Description

The Hemingway Short Story is not just a cigar; it’s an icon in the world of premium cigars. It’s the smallest vitola in the Hemingway line, but it packs a remarkable amount of complexity and satisfaction into its short, elegant frame. The “Natural” refers to the Connecticut Shade wrapper, as opposed to the sun-grown “Maduro” version.

1. Physical Appearance & Pre-Light

• Vitola & Shape: The most defining characteristic is its Perfecto shape. This is not a simple parejo (straight-sided cigar). It is closed at both the head and the foot, with a beautifully tapered, rounded head and a slightly bulbous middle that tapers down to a narrow, closed foot.

• Dimensions: 4 inches in length with a ring gauge of 49 at its widest point. Its small size is part of its appeal, promising a relatively short but intensely flavorful smoke (typically 30-45 minutes).

• Wrapper: The Natural version features a USA Connecticut Shade wrapper. It has a smooth, silky, and almost flawless appearance with a light tan, golden-brown color (often described as “café au lait”). The veins are minimal, a testament to the high-grade leaf selection.

• Construction: The construction is impeccable, as expected from Arturo Fuente. The roll is firm but not hard, with no soft spots. The closed foot requires you to clip both ends.

• Aroma: Before lighting, the wrapper gives off a gentle aroma of cedar, sweet hay, and a touch of leather. The foot, once clipped, reveals more pronounced notes of cedar, almonds, and a faint, natural sweetness.

• Cold Draw: After clipping the tapered head, the cold draw is perfect—slightly restricted due to the shape, but offering flavors of creamy cedar, a hint of nuts, and a subtle peppery spice on the lips.

2. Smoking Experience & Flavor Profile

The Short Story is known for its “short story with a long finish.” The flavor journey is dynamic and evolves quickly.

• First Third:

  • Initial Light: The first few puffs are surprisingly smooth and creamy. The closed foot ignites easily, immediately delivering a rich, velvety smoke.

  • Flavors: The dominant notes are cedar, cream, and cashew nut. There’s a distinct, smooth, bready quality (like sweet pastry or fresh-baked bread) and a light, natural sweetness. The pepper is minimal, presenting as a faint white pepper on the retrohale, adding dimension without being harsh.

• Second Third:

  • Transition: As the burn line moves past the bulbous center, the flavors deepen and gain more body.

  • Flavors: The core creamy cedar remains, but it’s joined by notes of leather and a more pronounced baking spice (like cinnamon or nutmeg). The nuttiness transitions from cashew to a more roasted almond flavor. The strength, which started as mild-to-medium, now feels like a solid medium.

• Final Third:

  • Climax: This is where the Short Story often shines brightest. The flavors become rich and robust as the smoke intensifies.

  • Flavors: The creaminess is now a rich, oily texture. The leather and wood notes (cedar, now with a touch of oak) take center stage. A delightful espresso bean or dark coffee note often emerges, complemented by the enduring baking spices. The strength can push into medium-plus territory by the end.

• Burn & Draw:

  • Despite the challenging Perfecto shape, the burn is typically very even, a credit to Fuente’s master rollers. It may require a minor touch-up as it passes the widest point, but this is common for perfectos.

  • The draw is excellent, producing copious amounts of cool, aromatic smoke from start to nub.

3. Overall Summary & Impression

• Strength: Mild-to-Medium, building to a solid Medium (or even Medium-Plus by the end).

• Body: Medium-bodied throughout, with a wonderfully creamy texture.

• Best Suited For: This is the perfect “anytime” cigar. It’s an ideal morning smoke with coffee, a brilliant midday break, or a superb dessert cigar after a meal. Its short smoking time makes it perfect for when you don’t have 90 minutes to spare but still crave a premium, complex experience.

Why it’s a Legend:
The Hemingway Short Story Natural is a masterpiece of balance and construction. It proves that a cigar doesn’t need to be large to be profound. It takes you on a complete flavor journey—from smooth and creamy to rich and spicy—in under an hour. It is consistently one of the most highly-rated and sought-after short filler cigars in the world, a true testament to the Fuente family’s dedication to the art of cigar making.

In short, it’s a flawlessly constructed, complex, and satisfying cigar that delivers a “novel’s” worth of flavor in a “short story” format.