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OpusX 25 Perfecto Gets Nationwide Release

OpusX 25 Perfecto Gets Nationwide Release

After a very small shipment late last year, the OpusX 25 Perfecto is arriving at stores nationwide. In the last week, Arturo Fuente has shipped hundreds of boxes of the cigar, which is formally called the Fuente Fuente OpusX La Familia X to the 25th Power. Each box doubles as a humidor, complete with 20 cigars, a removable tray and Boveda humidification via a false floor. In total, the entire package weighs more than 17 pounds. The MSRP for a full box is $1,660, though Arturo Fuente has said that it considers the cigar’s MSRP to be $58, while the humidor box that the cigars come in has an MSRP of $500. READ MORE
Cigar Family Charitable Foundation Opens New Academy of Arts

Cigar Family Charitable Foundation Opens New Academy of Arts

December 5, 2024

This new center will provide Dominican students with opportunities to develop careers in the arts.

Yesterday, the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation (CFCF) celebrated the opening of its new Cigar Family Academy of Arts. With generous support from Hublot, this new center furthers the Fuente and Newman families’ goals of providing children in the Dominican Republic a diverse range of educational and career opportunities. Located in the 23-acre Cigar Family project in Bonao, Dominican Republic, the Cigar Family Academy of Arts includes four new buildings for music, arts, and dance programs along with an amphitheater for performances. The Cigar Family Academy of Arts will allow CFCF to expand its curriculum to support students who wish to pursue careers in the arts. “I am enormously grateful to my friends at Hublot for supporting the creation of our new Academy of Arts,” said CFCF co-founder Carlos Fuente, Jr. “This beautiful, state-of-the-art facility will give new opportunities to children in the Dominican Republic to pursue their passion and talent in the arts.” The grand opening celebration was attended by 100 people, including the Fuente and Newman families, executives from Hublot, local dignitaries, and Grammy Award-winning Artist Arturo Sandoval, who inaugurated the new amphitheater with a performance. The Music School at this new academy will be named in honor of this legendary musician. Arturo Sandoval is a multi-award-winning jazz trumpeter, pianist, and composer. He has received the Latin Grammys Lifetime Achievement Award, multiple Grammys, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and is a Kennedy Center Honors recipient. Arturo has been a passionate supporter of CFCF, and he will be an inspiring mentor and guiding light for the music students at the new Cigar Family Charitable Foundation Academy of Arts. “I want to thank all of the cigar enthusiasts around the world who support CFCF and the children and families it serves through their generous donations or by purchasing a Toast Across America pack,” said CFCF co-founder Eric M. Newman. “Because the Fuente and Newman families underwrite all of CFCF’s operating costs, every dollar raised goes directly to help children in need.” This year, 440 students are attending CFCF’s primary school, high school, technical school, and arts academy.  Since 2004, CFCF has invested more than $20 million to support these programs. The Cigar Family project has received numerous accolades from the government of the Dominican Republic, the United Nations, and others. It has been showcased as an example for how businesses and consumers can come together to provide transformational opportunities to improve the lives of low-income children and their families. “Today was a very special day, a day that should make all of us proud,” said CFCF CEO Scott Lewis. “Words and pictures cannot convey how wonderful this project has turned out. The Cigar Family Academy of Arts will give our students the opportunity to express their creativity in so many ways while they learn and challenge themselves in each of these disciplines.”

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Hublot Just Dropped a New Classic Fusion Chronograph Arturo Fuente Edition

Hublot Just Dropped a New Classic Fusion Chronograph Arturo Fuente Edition

Robb Report By Allen Farmelo

Hublot just launched the new Classic Fusion Chronograph Arturo Fuente King Gold to celebrate the 25th anniversary of one of the very best Dominican cigars ever made. This 18-carat “King Gold” watch with the OpusX cigar logo is limited to just 50 pieces and will cost $40,500.

This isn’t the only Fuente-Hublot collab watch, but there are some unique features to be found here. This is the first time a Fuente edition is at 42 mm, which is a great size for this type of chronograph, and the case and bezel are in King Gold for the first time. The bezel is engraved with tobacco leaves, and the caseback is similarly decorated.

As one who has paired cigars and watches—yes, this is a thing among a few of us horological smokers—I can say confidently that there is “a proper vibe” going on with this green fumé dial that reminds one of the Dominican’s lush forests where Fuente’s cigarmaking takes place. And to see the OpusX logo in the right-hand sub-dial creates a succinct echo of cigar’s band. That bezel engraving is spot-on for a smoker.

To understand the significance of this watch, one must understand the significance of Arturo Fuente cigars. So, allow me shift out of watch-writer mode and into cigar-smoker mode for a moment. Made in the Dominican Republic—from where I am currently typing away before heading to the El Cibao valley, where these cigars are made—Arturo Fuente has become a legendary name among American cigar smokers.

 

Specifically, the reason for this timepiece’s existence is a remarkable cigar known as the Fuente Fuente OpusX (FFOX). In short, this is one of the very best non-Cuban cigars ever produced—a legendary, award-winning stick Fuente has made for the past 25 years. The OpusX is a puro, meaning that the filer, binder, and wrapper all derive from the same country. I’ve smoked many FFOX over the years, and they are among my favorite full-bodied cigars. I’ve never had a bad one—always an even draw, a straight burn, and exceptional taste—and in cigars, consistency is the name of the game.

So, if there’s a cigar worthy of a solid-gold $40,500 Hublot chronograph, it is certainly the OpusX.

FULL STORY HERE
2024 Cigar Insider Retailer Survey: Top Brands In America

2024 Cigar Insider Retailer Survey: Top Brands In America

Nov 18, 2024 | By Gregory Mottola cigaraficionado.com Full Story We wanted to know the hottest premium cigar brands on the market, and retailers across the country didn’t hesitate to tell us. Cigar Insider—the twice monthly newsletter from Cigar Aficionado—polled 66 tobacconists representing 394 stores around the United States, and according to their feedback, the hottest brand in America comes from Arturo Fuente Cigar Co.: the Fuente Fuente OpusX. It’s a repeat of last year, as retailers in 2023 told us the same thing—OpusX is the hottest cigar in their humidors. Our survey, however, didn’t stop there. We also asked tobacconists about their best-selling brands by volume. Tobacconists spanning the 50 states were asked to name three brands as their hottest—the cigar brands requested most often by consumers. Hot brands, however, are not necessarily best sellers, as they aren’t always in stock, so this represents consumer demand, rather than sales volume. The winner was the Fuente Fuente OpusX, which isn’t a surprise given the storied history of the brand. Furthermore, an OpusX is Cigar Aficionado’s 2023 Cigar of the Year. There’s no denying the mystique and unique characteristics of the phenomenon that is OpusX. Its scarcity and sporadic release dates throughout the year might sometimes frustrate retailers and consumers alike, but the OpusX remains in high demand despite being on the market for nearly 30 years. It was named a hot brand by 39.4 percent of retailers. The cigar has been prized since it debuted in 1995. It’s positioned (and priced) as a luxury product and presented as the magnum opus of Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr., who defied the odds by growing Dominican wrappers after conventional wisdom dictated that it couldn’t be done. The Cuban-seed wrappers on OpusX are grown at Chateau de la Fuente in the Dominican Republic, and this all-Dominican cigar touted a full-bodied blend before strong cigars were popular. They remain difficult to obtain and are highly allocated much in the vein of high-end Burgundy wines or cult California Cabernets. To help meet demand, Fuente has since expanded the OpusX series with additional blends, so they are a bit more accessible than they were in the ’90s and 2000s. Nevertheless, they still occupy a special space on humidor shelves and are regarded as one of the finest brands in the world—and our ratings support the hype. Two cigars in the OpusX line have been named cigar of the year, including the Churchill-sized Reserva d’ Chateau, Cigar Aficionado’s reigning No. 1 cigar, with a rating of 97 points. Padrón was named as the second hottest brand in America (37.9 percent). The brand includes such cigars as the core “brown label” and Serie 1926. With its well-aged, sun-grown Nicaraguan tobaccos, the Serie 1926 is by no means inexpensive, but one of the stronger cigars in the portfolio. It was created in honor of the company founder’s birthday in 2002. The brown label has always offered tremendous value, as it’s indicative of Nicaragua’s rich soils while offering a good balance of rusticity and refinement without being too pricey. The third hottest brand was another one from Fuente, the company’s core Arturo Fuente line, which is made in the Dominican Republic, like the Fuente Fuente OpusX. This encompasses brands such as the Don Carlos (with its Cameroon wrapper), Rosado Sungrown Magnum R and Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s Series, all of which have appeared on Cigar Aficionado top 25 lists over the years. The Perdomo brand, made by Tabacalera Perdomo S.A., ranked fourth. Made in Estelí, the cigar capital of Nicaragua, Perdomo cigars come in a variety of strength levels and styles, all distinctly Nicaraguan, as the operation is vertically integrated. Cigars like the Champagne series have had a loyal fan base for years on account of its mild character, but the recent addition of Perdomo 30th Anniversary Sungrown series ushered in an era of high scores for the company, with ratings in Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Insider as high as 93 points. Two cigars tied for fifth place. Liga Privada from Drew Estate has a cult following with its strong blend and near-black Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. It tied with the Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series as the fifth hottest brand in America. The Padrón 1964 Anniversary Series Torpedo was Cigar Aficionado’s 2021 Cigar of the Year. It’s been on the market for 30 years; was the first Padrón cigar to incorporate more aged tobacco; and is credited for normalizing the box-pressed format in the industry. Both were named by 13.6 percent of retailers as one of their hottest brands. My Father Cigars claimed the No. 7 spot on our survey, with 12.1 percent of polled retailers naming this Nicaraguan brand as one of the hottest in the humidor. Cigars made by this family-owned company range from the namesake My Father, to all its offshoots such as My Father Le Bijou 1922, My Father The Judge and My Father La Gran Oferta. The family grows most of its own tobacco across Nicaragua. Tying for the No. 8 spot were La Flor Dominicana and Oliva, named by 10.6 percent of retailers as the eighth hottest cigar brand. La Flor Dominicana cigars are made in the Dominican Republic and defined by the strong fillers grown by Litto Gomez at his La Canela farm. This plot of land is located in an arid zone of the country and produces powerful, concentrated tobacco. Oliva Cigar Co. has been expanding slowly, acquiring more fields and building more factories in Nicaragua to answer demand for its popular—and consistently excellent—brands like the Serie V and Serie V Melanio (the Figurado was the Cigar of the Year in 2014). Davidoff and Rocky Patel came in tenth, rounding out the list of hottest brands in the United States.
Fuente Fundraiser Brings Nearly 500K For Charity

Fuente Fundraiser Brings Nearly 500K For Charity

Photos/Montana Dennis It was a cool October evening last week in Greenwich, Connecticut, and the trees along Perkins Drive still clung to their summer leaves, obscuring most of the gabled estates and gated manors along the road. This part of Connecticut, about 40 miles north of Manhattan, has a reputation for being the home to hedge fund managers, pro athletes and celebrities wanting to live outside the city—but not too far. In the middle of it all, the Burning Tree Country Club hosted one of the most exclusive cigar dinners of the season. And it raised nearly half a million dollars for charity. READ MORE
Arturo Fuente Global Impact 2024

Arturo Fuente Global Impact 2024

Our annual Arturo Fuente Global Impact Day is a celebration of the Fuente Family’s commitment to give back to the community and to make the world a more sustainable and loving environment. Arturo Fuente employees, family and associates worldwide all came together as one and volunteered in their respective local communities. This was a chance to make a difference and enact change, as well as to honor Carlito & Don Carlos for their birthdays. Tampa, Florida – Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay Dominican Republic – Unidad de Niños Quemados Dra. Thelma Rosario Nicaragua – Iglesia Macueliso Belgium – Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital Watch Video Here
2023 Smokin Tabacco Awards: Person of the Year – Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr.

2023 Smokin Tabacco Awards: Person of the Year – Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr.

JANUARY 23, 2024 BY MATTHEW TABACCO If you have picked up a cigar more than once in the last twelve months…or maybe even in your life, there a serious chance you have heard of Arturo Fuente or even its third generation owner, Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr. Carlito is perhaps the most recognized person within the industry today. Due to his never-ending passion to the craft of making premium cigars, his effort to leave no stone unturned when connecting with his fanbase, steamrolling the continued building of the monster company his grandfather started back in 1912, or his unrivaled passion of defending the industry that has given him the life he could of never even dreamt of, this is a man who I swear never sleeps and probably won’t until he is in the ground. I have had the very privilege of witnessing a small portion of his daily life back in 2022 and I can tell you he along with his sister Cynthia, Ciro Cascella, and the rest of the Fuente family and staff are a group of people unlike any other. One of the things I know means so much to Carlito and company is their legacy as a company and part of preserving that was by way of the release of Arturo Fuente: Since 1912. This book written by author Aaron Sigmond and published by luxury publisher Assouline debuted early last year in a small quality that immediately caught the attention of the Arturo Fuente fanbase and other admirers alike. This beautiful work of art will provide many people with an understanding of who this family is, where they have been and where they are heading for years to come. One thing I know is important to them is their vision for a a future even bigger and beyond just premium cigars, but that is a story you’ll have to ask Carlito about. READ MORE

The Top 25 Cigars of 2023

Watch Video “You’re not a cigarmaker. You just assemble tobaccos,” quipped a Parisian retailer in the 1980s. He was talking to Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr., now owner and patriarch of Arturo Fuente Cigar Co. Back then, the company was owned by his father and the Fuentes were producing cigars with tobacco from different origins. The snide remark stuck with the younger Fuente, and he knew the problem was wrapper. Dominican wrapper was nearly nonexistent, and this became the young Fuente’s obsession. If that derisive comment was the prologue to the OpusX story, chapter one began in the early 1990s with the ambitions of Fuente Jr. and his plan to grow quality wrapper leaf in the Dominican Republic. Conventional wisdom dictated that Dominican soils were unsuitable for growing good cover leaf. And this was for the most part true. But Fuente was on a mission, and when he finally planted the right Corojo seeds in the right plot of land in 1991, the result was a unique wrapper with a gorgeous reddish hue, enviable elasticity, big aroma and even bigger flavor. What is now known as Chateau de la Fuente is a farm located in Bonao, where the soil differs from other growing regions in the Dominican Republic. It’s lighter and loamier with a higher clay content. Fast forward to a chilly November evening in New York City in 1995. A line of people hoping to enter a Manhattan cigar shop extended all the way around the block. It was premiere night and cigar fans of all professional stripes waited in the cold for their chance to try an OpusX. On that night, a cult classic and cigar phenomenon was born. When OpusX was released, it was a strong cigar in a mostly mild market. Today, it has a lot more competition in the full-bodied segment, yet OpusX remains relevant—and coveted. It’s leathery and assertively spicy without being harsh. Every puff is inlaid with an opulent sweetness of baking spices, nutmeg and vanilla. The balance of power and elegance is astounding and precisely why it’s our Cigar of the Year. Because the ring gauge of the Reserva d’Chateau is somewhat slim, the wrapper plays a major role in the smoking experience. Ultimately, the story of OpusX was about a wrapper that was thought to be unfeasible. In the end, Fuente proved everyone wrong and created a stunning, all-Dominican cigar that’s much more than the sum of its parts.
Fuente Dinner Raises $335,000 For Cigar Family Charitable Foundation

Fuente Dinner Raises $335,000 For Cigar Family Charitable Foundation

Oct 16, 2023 | By David Savona Carlos Fuente Jr. had never been to Greenwich, Connecticut before last week. After the night he had at Burning Tree Country Club, it’s likely that he’s going to come back soon. “An Opus Xodus,” a cigar dinner and charity auction thrown on October 11 by The Tobacconist of Greenwich, sold out long in advance, with 150 cigar lovers sitting down to artisanal cocktails, a surf ‘n’ turf dinner and plenty of cigars made by Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia. in the Dominican Republic. Upon walking in, the guests each received a four-pack of smokable goodies: an Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Robusto; a Fuente Fuente OpusX Double Corona (a cigar once named Cigar of the Year); a Casa Fuente Lancero, a slim smoke that one can typically only find out in Las Vegas, at the Casa Fuente cigar lounge and bar; and a ForbiddenX Cigar in the Bottle, another rarity.  READ MORE
Fuente Friday: It has been a thing for a while.

Fuente Friday: It has been a thing for a while.

2 February, 2022 • Cigaryard.com Don Carlos Fuente followed the footsteps of his father Arturo in what proved to be a challenging and tumultuous road, paving the way for his son and other generations to come. The Fuente family has fought through trials and tribulations, overcoming numerous challenges to stand as strong as they do today. Through hard work and determination, Carlito (as his friends call him) or Carlos Fuente Jr. and his tight-knit family now carry on with one of the most respected and reputable brands in the world. Arturo Fuente cigars are consistently found amongst the highest rankings in all magazines, blogs, and smokers’ personal favorite lists. Their reputation for unparalleled quality, production consistency, and brand individuality is what has brought them to remain at the pinnacle of the cigar world. It’s not uncommon to see cigar industry names grow to a level of global appreciation within the cigar community, however, Carlos Fuente Jr. has risen to a general world-wide spotlight like no other in the industry, attaining production partnerships with world renowned brands such as Hublot watches, co-branding luxury products, and besieging himself with celebrities. The secret behind Fuente Jr.’s continued success as a brand and as a collective, is the humility behind his generous persona and the amazing team that surrounds him. The Fuente brand has advanced tremendously, established in nearly every country where cigars are found and occupying space in most humidors around the world. Fuente Friday was a trend before social media caught onto it, and we believe it’s important to highlight a tradition in our industry that extends beyond brand preference and transcends into a movement. Let this phrase be heard all over the world, spreading the good word of premium cigars crafted with the uttermost care and attention so that others can continue to follow and grow in the same way. Read The Original
My Favorite Cigar

My Favorite Cigar

Cigar Aficionado Online By Kenneth Shouler Journalist Jeff Greenfield is cigar loyal by a new measure. The news organizations he’s worked for—including CBS, CNN, ABC, Time, The New York Times, and now Politico—far surpass his cigar loves, numbering three. “If I had my druthers, the cigar I would smoke more than any other is the Fuente Fuente OpusX,” he says. “With or without the Angel’s Share,” a milder version of the brand. Greenfield met its storied creator long before the Angel’s Share emerged. “I was at a Cigar Aficionado dinner at the ‘2’1 Club and sitting next to Carlos Fuente Jr., who told me he was working on this masterpiece.” Seven years later, the masterpiece emerged. “I like the mildness of it, the flavor. It’s almost impossible to find. Two friends and I occasionally go to one of the friends’ homes and talk about whatever we feel like—sports, politics, movies—in a nice garden. We exchange cigars and shoot the breeze. That’s where I do most of my smoking. The other cigars I’ve enjoyed are the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2—which is a good size and mild—and the other is Ramon Allones.” With three such legendary smokes, why even try to make it five or eight or ten? Read Article
OPUSX THE UNDEFEATED

OPUSX THE UNDEFEATED

I’m guessing there have been more than a dozen Freedom Samplers released by Cigar Rights of America (CRA), an industry trade group. Typically, these samplers contain 10 cigars from 10 different companies. During the last five or so years, the samplers have almost always contained cigars from the same 10 companies, all of which serve as CRA’s main benefactors. Those companies are:
  • Alec Bradley
  • Arturo Fuente
  • Ashton
  • J.C. Newman
  • La Flor Dominicana
  • My Father Cigars, Inc.
  • Oliva
  • Padrón
  • Rocky Patel Premium Cigars, Inc.
  • Tatuaje
Typically, these samplers are split roughly half and half between cigars that you could purchase outside of the sampler and cigars that would be either very difficult or impossible to otherwise purchase. While Arturo Fuente has consistently provided harder to find cigars—usually an OpusX though there’s also been Casa Fuente and Rare Pink cigars used—they’ve been cigars you could purchase outside of the sampler. As part of the CRA Freedom Sampler Spring 2023 that began shipping in February, Arturo Fuente created a new cigar that, to my knowledge, is not available any other way. It’s called the Fuente Fuente OpusX The Undefeated. The company never provided any information about the cigar itself, but it would appear to be a 6 x 56 toro extra version of the regular OpusX blend, which is made entirely of tobaccos from the company’s Chateau de la Fuente farm in Caribe, Dominican Republic. The history of OpusX has been as documented as much as any non-Cuban cigar. It all began when the owner of Boutique 22, a store in Paris, told Carlos “Carlito” Fuente Jr. that he was not a cigar maker because Arturo Fuente didn’t make a product made entirely of tobaccos the company grew itself. That comment stuck with the younger Fuente, who began to wonder how he could go from a “cigar assembler” as the retailer called him to a “cigar maker.” The answer was to grow his own wrapper, which wasn’t as easy as it would seem. At that time, many believed that it wasn’t possible to grow good cigar wrapper in the Dominican Republic. Angel Oliva Sr. of the Oliva Tobacco Co. took Fuente to a farm the Olivas owned in a small town outside of Bonao called Caribe. In 1991, Fuente planted a crop of tobacco under cheese cloths on the land that the Olivas still owned. In 1992 that first crop was harvested as part of Project X from Planet 9, the internal code name for what became OpusX. Today, that land is owned by Arturo Fuente and called Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia., seemingly the most famous tobacco farm in the cigar industry. Fuente Fuente OpusX debuted in 1995, the first succesful Dominican puro that would lead the way for cigars like the Davidoff Puro d’Oro, La Aurora 100 Años and La Flor Dominicana’s Litto Gomez Diez series, all Dominican puros that came after OpusX. Today, there is now a family of OpusX brands, the original OpusX blend has been offered in shapes ranging from a lancero to a football, and there’s so many different OpusX-themed accessories that, at times, there have been three different accessory companies with licensing agreements to produce OpusX cutters. If OpusX was its own company, that company would be a sizeable player in the cigar industry. Read Entire Article on Halfwheel

JOSÉ BLANCO PROMOTED TO WORLDWIDE BRAND AMBASSADOR

Arturo Fuente Cigars has promoted José Blanco to the position of Worldwide Brand Ambassador. José previously served as Arturo Fuente’s Director of Sales in the Eastern Hemisphere. In his new role, José will be working closely with Carlito Fuente to represent and promote Arturo Fuente cigars throughout the world at events, trade shows, in retail stores and in the digital realm. Carlito and José are planning a new series of retail events in the U.S. during 2023-2024. Jose will continue to represent the Arturo Fuente brand to retailers and distributors in the Eastern Hemisphere. José will also be a mentor and resource for the entire Arturo Fuente global sales team. Fuente is honored to continue its relationship with José, who brings over 50 years of sales expertise to the company. Carlito Fuente said, “José brings knowledge of the old school tobacco industry and blends it in with a passion for the new opportunities the Arturo Fuente brand has around the world. I value his experience and appreciate his enthusiasm for the brand and the industry as a whole.” Download the press release  
This New Coffee Table Book Chronicles the History of Beloved Cigar Brand Arturo Fuente

This New Coffee Table Book Chronicles the History of Beloved Cigar Brand Arturo Fuente

Robb Report – The New York-based publisher will release a new coffee table book dedicated to Arturo Fuente next month. Entitled Arturo Fuente: Since 1912, the massive tome charts the history of the revered brand and attempts to illustrate why it’s still going strong over a century after its founding.

Those with only a passing knowledge of cigars have probably heard that the finest hail from Cuba, but true aficionados know they can be found elsewhere. For proof of this, all you need to do is look at (and smell) the top-notch, hand-rolled smokes Arturo Fuente has produced since it was founded in West Tampa, Fla., in 1912. A lot has happened since that humble beginning, though. The brand relocated to the Dominican Republic, a country it has become synonymous with, and has become one of the largest family-owned cigar companies in the world, rolling some 30 million stogies per year. It’s little wonder there was enough material for a whole book. READ MORE

Title: Arturo Fuente Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s Séries Sophisticated Hooker Awarded #10 in Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars of 2022

Title: Arturo Fuente Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s Séries Sophisticated Hooker Awarded #10 in Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 Cigars of 2022

Cigar Aficionado – The name is certainly curious. And if you’re familiar with Carlos Fuente Jr.’s sense of humor, it won’t surprise you that there’s a double entendre here. Sophisticated Hooker refers to the name of a fishing boat (“hooker” being a term for a fisherman) the Arturo Fuente owner and blender remembers from his younger days. It’s the largest size in the Rare Pink line, a series of shapely figurados, much like Fuente’s Hemingway series. Only this blend is completely different from that found in Hemingways. It’s also a cigar with a social cause. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of every box goes to fund breast cancer research, hence the bright pink boxes. Pink is the official color of the breast cancer awareness movement. The brand had only four sizes when it was launched in the spring of 2021, and this wasn’t one of them. Later that year, at the first Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest, the seminar audience puffed a sneak preview of the Sophisticated Hooker. It’s in the market now, but still in limited production. The cigar is as intriguing as the name. First puffs are cedary and herbal, but the cigar takes on a nutty, graham cracker sweetness showing big notes of red meat, black pepper and caramel before the sweet-and-nutty finish. READ MORE
Arturo Fuente Ships 2022 Batch of Rare Pinks Including Two New Sizes

Arturo Fuente Ships 2022 Batch of Rare Pinks Including Two New Sizes

Arturo Fuente has begun shipping the 2022 batch of its Rare Pink Vintage 1960’s line, which now has a total of six sizes. The company has expanded the line with two new sizes—both of which were announced in 2021—the Queen of Hearts (3 3/4 x 54) and Sophisticated Hooker (7 1/4 x 53). Like the rest of the sizes in the line, both new vitolas are perfectos. The cigar uses an Ecuadorian wrapper from Oliva Tobacco Co. over a Nicaraguan binder and fillers from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. READ MORE
A Tale of 2 Cigar Families

A Tale of 2 Cigar Families

Cigar Aficionado – Like so many great ideas, the plan to combine the cigarmaking talents of the Fuente and Padrón families began over whisky and cigars. Carlos Fuente Jr., the man who runs Arturo Fuente, was visiting the Miami office of Jorge Padrón, his friend and competitor. It was early in 2020, and the two men lit up cigars. After the Scotch was poured, the two raised their glasses in honor of their fathers, men who had died not so long before, men who had run Fuente and Padrón before their sons. As they spoke, an unusual idea was born: what if these two companies worked together to make cigars honoring their fathers, cigars that would be sold in the same box, the two names joined for the first time in history? “We discussed Jorge blending a cigar in honor of my father, out of respect and gratitude,” says Fuente Jr. “And I was going to make a cigar that Mr. José Orlando Padrón would like.” It was a curious move, two rival companies, each a leader in the world of fine cigars, working together on a project that would bear both of their names. Coke doesn’t share the stage with Pepsi; Porsche and BMW don’t do joint projects; Rolex doesn’t make a watch with Patek Philippe. READ MORE

HalfWheel – My intent was for this post to go up a lot sooner, but things got complicated. Oddly, not because of the Arturo Fuente and Padrón Legends collaboration, which was the most talked about cigar of any trade show I’ve ever been to. From the time I first visited the booth at the start of Day 1 to my final time walking through it on Day 4, the Legends cigar had a certain fanfare that is completely unique. What’s crazy is that is hardly the end of Arturo Fuente’s other collaborations, there’s also the $80,000 Elie Bleu humidor and a plethora of new items for Manny Iriarte Enterprises’ The OpusX Society. But this post is about Fuente, the mothership, and it had plenty of new items. In traditional Arturo Fuente fashion, good luck finding details about just about any of the cigars, but if you wanted information about dog bowls, I found that wasn’t that difficult to come by. As you’ll read below, for some of these cigars, a lot remains unclear. READ MORE

Fuente & Padrón Legends Cigar Project To Be Unveiled July 10, 2022

Miami, Florida – Carlito Fuente and Jorge Padrón are proud to announce the release of their Legends cigar project. Please join the Fuente and Padrón families Sunday July 10, 2022 at 3:30 pm at the PCA Trade Show, Booth # 1321 for the unveiling of these extraordinary cigars. Carlos A. Fuente, Sr. and José O. Padrón were friends and colleagues for over 50 years. They shared common bonds – a passion for the finest Cuban cigar-making traditions and deep respect for their family names. They passed these values on to their children. Their sons, Carlito Fuente and Jorge Padrón, together with their families, have partnered to honor and remember the Fuente and Padrón family patriarchs. For the first time, the families are collaborating on a joint project, a commemorative 40-cigar box in honor of their fathers and their legacies. The box is detailed with colors, symbols and photographs illustrating the rich family histories and contributions to the cigar industry made by both families. Inside, there are two trays of 20 hand crafted cigars. One tray features cigars made by Padrón in honor of Carlos A. Fuente, Sr. The second tray features cigars made by Fuente in honor of José O. Padrón. Specially designed bands honor both patriarchs with family symbols and the words the two men lived by – “Familia,” “Perseverancia,” and “Legado” (Family, Perseverance, and Legacy). Both families have selected rare and beautiful tobaccos to create legendary cigars worthy of the extraordinary men they honor. In keeping with their fathers’ tradition of giving, a percentage of the proceeds from the sales of this collaboration will be donated to the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation and the Padrón Family Foundation. Contact: Liana Fuente (lfuente@arturofuente.com) or Jeff Padrón (jeffpadron@padron.com)
Fuentes Breaking Ground On Nicaraguan Factory

Fuentes Breaking Ground On Nicaraguan Factory

Cigar Aficionado – Four and a half years—nearly to the day—after Carlos Fuente Jr. announced plans to build a grand factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, his company is about to formally break ground on the site and begin construction. On Thursday, the inauguration of the factory will occur. “Many years in the works,” Fuente Jr. said to Cigar Aficionado. “The day is finally coming.” The event will include, according to Fuente Jr., “The whole construction company, government officials and colleagues.” Read More
Prime Time Awards 2021: Large Factory of the Year – Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia

Prime Time Awards 2021: Large Factory of the Year – Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia

“We will never rush the hands of time” is the mantra of Arturo Fuente Cigar Company. It’s no better personified than in the excellent products that have come out of its Dominican factory, Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia. It’s a big reason why it wins the 2021 Prime Time Award for Large Factory of the Year. There is such a wide variety of cigars produced from this company, from regular production to limited editions to uber-limited editions; from mild cigars to powerhouse blend; from tried and true vitola sizes to artisan shapes. The factory has executed flawlessly on so many levels over the years, and 2021 was one that really shined and showcased the versatility and consistency of quality. Most importantly, the end products delivered were outstanding. READ MORE
2021 Smokin Tabacco Awards: Woman of the Year – Liana Fuente

2021 Smokin Tabacco Awards: Woman of the Year – Liana Fuente

Like her family before her, Liana is a professional with love and passion for the business of premium handmade cigars. She is the Vice President of Brand Development of Arturo Fuente and also oversees all of their charitable efforts. She takes after her father, Carlito, in the way she represents such a storied and historic brand with a reputation for high class and consistency. When her father created the new “Rare Pink” line, she was the one who decided to use that to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. Rare Pink was introduced in 2020 when it was shipped to retailers for the holiday season. It uses Ecuadorian wrapper over a mixture of tobaccos including Nicaraguan tobacco from the Fuente farm in Estelí, Nicaragua. All of the vitolas are perfectos, with two new sizes introduced at PCA 2021 this year: Queen of Hearts and Sophisticated Hooker. Arturo Fuente announced in addition that $13 from each box would be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation after the American Cancer Society refused to accept money from a company associated with tobacco. In 2020, Liana told us they raised $107,000 for Breast Cancer Research. READ MORE
Liana Fuente -Ash Quarterly Woman of the Year

Liana Fuente -Ash Quarterly Woman of the Year

Ash Quarterly First ever award for Woman of the Year goes to Liana Fuente. Liana is the Vice President of Brand Development for Arturo Fuente and oversees all its various charitable endeavours. Speaking of Charity, Liana has made it a point to do extensive fundraising for Breast Cancer Awareness. Part of this initiative saw the launch of the Arturo Fuente Rare Pink series in which the company donates money to the American Cancer Society for every box sold. With all that Liana does, it is no wonder that she was voted Woman of the Year by consumers.

Congratulations Liana!
BIG BANG UNICO ARTURO FUENTE CERAMIC

BIG BANG UNICO ARTURO FUENTE CERAMIC

El Maestro! Carlos A. Fuente Sr. was born in 1935 in Ybor City, a Cuban émigré neighbourhood in Tampa, Florida. While still in primary school, Carlos Sr. began working in his father Arturo’s small cigar business. Even as very young children, part of the household duties was to first make 50 cigars a day before they could start their homework. Impassioned by his family and the craftsmanship of making cigars, Carlos Sr. worked alongside his father Arturo until his father’s retirement. Taking over the reins of the family business in 1956, Carlos Sr. was ambitious and sought to expand the business, first in other parts of Florida before setting his sights on New York City. Carlos Sr. successfully enabled the company to flourish in the 1960s. Unfortunately, the United States embargo against Cuba forced the Fuentes to move their cigar production to Nicaragua. However, the family suffered further misfortune when, in 1978, their factory was burned down by Sandinista revolutionaries. Once again, the Fuentes were forced into exile and moved their operations to Honduras. And the adage that ‘things always seem to go in threes’ came true when, in 1980, the new factory also burned down. Read Original
2021 Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest: The Cigars of Fuente

2021 Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest: The Cigars of Fuente

The third seminar at Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest showcased the cigars of Fuente. Gordon Mott, the senior contributing editor of Cigar Aficionado, and Carlos Fuente Jr., the maker of Fuente cigars, mounted the stage to great applause, the latter looking rather dashing with his white hat and pencil-thin mustache. Before he got down to brass tacks, Fuente began with heartfelt words about what Cigar Aficionado has done for the cigar industry and how events such as Big Smokes allow him and his family to come face-to-face with the people who enjoy his cigars, a sentiment which felt all the more poignant in the aftermath of the lockdown. “If there’s anything at all this has taught me,” he said, “it’s not about cigars, it’s about people,” resulting in thunderous applause from the audience.   READ MORE
Fuente Fuente Rare Pink

Fuente Fuente Rare Pink

The newest cigar coming from Arturo Fuente is a passion project with charity at its heart. Arturo Fuente Rare Pink is a line of shaped cigars (including one that’s a hybrid of a lancero and a figurado) made with Ecuadoran wrappers and a hint of Nicaraguan tobacco in the filler. A portion of the sales of each box sold in 2020 will go to the fight against breast cancer. “The theme is pink,” said Carlos Fuente Jr. during a video call with Cigar Aficionado. “The boxes are so unique. It’s a gift for my daughter, and my mother, and my sister, and all the women in my life. I wanted to do something for my daughter.” The cigar project was created to benefit breast cancer research, a project dear to Liana Fuente, Carlos Fuente Jr.’s daughter, who is deeply involved in the family business. Liana lost two family members to the disease, the second-most common cancer in the U.S. and one that kills more than 40,000 women a year in America.

Grand Cathedral Cigars

Grand Cathedral Cigars, located in the “Cigar Capital of the World,” is one of the newest cigar lounges in the United States! Home of the Official Casa Cuba Lounge & Gardens, Grand Cathedral features one of the largest cigar establishments utilizing a unique 115 year old historical cathedral with an inside space of 7,000 sqft and an outdoor patio of 6,000 sqft. With an exclusive members-only piano bar and second floor area, we pride ourselves in providing first class service and offering the finest selection of premium cigars and craft libations! With a soft opening earlier this year, we are proud to officially open our doors to cigar enthusiasts from all corners of the world May 22nd! Please join us this summer for the Grand Opening Party of the century! With a special appearance from cigar dignitaries such as the reigning family of premium cigars since 1912, The Fuente Family, this event is one not to miss for any cigar enthusiast throughout the world!
Slight Price Hike For a Few Fuente Cigars

Slight Price Hike For a Few Fuente Cigars

January 21, 2021 Arturo Fuente will keep cigar prices the same for over 99% of its entire production As part of its continuing commitment to local brick & mortar tobacconists, as well as considering the overall hardships caused by COVID-19, Arturo Fuente announced today that it will keep prices the same for over 99% of its entire production of cigars as it begins 2021. “The Fuente family has experienced and overcome major difficulties and tragedies during our 109 years in the premium cigar industry, and our long-standing principles and values dictate that we must do our best to assist in times like these,” said Carlos “Carlito” Fuente, Jr., President of The Fuente Companies. “We are committed to selling the highest-quality cigars at the fairest prices, and we work hard to keep our prices at or below market.” For the less than 1% of cigars that will have a minor price adjustment, it will only be an average increase of 3% among a few select sizes. “We will make every effort to postpone any further necessary changes and will revisit this situation later in the year as life returns to normal,” said Carlito. “In the meantime, I do want to emphasize that we enter this new year with great enthusiasm and optimism for our wonderful industry. We are grateful for the amazing and consistent support over the years, and we truly BELIEVE that this year will be the best one yet!” This announcement is effective immediately.
Cigar Snob’s All Decade Awards

Cigar Snob’s All Decade Awards

As we turn our attention to 2021, we look back at the last ten years to see what companies, personalities, and products made a lasting impact on us. Some were chosen because they changed the game. Others were picked because they did the same thing as everyone else, but did it at such a high level that even the competition took notice. Full Article Here
Arturo Fuente Launches Official Online Merchandise Store

Arturo Fuente Launches Official Online Merchandise Store

Today, Arturo Fuente launched a new online merchandise store on its official website, www.arturofuente.com. Aimed at Fuente Fanatics all around the world, the premium cigar company is providing its fanbase with an easy-to-use retail platform where they can directly purchase all the beautiful non-cigar products that Fuente passionately creates, such as accessories, clothing, and more! “Our fans are constantly reaching out in search of where to buy the latest Fuente item” said Liana Fuente, Vice President of Brand Development. “So we created this online platform to help fans all over the globe get what they want, when they want it.” In addition to merchandise being made available direct to consumers, the online store will also include a wholesale section which will provide a bulk pricing discount to local Brick & Mortar shops. This is part of the Arturo Fuente Support Local initiative, the company’s long-standing commitment to encourage its fanbase to visit and support local retail shops. “Our family business has been around since 1912, and we have succeeded throughout these 100 years due in large part to the local mom & pop shops,” said Liana. “Therefore, every time we create a new program or initiative such as this online store, we always think long and hard on how to best include the local shops, because their success is our success too.” For this reason, Fuente will not sell any cigars nor gather any customer information via the online store.

Happy shopping Fuente Fanatics, and remember, ONLY FUENTE IS FUENTE!

2020 CIGAR TROPHY AWARDS

2020 CIGAR TROPHY AWARDS

Best Brand Dom. Rep. 2020: A. Fuente Don Carlos

There are many awards, but only a few are conferred by you, the consumers. The greater the suspense on Friday evening, when the winners of the coveted public awards were announced in the presence of the biggest names of the industry. To determine the shortlists our readers were asked to nominate their top-candidates in the categories Best Brand, Best Cigar, Best Value, Best Accessory, and Best Lounge and then to determine the winner from the top five. We are particularly pleased that the public awards are enjoying unwavering growth and popularity with cigar smokers from all over the world.
CigarsLover Autumn Issue featuring Liana Fuente

CigarsLover Autumn Issue featuring Liana Fuente

CigarsLover Autumn 2020 Liana has become a fixture in the cigar industry and the new face of Arturo Fuente Cigars. In this interview she sheds some light into who she is and how she has made a name for herself in the industry. Tell us a little about your time growing up? What did tenyear-old Liana want to be once she was older? When you’re a 4th generation cigar maker in a family business that has been around for over 100 years, that’s a tough question! I can’t imagine doing anything else. But if I had to ask my ten-year-old self, it would definitely be a veterinarian or a professional dancer on Broadway. As much as I love people, especially those that make up our amazing cigar industry, I love animals, especially dogs. Those in my family who came before me, like my father and grandfather, Don Carlos, taught us the importance of always giving back. Indeed, even though I work full time in the family business, I try to feed this passion by volunteering at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, so I guess that is where I would be.   READ MORE
New Arturo Fuente Rare Pinks Coming In November

New Arturo Fuente Rare Pinks Coming In November

The newest cigar coming from Arturo Fuente is a passion project with charity at its heart. Arturo Fuente Rare Pink is a line of shaped cigars (including one that’s a hybrid of a lancero and a figurado) made with Ecuadoran wrappers and a hint of Nicaraguan tobacco in the filler. A portion of the sales of each box sold in 2020 will go to the fight against breast cancer. “The theme is pink,” said Carlos Fuente Jr. during a video call with Cigar Aficionado. “The boxes are so unique. It’s a gift for my daughter, and my mother, and my sister, and all the women in my life. I wanted to do something for my daughter.” The cigar project was created to benefit breast cancer research, a project dear to Liana Fuente, Carlos Fuente Jr.’s daughter, who is deeply involved in the family business. Liana lost two family members to the disease, the second-most common cancer in the U.S. and one that kills more than 40,000 women a year in America….READ MORE!
Cigar Trophy Awards 2020

Cigar Trophy Awards 2020

The Cigar Trophy Award Ceremony 2020 will take place virtually due to the cancellation of the InterTabac trade fair and due to travel restrictions. “It will be a virtual live gala,” said Reinhold C. Widmayer. As always, the manufacturers and brand owners will participate live. It will be a meeting with the Who’s Who of the cigar industry. Cigar Trophy Awards 2020 Friday, September 18, 2020 11AM Miami | 5PM Berlin | 11PM Hong Kong Will last approximately 1 hour Virtual-only ZOOM event streamed LIVE via social media channels: www.facebook.com/CigarJournal Instagram:@cigarjournalmag They will start with a short introduction and proceed with the trophies voted by the consumers: BEST BRAND all countries alphabetically BEST CIGAR all countries alphabetically BEST VALUE all countries alphabetically BEST ACCESSORY BEST CIGAR LOUNGE Then they will announce the winners decided by Cigar Journal magazine: Outstanding Art Charity & Community Ambassador Lifetime Achievement
DM XXXVIII ANNIVERSARY CIGAR BY CARLOS FUENTE

DM XXXVIII ANNIVERSARY CIGAR BY CARLOS FUENTE

February 5, 2020 • Cigar Journal   Daniel Marshall and Carlos Fuente, entrepreneurs and friends, introduced the DM 38th Anniversary cigar at the Daniel Marshall Cigar Lounge in Kitzbühel, Austria. The jewel of a cigar honors and symbolizes their 38 years of friendship. In speaking on their collaboration, Fuente told Marshall, “I want to do something for you very, very special. I am making a cigar for you, which I do for no one, to commemorate our long time friendship and my highest respect and admiration for you and your story. It’s an honor to be able to participate with you on this special anniversary. I poured my heart in to every detail, hoping to make you proud. I will give you my best.” The pyramid shaped cigars will be made available to collectors at Daniel Marshall Campfire events around the world and allocated to 38 of the world’s top tobacconists and iconic hotels. Designed by Marshall and Fuente, each humidor is individually numbered. The DM humidor holds eight cigars and includes a removable Spanish cedar tray that can increase the capacity to 16 cigars. The collectible humidors are embellished with a golden DM motif on the top as well as on the front in gold: “Daniel Marshall by Carlos Fuente – XXXVIII Limited Edition January 2020.” Original Post
Arturo Fuente Winner in Two 2020 Tobacco Business Awards Categories

Arturo Fuente Winner in Two 2020 Tobacco Business Awards Categories

The third annual Tobacco Business Awards ceremony were held at an exclusive invite-only in Las Vegas on Jan. 30, 2020. The awards were held in conjunction with the 2020 Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) at Club 101, located within the Sahara Las Vegas with close to 300 premium tobacco retailers, manufacturers and media in attendance. The Tobacco Business Awards were designed to recognize exceptional and outstanding entrepreneurs, businesses and brands operating within the cigar industry. To reflect the diverse businesses and products that makeup the industry, other categories such as accessories, mass-market products, retailers and franchises are also recognized at the awards. This year’s awards were rolled out differently than those in previous years as the nomination phase was opened up to the entire industry–retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and consumers–and a group of finalist were voted on from Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2019. By the time the final vote was cast, nearly 11,000 individuals had cast their vote for 11 different categories. One award, the Hugo Chairman Award which is named after Kretek International’s chairman Hugh Cassar, was chosen by the magazine’s staff and a select number of industry insiders. READ MORE
2019 COMPANY OF THE YEAR — ARTURO FUENTE

2019 COMPANY OF THE YEAR — ARTURO FUENTE

JANUARY 15, 2020 CHARLIE MINATO AWARDS – HALFWHEEL For the last four years, Arturo Fuente has been on the most aggressive modernization campaign this industry has seen. Its main factory in the Dominican Republic has been renovated, new buildings are up at its Chateau de la Fuente tobacco field, the company is buying more fields in Nicaragua, there are plans for an ornate factory in Estelí, a box factory—perhaps the largest in the western world—is set to open soon and the company built a new bonded warehouse in Tampa. Most of these things didn’t happen in 2019, but the Arturo Fuente Construction Co. has been as active as any in the cigar industry and 2019 was no exception. Beyond buildings, Fuente has revamped its international distribution with the launch of Arturo Fuente International. Perhaps most importantly, the company has made massive commitments to supplying these markets with products. There are new partnerships with companies like Stefano Ricci, and new developments in partnerships with its longtime partners: the Newmans and Meerapfels. What is perhaps the most interesting aspect to this is that 2020 might be Fuente’s biggest year to date: it marks the 25th anniversary of OpusX and the 20th anniversary of Añejo. If there is one metric where Fuente stands clearly above everyone else, it is popularity on halfwheel in 2019. If we focus solely on the articles we write about a singular company or a singular cigar, i.e. no legislation or editorial, half of the 10 most read articles about a singular company were about Fuente. So while there might be no singular metric or moment that crowns our winner, Fuente’s body of work was as good as any in 2019.
Statement from the Fuente Family regarding the 2020 PCA Trade Show:

Statement from the Fuente Family regarding the 2020 PCA Trade Show:

January 13, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement from the Fuente Family regarding the 2020 PCA Trade Show:

As we have for the past 50 years, Arturo Fuente will once again participate in the 2020 PCA Trade Show. “Our commitment to retailers is a core value of our company and family, one that will never waiver,” stated the company’s Chairman Carlito Fuente.

“Since the 1970 RTDA show in New York City, my family has supported the RTDA/IPCPR/PCA and we remain committed to Brick & Mortar tobacconists as the irreplaceable link between cigar manufacturers and consumers. They tirelessly work, day-in and day-out in the retail side of our beautiful industry, and are on the front lines assisting and educating our wonderful consumers. Arturo Fuente will always support Brick and Mortar tobacconists and do right by them.”

“We truly believe that members of the PCA are an extension of our family, and the annual trade show is the single most important event in keeping our families strong and successful. We look forward to spending quality time with everyone at the PCA show in Las Vegas.”

I’ll Be There. Will You?

CigarsLover Magazine Awards Best Brand Dominican Rep.

CigarsLover Magazine Awards Best Brand Dominican Rep.

WINTER 2019 – CigarsLover Magazine

One of the most prestigious brands in the cigar world had his humble beginning in 1912 in West Tampa, Florida. Arturo Fuente, after a fire burned down the factory in 1924, restarted the brand 22 years later and produced cigars, made out of Cuban tobacco and for the local market, on his back porch. In 1958, the company was sold to his younger son Carlos Fuente Sr. for exactly $1. Carlos expanded the company outside of Florida to New York. After the embargo and no more access to Cuban tobacco, Carlos started looking for tobacco from new regions. With the labor costs increasing the family trying to move production to other countries, but the quality of these factories was insufficient. In 1970 they built their factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. Disaster would strike again only nine years later, as the factory was burned down during the Nicarguan Revolution. Carlos, together with his son Carlito, invested everything that was left and in 1980 built their factory in Santiago, in the Dominican Republic. Many disasters struck again, but the family always stood back up. In they 1980s they scored their first success with introducing the Hemingway line. They also, against all odds, grew their own wrapper in the Dominican Republic, which is used for the Opus X line. Today, Arturo Fuente Cigars are famous for their many lines, such as the Hemingway, the Don Carlos and many more. Their Opus X line is one of the most luxurious cigar lines in the world, which recently celebrated its 20 year anniversary. Over the years they have enjoyed continues success with great ratings in our magazine. This year, to continue their growth worldwide, they, together with the Meerapfel family, launched Arturo Fuente International. With this launch, they now have a warehouse, located in Belgium, that can cover the demand worldwide. In a fast moving world, with the focus always going to the next best thing, Arturo Fuente has to stay relevant and on top of the cigar world.
Liana Fuente, the multi-talented woman behind the Fuente brand, talks vision, family legacy and the future

Liana Fuente, the multi-talented woman behind the Fuente brand, talks vision, family legacy and the future

BEING THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF the late Carlos Fuente, Sr. and daughter of Carlos Fuente, Jr. must carry quite a responsibility. The Arturo Fuente brand is renowned in the cigar world as the manufacturer of the world’s finest cigars. Celebrating 100 years of hard work, dedication and family tradition in 2012, Fuente cigars are a global benchmark for the cigar industry. From humble beginnings, the company has grown from strength to strength and most importantly, is still family-owned and operated in the Dominican Republic.  Read Entire Story!
WINNERS OF THE 2019 CIGAR TROPHY AWARDS ANNOUNCED

WINNERS OF THE 2019 CIGAR TROPHY AWARDS ANNOUNCED

There are many awards, but only a few are conferred by you, the consumers. The greater the suspense on Friday evening, when the winners of the coveted public awards were announced in the presence of the biggest names of the industry. To determine the shortlists our readers were asked to nominate their top-candidates in the categories Best Brand, Best Cigar, Best Value, Best Accessory, and Best Lounge and then to determine the winner from the top five. We are particularly pleased that the public awards are enjoying unwavering growth and popularity with cigar smokers from all over the world.
2019 Retailer Survey: The Best-selling Cigar Brands In America, Market Trends And More

2019 Retailer Survey: The Best-selling Cigar Brands In America, Market Trends And More

JULY 11, 2019 | By David Clough Cigar shop owners from across the United States have spoken: cigar sales are up, Arturo Fuente is the best-selling handmade brand, and their customers are more discerning and educated about cigars than ever before. Despite concerns over higher taxes, FDA regulations and Internet sales taking business away from brick-and-mortar stores, most cigar retailers are having a good year—and they’re optimistic about the future. These are the main takeaways from Cigar Insider’s 24th annual poll of cigar shops across America. Read More

Tobacco Business Awards Woman of the Year

Tobacco Business Magazine held its second annual Tobacco Business Awards at an exclusive invite-only ceremony held in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, 2019. This year’s event took place at The Sayers Club within the SLS Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and had close to 270 premium tobacco retailers, manufacturers and media in attendance. Held in conjunction with the Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE), the Tobacco Business Awards was designed to honor and recognize exceptional businesses, professionals, and products of the tobacco, vapor and alternative industries. This year’s ceremony was a full-on featuring of who’s who within these industries as the magazine announced the winners of the 2019 awards. This year’s awards expanded to 12 categories that could be voted on by the magazine’s print and digital readers and one non-publicized award given to an industry icon that was announced and revealed for the first time during the ceremony. New categories introduced at the 2019 awards included Nicaraguan Cigar of the Year, Dominican Cigar of the Year, Boutique Cigar of the Year, Accessory Manufacturer of the Year, Tobacconist of the Year and Woman of the Year. This year’s awards had close to 8,000 votes, nearly four times the votes of the 2018 awards. Read More WOMAN OF THE YEAR: LIANA FUENTE (ARTURO FUENTE) Liana Fuente is the very first recipient of Tobacco Business’s Woman of the Year award, an honor Fuente doesn’t take lightly but also one she doesn’t accept without acknowledging not just the other women who were nominated but all the others who have contributed to the tobacco industry in general. “You have no idea how humbled and excited I am that people chose me as the first Woman of the Year [award recipient],” Fuente says. “For so many years growing up in this industry, it was always about men. Honestly, women have been a crucial part of this industry. In 1912 my grandfather Arturo [Fuente] started his company in the back of his house. He didn’t do it alone—he did it with his wife, Christina. When times were tough, she said, ‘OK, baby. We’ll do it together,’ and she rolled cigars with him. After that, his sons and his daughters grew the business. Now, 107 years later, we are here to say, and I am proud to say, we’re a family business with women and men working together to keep the tradition and culture alive.” Liana Fuente was born into the cigar industry. When thinking about her childhood, cigars were as much a part of her family’s everyday life as food and water. She had many great mentors in the business, including her father, Carlito, her grandfather, Don Carlos, and her great-grandfather, Arturo, who showed her that hard work does pay off. In addition to being inspired by male figures, the women in her family have also shaped Liana’s approach to business and entrepreneurship. “We work in what has historically been a male-dominated industry, so it is inspiring to see so many women in it now,” she says. “I was raised and am always surrounded by strong and passionate women in the Fuente family, and I hope more and more women will join this industry. Their hard work and dedication will be an invaluable asset to our great cigar industry for years to come.” Fuente acknowledges the other women nominated alongside her this year, describing them all as strong and amazing, and saying that her win is also theirs. For the Fuente family, which has a long history in the premium cigar space that dates back over 100 years, her recognition as the first Woman of the Year is something she says they are very proud of. Her advice to other women is simple: Never forget that you have a place in the tobacco industry. “Women are as much a part of this industry as anyone else,” she explains. “Never forget that many women have come before you, working in the factories while providing for their families. When people say the word ‘sacrifice,’ it has no gender; ‘discipline’ has no gender; ‘grit’ has no gender. Stay strong, be creative, and always, always speak your mind. You bring a lot to the table, such as innate passion and dedication, and the cigar industry will be better for it.”
#WhereIsCarlito

#WhereIsCarlito

Carlito travels the world spreading love and telling the Fuente family story to all. This has inspired us to bring something fun to you. Please take your “EL PAPO DEL HUMO” bobblehead and spread some love all over the globe. Take pictures with ”Carlito” in the most exotic and creative places or anywhere you think he may be. Whether next to the Statue of Liberty, sky diving off the Grand Canyon, or just having “Carlito” next to man’s best friend, let us all have fun! How to Play:
  • Take a cool creative picture with your “El Papo del Humo” anywhere in the world;
  • Upload your picture to Facebook and tag the Where is Carlito page;
  • Upload your picture to Instagram and tag @whereiscarlito or hashtag #whereiscarlito
The best creative pictures posted on Facebook and Instagram will have an opportunity to win fun monthly prizes!!!!! Let the fun begin!!!
TWO LARGE CALIBER COMPANIES START A COLLABORATION

TWO LARGE CALIBER COMPANIES START A COLLABORATION

Arturo Fuente Cigars, one of the world’s most prestigious cigar brands, is launching a partnership with Stefano Ricci, one of the most reputable luxury outfitters for men’s fashion and lifestyle from Italy, with flagship stores at all major hotspots around the globe. The joy was to be seen in the eyes of both the entrepreneurs: Cigar Journal had the opportunity to meet both Carlito Fuente, CEO of Arturo Fuente, as well as Filippo Ricci, creative director for Stefano Ricci, the iconic fashion label from Italy, at this year’s InterTabac and to exclusively find out more about their still dewy collaboration. Family, quality, tradition, passion, and giving the consumer maximum satisfaction is what connects the two lifestyle experts. The result is – similar to the tailored suit – an especially created humidor with eight Fuente cigars that are made from a unique and limited blend. Read More
MARVIN SMOKES THE CIGAR OF YEAR WITH CARLOS FUENTE JR.

MARVIN SMOKES THE CIGAR OF YEAR WITH CARLOS FUENTE JR.

Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado, smokes the Don Carlos Eye of the Shark with its maker, Carlos Fuente Jr. <strong><a href=”http://video.cigaraficionado.com/play/id/5795268576001/name/Marvin_Smokes_The_Cigar_of_Year_With_Carlos_Fuente_Jr” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>View Article/Video</a> </strong>
Liana Fuente: The next heiress of the Fuente Empire

Liana Fuente: The next heiress of the Fuente Empire

Thirty-two-year-old Liana Fuente had been sneaking puffs of cigars for as long as she could remember. Being born into the world famous Fuente Cigar family meant that cigars were never hard to come by. Liana’s childhood memories of her grandfather, Carlos Fuente, and father, Carlito, always seemed to included a dangling cigar from their mouths. Sometimes, when they were not looking, she said she would sneak into one of their offices, steal a puff or two, as most children would do as an act of curiosity. But it wasn’t until she was older did she have the opportunity to smoke one from start to finish. At a young age, Liana Fuente was in New Orleans with her father for the first time attending major cigar convention. While on their way out to dinner, her father and a group of his friends lit up cigars. She prodded her father for one so she could join in on the festivities. He agreed to provide her with a cigar, an Opus X Lancero. This is one of Fuente’s most sought out cigar and one of the most beloved in the entire industry, but it was a lot larger and stronger than she desired for her first cigar. Excepting her father’s prideful selection, she grabbed it and puffed away. READ MORE
Hublot Honor World’s Rarest Cigar With King Power Arturo Fuente

Hublot Honor World’s Rarest Cigar With King Power Arturo Fuente

Luxury watchmakers Hublot have announced the creation of the King Power “Arturo Fuente”, a watch made in tribute to the Opus X, a cigar which connoisseurs have dubbed the rarest in the world. The Opus X is no ordinary cigar, so you can be certain the King Power “Arturo Fuente” timepiece is just as extraordinary.  This limited edition timepiece will be delivered in a genuine cigar case of Macassar ebony and carbon which bears the Opus X and Hublot logos. Inside the case is a special edition of Arturo Fuente’s Opus X cigar. Arturo Fuente Sr. founded his eponymous company in 1912 in West Tampa, Florida. Today the brand is world-famous for their premium, hand-rolled cigars. Only 100 pieces of the Gold version of the King Power “Arturo Fuente” will be produced, while the Ceramic version is limited to 200 pieces. Check out our exclusive gallery to see more views of this timepiece, as well as the limited-edition cigar case.
Haute Event: Casa Fuente Celebrates 100 Years of Arturo Fuente Cigars

Haute Event: Casa Fuente Celebrates 100 Years of Arturo Fuente Cigars

Casa Fuente inside the Forum Shops at Caesars was the setting for the 100th anniversary of Arturo Fuente Cigars on Saturday night. Participating in the celebration were Carlos Fuente Jr., Cynthia Fuente and Liana Fuente as well as Eric Newman of J.C. Newman Cigars, Michael Frey of FreyBoy Tobacco and Meera and Sathya Levin of Holts Cigar Co. Undefeated featherweight boxer Miguel Angel Garcia joined the festivities following his TKO over Jonathan Victor Barros earlier in the evening at Wynn Las Vegas. READ MORE
HUBLOT RELEASE PARTY

HUBLOT RELEASE PARTY

The Arturo Fuente Cigar Club

The Arturo Fuente Cigar Club

There may be no cigar lounge in the world more impressive to behold and more difficult to describe than the Arturo Fuente Cigar Club. Co-owned by Carlos Fuente Jr. and Ciro Cascella, the place is a hub for the capital city’s elite power brokers. Upon entering, you walk into what looks like the lobby of a swanky boutique resort. Despite the “club” name and posh appearance, it’s open to the public. Just be sure to dress accordingly. Beautiful greeters welcome all guests and get them situated. Situated? Yes, there are several accommodation options to consider even before you get to the cigars, food and drinks. You can have a business meeting in one of the private Executive Rooms; each is exquisitely decorated and designed with a different purpose, several of them running alongside the lounge giving patrons the privacy they require while still being part of the action. No expense was spared when the club was renovated and the open checkbook is probably most apparent in the Executive Rooms. To give you an idea, a couple of the rooms feature crown molding made of actual Opus X and Añejo cigars. “Those are actual Opus X and Añejo cigars,” exclaimed Cascella as we walked into the room. “We did not replace them with standins, we don’t do things halfway here.” It’s hard to imagine that a cigar club could offer such a sophisticated gourmet dining experience, but if you enjoy seafood you would be hard-pressed to find a better fine dining option anywhere. Anywhere. The shrimp three ways dish is, simply put, one of the better shrimp dishes you can have and the sea bass carpaccio is a unique expression of Peruvian fusion. The wine cellar is superb and the full liquor bar features one of the best selections of Scotch on the island. Now for the cigars. Outside of Casa Fuente in Las Vegas, you are not likely to find a more complete selection of the entire product offering from Arturo Fuente. From the hardest-to-find Opus and Añejos to the more ubiquitous Fuente 8-5-8, they are all showcased in a museum-like setting. But don’t fear the museum; you can touch and smoke the art here!

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