VR Famosos ARS FEB 19 FWRC

[NSXCIGAR]

Famosos have become a regular rotation cigar for me. I smoke a lot of Connie 1 and it's a nice stronger alternate option. 

Prelight: light barnyard with some cinnamon? Draw is a little tight but a half-inch down with the Perfecdraw opens it right up. 

First third: opens strong, lots of bitter chocolate. Very nice. Just over medium. A little spice.

Second third: the dried fruitiness starts to come in. Nicely balanced. Construction solid. Not razor sharp burning but no touchups needed.

Last third: No real change which is great. Cigar stays in balance all the way. Kind of two-sided with the semi-sweet chocolate and prune flavors but that's fine with me. A very nice blend. Strength is 3/5. Very well done.

These are not the most complex cigars but I'm grading harshly. Getting cigars with any balance and complexity is a tall order. With better raw materials this cigar has great potential to be a mid-90s stick but I don't know if this blend is capable of high 90s. I've always loved the no-nonsense approach of VR and it's a refreshing option from my regular Connie 1 or Monte. My score: 92 points.

[RDB]

Nice review, thoughtful and carefully judged. Cheers!

[Vortigan]

Good stuff! I'm working on a May '16 box at the moment and I made the last one a 91. Chocolate based breakfast cereal (milk included) and a sweet pastry coming in around halfway 

[NSXCIGAR]

2 hours ago, Vortigan said:

Good stuff! I'm working on a May '16 box at the moment and I made the last one a 91. Chocolate based breakfast cereal (milk included) and a sweet pastry coming in around halfway 

These have been very solid since 15-16 IMO. If a cigar achieves "regular rotation" status for me it has to be a consistent performer over at least 2 years as I'm forced to buy a lot of my regular rotation blind from time to time. The Famosos has earned its spot.

I've really moved away from Bolivar as I think the VR blend is much more consistently blended. The dried fruit flavor is always there in the VR and been MIA for the most part in Boli for a long time save for the occasional BCJ. I would say at this point I'd take a VR over a Boli any time.

 

[Isaac]

One of my staples!!

[cbenham73]

Very good review. I hope to make this one of my staples.