1 review for Arturo Fuente Hemingway Between the Lines
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Arturo Fuente Hemingway Between the Lines
Overall Score
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Joe K
Format : Figurado
Size : 4.5 x 54
Wrapper : Barber Pole (Connecticut)
Binder : Dominican Republic
Filler : Dominican Republic
Hand-Made
Price : $14.25 (usually found higher)
The Hemingway Between the Lines (BTL) was my holy grail of cigars when I first started in the hobby. From the initial time I saw one I set to acquiring my own and although shortly after I realized that while they are not the easiest to come by, they are not really impossible to find. Regardless, I was still excited to have purchased one and stored it away for a future time. Recently, I had gotten over being sick and decided to celebrate with a smoke.
The BTL’s barber pole design is made up of a combination of Connecticut shade grown and Connecticut broadleaf maduro. Several other companies and even Fuente lines have used the same design but the Hemmingway’s figurado shape and perfecto tip lend it an even more distinctly appealing look. The classic red Fuente Hemmingway band creates a perfect finishing touch to finish off a fine looking cigar.
In classic Fuente tradition, little is known about the rest of the cigar’s makeup beyond the fact that it is likely Dominican in origin. The filler is very solid with little to no give, perhaps even a bit too firm and lacking spring. The nose of the cigar is of sweet quality tobacco. Cutting the head reveals a fairly tight draw, which is common amongst cigars utilizing the perfecto tip because of their very narrow opening. Not much flavor is present pre-light.
Upon lighting, the cigar proves to have a fairly dry mouthfeel and lacks an overwhelming amount of flavor. After passing the perfecto tip, the taste opens up some and adds in sweeter notes of sugar. Burning to the widest point of the cigar, the draw reaches a perfect tightness and hay becomes evident. While unable to place it at this time, there is a very unique smell exuded when retrohaling, I only wish I am able to point out what it is because it is not at all unpleasant. Shortly after this, the cigar becomes a little bolder with the addition of leather and cedar.
After finishing out this cigar I am left a little disappointed. While my expectations were high, I did try to keep them realistic. The hay and tobacco at the onset was good but nothing exceptional and the cedar and leather, while rich, were too little too late. I think if those two tones had been presented earlier on, the overall flavor profile of this cigar would have been higher. Additionally, the more of the Hemingway line I sample, the more I am led to believe that the extreme figurado shape combined with the perfecto tip actually detracts from the experience because they cause too much differentiation in the draw. This is especially true in such a short smoke where these types of changes are more apparent. If given the choice between a Short Story and a Between the Lines I would choose the former every time.
Appearance : [rating:4.5/5]
Construction : [rating:4.5/5]
Flavor : [rating:3.5/5]
Value : [rating:3/5]
Overall Rating : [rating:3.75/5] (3.75)
[sz]arturo fuente hemingway[/sz]
Jose Ovalles
Between the lines, the best Cigar for a “short” smoked, but the most for a breakfast..what a short!..
John H
A friend and I usually add this cigar to our Christmas selection from Fuente…along with some other choices that we pick once a year. I agree it’s not what it should be for the price, but it’s one of those annual event sorts of things.
I do find that if the tip is clipped a bit before lighting, the draw starts out much better and the flavor is enhanced much sooner. I know this is probably sacrilegious to many, but it helps the cigar reach its peak so to me it’s okay.
Merry Christmas to all.