Cigar Review: J. Fuego Origen

Robusto, 4.875" x 50 ring gauge / $6.70, UPtown's Smoke Shop

The day that I smoked this cigar I had trouble getting info on any cigars. I had initially chosen 2 other cigars to review and had to pass because no information was immediately available. I sent off e-mails to the manufacturers or their reps so I could hopefully have something useful to fill this time with when I write up those reviews. Then I turned my attention to the next cigar in line, the Origen by Jesus Fuego, a cigar that has been available for some time in select shops around the country, but which was recently released nationwide. Guess what? No information about this one on any "official" sites, either! I can't even figure out if Jesus Fuego Cigars has a website! So...I was forced to look for information about the cigar on other blogs. Not to dis any of my fellow bloggers, but I would rather not rely on other blogs for information on a regular basis. I would just rather get the info from "the horse's mouth"--the manufacturer or a long-time reliable source like Perelman's--whenever possible. Failing that here, though, I am borrowing information from Chris at Nice Tight Ash: the filler is said to be "a secret blend of Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Costa Rican tobacco," while the wrapper is "Corojo No. 1." This is the first time I have heard of Corojo No. 1 and the only other thing I can figure out is actually from the Stogie Guys review...it's Brazilian. Honestly, Mr. Fuego...time to put up a good informational website! Just sayin'. [If you read as far as the Comments section below, you will see that Mr. Fuego himself left a comment letting me know where his website can be found. Googling "Jesus Fuego Cigars" got me no-where, but I feel slightly embarrassed at not even trying to type in: www.jfuego.com]

The Origen was a very good-looking stick: classy but understated band and oily wrapper with a bit of mottling. It felt even packed and looked well-constructed. I got a bit of barnyard and leather from the wrapper and some cocoa and more barnyard from the foot. Prelight draw was excellent; I got a strong cocoa powder flavor and a little pepper spice.

Initial puffs revealed an unexpected and rather unique burst of anise that disappeared a few moments later. Then I got more bittersweet chocolate along with coffee, cedar and a little pepper spice. Really unique flavor from this blend and this corojo wrapper varietal. It was the second day in a row that I smoked an odd varietal of Corojo and found it to be a strange twist on the typical Corojo flavor. As the first third progressed I noticed the incredibly white ash along with the wavy but even burn line; I also noticed the bitterness getting stronger--I got some cedar and dark roast coffee notes on the palate and some cocoa powder and nuttiness on the retrohale.

A little bit of sweetness balanced the bitter notes as the second third started. The ash held on for over an inch before I tapped off and the burn line continued to be quite even, if a little wavy. I did notice a chunk of wrapper leaf missing as I progressed, but the only reason is that as the cigar warmed under that specific area it separated a little bit; construction had been done so well that I did not even notice it in prelight.

Despite that flaw and another similar one hidden by the band, there were no significant burn problems. I continued to get great flavors from the Origen into the last third--earth, cocoa, coffee and just enough natural tobacco sweetness to balance it. I have to say Jesus Fuego has a definite hit on his hands here. Not only is this a great-tasting cigar, it has a great price point, as well. It is medium-to-full in body with no noticeable nicotine punch. It should be on the list of every experienced smoker to try at least once and really should be accessible to any but the most inexperienced cigar fans. I also am very happy to see that these will be more widely available in very short order.

Body: 7/10

Strength: 5/10

Complexity: 7/10

AFP Scale

Prelight: 2/2

Construction: 1.5/2

Flavor: 4.5/5

Value: 1/1

Total: 9/10

Agree, disagree or have your own thoughts you would like to share on this cigar? Please leave a comment and speak your mind!