Last night I decided to crack open the old El Presidente humidor at home. It’s been a long time since I’ve touched this thing, other than the routine re-charge of the humidifiers. After taking a peak inside and under the lift-out tray I was quite impressed with the collection of lovelies I’ve been sitting on.

At the bottom were a few Hemingway Signatures. I don’t remember buying them, but I have no problem smoking them. Not a day goes by when I don’t hear good things about these heavily sought cigars, so I was looking forward to re-visiting the blend. Especially after pulling them out of the humidor. The Signatures are pretty. A perfecto-shaped vitola sporting a smooth Cameroon wrapper. I filled my 3-capacity Xikar case and hit the streets of downtown Bethlehem.

Despite being pretty, the wrapper is extremely delicate, as two small cracks formed from clipping the cap. The cigar lit easily, thanks to the tiny foot at the bottom of its slightly tapered 6” x 47 barrel. The draw was a tad tight, but loosened after burning for a minute or two. In the beginning, the flavor was a bit flat. The cigar bit at the back of my palate, leaving behind a tannic aftertaste. Fortunately, this faded as a sweet, cedary note gradually came into the picture. Nice, something to enjoy other than aesthetics. The Signature didn’t offer too many twists or turns throughout the journey. Rather, I seemed to be taking a long straightaway on cruise control. The woody flavors dominated, and a little bit of pepper pushes through the nose. I expected a nutty character, since I tend to find this in Cameroon-wrapper cigars. Not here. The strength plateaus at a solid medium-bodied, with no increase towards the end.

I guess this is why so many new cigar enthusiasts enjoy this cigar…it’s consistent in both performance and flavor, from start to finish. When you light one up, you know exactly what you’re in for. In that respect, it’s very similar to the traditional Fuente line. Well made and straightforward. I’ve said it before: I like complexity…a cigar that either changes or offers a few more layers of flavor. The Hemingway may look good and smoke well, but it’s not for me.