The Don Carlos No.3 take their name from Don Carlos Fuente Sr., the illustrious founder of the Fuente family. The first Don Carlos cigar sales took place in 1976, beginning its existence.

When the Fuentes in Nicaragua lost everything to the Sandinistas, the product eventually vanished from the market but reappeared in 1986 for the European market.

This cigar only came in the Robusto and No. 3 Vitolas until 1997 and contained tobacco from the 1984 crop. The Presidente, Double Robusto, No. 2, and No. 4 sizes were added in 1998 after the changeover to tobacco from 1986 crops in 1997.

The Don Carlos No.3 blend combines Dominican binder and fillers with a Cameroonian wrapper. Even today, the No. 3 size is still available and is significantly less expensive than the bigger sizes. It is a traditional corona and is 5 1/2′′ by 44. Emmett selected this cigar as a component in his battle of the bands' sampler because it is a great value and a classic Cameroon cigar.