Vegas Robaina Famoso Review

[mhartnett]

Not sure on the box date here, as it was one of a few singles I picked up from the Czar. A box is on the way, though...

Pre-light is fairly faint, with a nice floral sweetness. After lighting, a rich punch of honey and coffee, with some floral notes. There's also a flavor I can never quite place, maybe a burnt quality to the honey or something, that continues throughout, and is what makes this cigar great for me. It also has just a fantastic creamy mouthfeel about the smoke. Another one of those things that puts this in the upper echelon.

Entering the second third, there are some hints of vanilla, and a light white pepper through the nose. A bit further in, there's a fruitiness, as well a creamy sweetness.

In the final third, a woody character comes in, and for a moment, the cigar is a bit darker in character. Then a sweetness kicks back in with the burnt honey and wood. A single odd puff of nuttiness, then it carries out with that signature burnt honey.

This cigar is an absolute stunner. I'm quite new to Cubans, but this is hands down my favorite thus far, and while others have been superb, I'm repeatedly blown away when I come back to this one.

The African lion ashtray wanted to nub this one, but I did instead.

[laficion]

I'm quite new to Cubans, but this is hands down my favorite thus far, and while others have been superb, I'm repeatedly blown away when I come back to this one.

Hi mhartnett,

As a newcomer to Cubans, I find that you're doing pretty good.

A great review on a great cigar, Bravo

[kafreeman]

I love these... perhaps more than the PSD4.

[OZCUBAN]

Great Review and welcome to the forums ,and i see you have a good laptop to boot

Cheers OZ

[maalouly]

There's also a flavor I can never quite place, maybe a burnt quality to the honey or something, that continues throughout, and is what makes this cigar great for me.

Was it perhaps similar to a Creme brule?

I love everything that Robaina produce, I hope they continue to do the same awesome job as Don alejandro did.

Great review, love the ashtray!

Cheers,

Elie.

[mhartnett]

Creme brulee, huh? I'll have to think about that one next time I smoke one...

[mbrody]

Thanks for the review. This has been a terrific cigar as of late. Smokes beautifully. The flavor is very good, but it doesn't tickle my taste buds as some other smokes. Still, recommended to all who have not tried.

[gersonmorelli]

I've found that most of the recent production Vegas Robaina that I have tried (at least from 2006 - early 2009) have been tannic and with a lot of ammonia. Loved them when they were initially released. After a couple of experiences with some Famosos and DAs I've never went back to try these again. Last one was a 2006 DA in June 2009, still bitter and needed more age IMO.

Thanks for the review!

[gk404]

Thanks for the review, I have a box of these on the way as well and cant wait to try them. The last VR I had was a Don Alajandro a few months ago that I enjoyed immensely. I'm hoping these are similar in taste (while a shorter time comitment).

Nice ashtray too!

[maalouly]

I've found that most of the recent production Vegas Robaina that I have tried (at least from 2006 - early 2009) have been tannic and with a lot of ammonia. Loved them when they were initially released. After a couple of experiences with some Famosos and DAs I've never went back to try these again. Last one was a 2006 DA in June 2009, still bitter and needed more age IMO.

Thanks for the review!

Recommend you order another box of DA, ask smithy to choose a box for you from an 08, they are fantastic!

[nonameno]

Hello,

Wonderful review. I just put a box on order through the robusto rumble. If it is half as good as your cigar, I will be delighted.

Thank you,

Curtiss

[jquest63]

Nice Pics and review! The VR Famosos are one of my favorite robustos.

[Disburden]

Looks like a great smoke! I should probably get some of these, I will add them on the list of 15 boxes I want to get.

[partagasd4]

Thanks for the review. I think I'll pick up a single and try it out.

[Ellery]

Great review, great cigar

[mkz]

Great review!

The famosos is my latest love story! Recieved a box of these about a month ago and I love them! Couldnt stop myself and have just ordered another one...

Furthermore I also find the Hermoso #4 vitola to be a better sized "robusto" than the ones with 50 ring gauge.

[jquest63]

I've found that most of the recent production Vegas Robaina that I have tried (at least from 2006 - early 2009) have been tannic and with a lot of ammonia. Loved them when they were initially released. After a couple of experiences with some Famosos and DAs I've never went back to try these again. Last one was a 2006 DA in June 2009, still bitter and needed more age IMO.

Thanks for the review!

I had the same experience today with a late 2009 VR Famoso. It was very tannic and ammonia laden smoke. Gave up on it after 1st third. This is first time I've experienced this w/ VR Fam. Just finished a box of 2008 and they were fantastic. Won't touch another from my 09 box for at 6 months.

On that note also had 2 PLPC from2009 box that were also unsmokable, very tannic with ammonia. Hope this isn't a trend.

[ajgagnon]

Amazing cigars... I've never tasted chocolate and cocoa from any cigar like I have from these.

[Jaksen]

LOVE these cigars... the essens of honey and coffee... But the Don Alejandro is the absolute King in the Vegas family! Great Review!

[T297]

I think they are some of the best CC's around. Great smoking experience overall.

O

[bigfunkyg]

That ashtray is absolutely fantastic. Is there a story behind it? Where did you acquire it from?

[mhartnett]

That ashtray is absolutely fantastic. Is there a story behind it? Where did you acquire it from?

Thanks! My girlfriend is a biomedical scientist, and she travels to Sierra Leone several times a year to research Lassa fever. She got me the ashtray from a market on her first trip there. Seeing as it's just about the coolest thing on earth, it stuck.