VR Famosos – ARS-ENE-19 (MM&SRW)

[StogieSteve23]

VR Famosos – ARS-ENE-19 (MM&SRW)

Opening Remarks: First review in a while with all the work travel going on. Grabbed this box on my last Havana trip in 2019.  Got it from the LCDH 5ta y 16 and was lucky enough to meet Carlos Robaina there.  This is one cigar that I’ve grown to love.  I remember smoking one on my first trip the island in 2017 and thought it was terrible.  Developing palates and better aged cigars will do that. 

Onto the stick now.  A BEAUTIFUL smooth golden almost honey colored wrapper with the VR band acting as an almost tonal contrast.  Minimal veins, no blemishes and what feels like a well packed cigar. Since it’s 2pm on a Tuesday, I’m balls deep in work and trying not to drink during the week (I’ve lost 15 pounds in the last 3 weeks because of it), I decided to pair the stick with a limoncello LaCriox and a couple lemon wedges.

Cold draw yields more resistance than I like, but not terrible.  Hay/barnyard, sun dried raisins.  

First Third: Pound cake, fresh wheat bread, honey on the lips. Draw is stick restricted a bit more than I’d like.  One good use of the PD to just past the bottom of the band and we’re in business. Smoke production and draw were exponentially better. Burn line is excellent at this point. The majority of the final third is a tang similar to orange marmalade. Not my favorite note, but not the worst.  Smoke coming off the foot smells like roasted sweet corn.

 

Second Third: Draw, combustion and burn are all great. After a sip of the LaCriox and a quick puff, a decadent funfetti taste consumes my mouth. The retrohale is floral with a touch of vanilla extract.  Hay and a fresh arugula flavor come in.  Slightly bitter with a fruity zest on the tongue. Hazelnut and Nilla Wafers.  Just before the second third ends, there is an interesting York Peppermint Pattie note.  Minty and dark chocolatey. The temperature of the cigar has remained consistent and cool the entire time.

Final Third:  Cinnamon oatmeal begins the final third. Graham cracker crumbles, similar to that of a pie crust come to dominate the palate. Smoke now smells like a sweet Riesling wine….very weird, but enjoyable. Draw, combustion and burn line are still great. Retro is a cakey and subtle. Lemon cake sans the icing. A smooth eggnog flavor comes through with just over an inch left. One minor touch up here to even things out and keep the enjoyment going as long as possible. Orange peels, zest and a delicious apricot jelly finish take over for the last few puffs, leaving me very satisfied with the stick.

 

Closing Remarks: Construction was flawless. Smooth progression of flavors with sweetness, bread notes and hints of floral.  Citrus and some baked goods.  I love this cigar and can say that its grown into one I thoroughly enjoy.  I don’t smoke them often, but when I do, I’m satisfied. The Limoncello LaCriox was a very nice pairing, as it wasn’t too overpowering on the sweetness and gave a good cleanser of the mouth with each puff/sip.

 

Burn: 4/5 (Great burn – one tiny touch-up in the final third)

Construction: 4/5 (Good draw/combustion once I slid the PD in)

Flavor: 4/5 (Very nice – smooth citrus, baked goods, slight peppermint in 2/3)

Smell: 5/5 (Sweet – Sweet corn in the first third transitioned to a Reisling smell)

Wrapper: 5/5 (Perfect – Golden sheen with no blemishes or imperfections)

Overall Score: 22/25

[Kaptain Karl]

Epic review (and mustache) man!! 

[StogieSteve23]

45 minutes ago, Kaptain Karl said:

Epic review (and mustache) man!! 

LOL, thanks brother.  It's been over a year going strong with it now haha.  Just gave it a little trim, but it's here to stay for a while haha. 

31 minutes ago, Lrabold89 said:

Enjoyed the review as always brother !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks buddy! They're always fun to do when time permits. 

[KCCubano]

Great review! Even better pint glass! The airing of grievances!

[StogieSteve23]

17 minutes ago, KCCubano said:

Great review! Even better pint glass! The airing of grievances!

I find your belief system, fascinating... 

[Mickey D]

Superb review. 

[Bagman]

What did you think of what was stocked at LCDH 5ta y 16?  I always found that place to have less of the rarer stuff than the other LCDH's on the island.

[Chucko8]

Nicely done Steve

[griller]

Great review thanks for sharing!

[Enduin]

Nice review! Definitely lighter wrapper than the ones I have (BSM 20) and different flavor notes as well; lots of chocolate, nutella, toast and latte in mine. Might be anecdotal but it does support the idea that wrappers matter.

[StogieSteve23]

13 hours ago, Mickey D said:

Superb review. 

Thanks Mickey! 

12 hours ago, Monterey said:

What did you think of what was stocked at LCDH 5ta y 16?  I always found that place to have less of the rarer stuff than the other LCDH's on the island.

Agreed.  Nothing stellar.  I really just wanted to check it out, as I hadn't been on my previous trips and hoped Carlos was there, which he was.  At the time the Isla had just come out a few months prior, so they were stocked on that. Cohibas I remember only Siglo I, II, Panatelas and thats it (probably a few more things in the back though).  Punch DC's, I got a couple boxes of "aged" (2016) JL1's but nothing else that really comes to mind as rare. I always find a couple goodies in Habana Libre, Partagas and also did so at Club Habana (but I brought gifts which helped give access to some stock in the back). 

11 hours ago, Chucko8 said:

Nicely done Steve

Thanks Chuck, I appreciate it 👍

11 hours ago, Enduin said:

Nice review! Definitely lighter wrapper than the ones I have (BSM 20) and different flavor notes as well; lots of chocolate, nutella, toast and latte in mine. Might be anecdotal but it does support the idea that wrappers matter.

I would certainly agree with you. Even if its the same wrapper but slightly darker, I'd tend to thing that even if its from a different plant, that wrapper might come from somewhere with different soil composition, sun exposure, etc. depending on where it was farmed. Since the two codes are different, I'd be more inclined to think they don't come from the same crop at all.