewers: 4 – Mickey T. (irratebass) Kevin A. (Kevin A.) John A. (Bostoneo) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Price: $10.93
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: September 2021
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff

Initial Impressions – Arturo Fuente Unnamed Reserve 2021

Appearance: 88

“Very good looking milk chocolate-colored oily wrapper with nicely done seams and a little bit of tooth. The cap application is a little rough, but not overly so. There is some marbling throughout, and a few raised veins. The surface of the cigar is quite bumpy. The cigar seems correctly filled as there are no soft spots detectible from foot to cap.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Aroma: 90

“On the body, I pick up date, wood, clove, floral, and some barnyard. On the foot I mostly pick up potpourri.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

First Third

Flavor: 86
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The cigar starts off with some mellow white pepper and toasted almonds, with a little floral on the finish. Getting just slightly farther in, a strong anise note appears and sits heavily on the tongue. Burn is pretty good with a slight wobble, but the draw is a little bit on the tight side. I need to take multiple puffs to get a mouth full of smoke. Just a little farther in, the pepper notes become more of a fresh ground black pepper, and there is a creaminess underneath really smoothing out that pepper note, and making it hang out on the tongue. Strength is medium, while the body is more into the medium-full range.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“Upon lighting up I am greeted with a punch to the face of charred notes. As the cigar levels off, a medium-full bodied profile of white and black pepper, leather, and vanilla cream on the backend for this straightforward third.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Second Third

Flavor: 87
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The second portion of this cigar has the draw remaining tight and the resulting smoke has remained hot and bitter for the most part. On occasion, I’m able to pick up some woodsy notes that are promising but they are largely wiped out by the sharp bitterness that is heavily in the forefront.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“Getting through this cigar is a real challenge. Not only am I dealing with burn issues, but now there is tar. I am throwing in the towel.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Finally the draw on this sample is starting to open up and I’m getting a completely different profile. The flavors are still dark but instead of burned wood, I’m getting black coffee which I love and even a hint of licorice which is really special. The smoke is now thick and plentiful and much cooler since I’m not having to work so hard. Through the nose, surprisingly, the smoke is now full of black pepper zing which is a complete switch from the burnt sugar I had in the beginning.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“The bitterness ends almost immediately going into the final part of the cigar. Anise returns on the retrohale, with the main notes on the palate being cacao, citrus and floral. The creaminess present early on that was missing in the middle part of the cigar returns as well as a strong saltiness, making for an overall smooth, citrusy, salty, and spicy finish to the cigar. To be honest, the way the cigar was heading, I am very surprised that it ended up here. Strength and body all remain the same. I am really impressed here.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Overall Impressions – Arturo Fuente Unnamed Reserve 2021

Draw: 86

“Started out too tight, but improved as it smoked.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Burn: 88

“The burn was mostly straight for the duration of the smoke but there were issues with the cigar going out and requiring a relight. I’ll attribute that mostly to the tight draw but it was frustrating to have to keep reaching for the lighter.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Construction: 87

“Overall construction was good, however, I feel the bunch wasn’t put together evenly causing the canoeing effect.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 88

“Almost two hours smoking this. I could not get a good toke unless I puffed several times. The burn was very uneven, and then tar came into the picture, probably because of the excessive puffing.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“This cigar ended up being a pleasant surprise. The flavor notes during the prelight translated into the initial portions of the cigar so it started as expected. Not really sure where the bitterness came from in the mid part, but the final inch and a half more than made up for it. I am feeling like this is one of the Southern Draw Peccadillos, it just had that “vibe” I am looking forward to having some of these in the humi!” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“Overall, this cigar was very consistent in terms of flavor. A few burn issues tended to rear their heads a few times during this session, requiring multiple touchups as it liked to spoon. If you enjoy medium to full-bodied notes of leather, cream, oak, and pepper, this cigar will be right up your alley. I did enjoy this sample; however I would like a non-linear experience…” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“I experienced issues with this sample that really turned me off from the first cold draw. When the draw finally opened up the smoke was nice but it was a little late for me. If the beginning was like the ending then I would have fully enjoyed this…as it stands, however, I’d have to pass on another.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 84

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Arturo Fuente Unnamed Reserve 2021 – Blind Cigar Review