Fonseca No 1

[dicko]

This was my first fonseca no 1, had with a cup of tea after breakfast. Bought in a singles pack a few months ago so assume recent production.

Construction - love the packaging. Wrapper was a 'plain jane'. Slightly overfilled in spots, bit too tight on draw.

Pre- tea leaves and slightly earthy.

Opening/first- floral, tea leaves, light earth.

- milky at times, some white pepper through nose, at one stage a hint of plum or cherries.

2nd- some "grubby earthy" characters as Ken would say coming in through nose and on finish. also a 'plastic' taste came in at times.

- still mainly floral and tea, hint of mushroom and earth, sometimes milky not really sweet.

3rd - same flavour profile, maybe just some more straight tobacco. really a struggle between the good and bad flavours.

The cigar was very complex, and showed many flavours, unfortunately not all of the flavours were good. A tough one to rate. It was interesting to try.

Score - 86

[thechenman]

dicko...thanks for the review. Sorry your experience wasn't better. The Fonseca No. 1 is my favorite vitola from this line, followed closely by the Cosaco.

[LeafLover]

Thanks for the review. Narrows my choices down in the Fonseca marca.

[cigcars]

I like the box from the habanos seleccion. Senior Fonseca is such a HANDSOME man on their box! I just like looking at that man...what a FOX!!! The picture of him on the cigar box from on our side of the way...from Dominica or Honduras...he looks like an aids victim

[dicko]

I like the box from the habanos seleccion. Senior Fonseca is such a HANDSOME man on their box! I just like looking at that man...what a FOX!!! The picture of him on the cigar box from on our side of the way...from Dominica or Honduras...he looks like an aids victim

With a name like "Senior Fonseca" how can you go wrong?

[MontrealRon]

Thanks so much for your informative and frank review.

Many smokers feel that because heavy-bodied, strong cigars need time

to settle down and show their best, (and, IMHO, they do),

therefore lighter-bodied, more delicate cigars should be ready from the get-go.

In my limited experience, this is not the case, and the Fonseca brand is a prime example.

I have a few No. 1s left from a box that was bought fresh around eight or nine years ago.

While they were decent enough young, there has been a continual improvement,

in taste, complexity, and finesse, and they are still showing potential.

A more recent purchase, a box of '98 Cosacos, are also excellent.

Even the TC Delicias are best with a few years aging.

In general, I have found young Fonsecas to have a sort of mineral or metallic edge,

that is rather hard and discordant. Sometimes it is rather subtle, and not really a problem,

but other times it can seriously compromise the smoking experience.

Aging seems to cause this substance to either break down,

or to integrate positively with others.

[dicko]

Thanks so much for your informative and frank review.

Many smokers feel that because heavy-bodied, strong cigars need time

to settle down and show their best, (and, IMHO, they do),

therefore lighter-bodied, more delicate cigars should be ready from the get-go.

In my limited experience, this is not the case, and the Fonseca brand is a prime example.

I have a few No. 1s left from a box that was bought fresh around eight or nine years ago.

While they were decent enough young, there has been a continual improvement,

in taste, complexity, and finesse, and they are still showing potential.

A more recent purchase, a box of '98 Cosacos, are also excellent.

Even the TC Delicias are best with a few years aging.

In general, I have found young Fonsecas to have a sort of mineral or metallic edge,

that is rather hard and discordant. Sometimes it is rather subtle, and not really a problem,

but other times it can seriously compromise the smoking experience.

Aging seems to cause this substance to either break down,

or to integrate positively with others.

That's interesting, thanks for the explanation. I'm assuming the one I had was young. I'll try and get my hands on an aged example next time.

[mazolaman]

I recently got some cosacoas as a bit of a bargain,think they are 08,but difficult to tell.

I would agree with Ron,for me they need ageing,as they are far too harsh to smoke young.

I also got some quintero nacionales,as part of the same deal,from 01 I think,which surprised me by being fantastic smokes.

I think the age is the key.

[hsmunoz]

I came across some 98's at a very reasonable price and since I am a fan of the size, I grabbed. What a nice smoke. very floral, med body, and thuroughly enjoyable. I went deep on them and am very happy. I smoke a couple a week and am really pleased with the consistency as well.