Vegas Robaina Famoso AML NOV 06 ***

[yossie]

Great review rob!

I really love the cigar and have a box from SEP 06.

Some of sticks in it are same with yours and the others are fruity.

I don't know why taste changes in a box...

Anyway I've never seen more beauty than VR!! Yes Taste is not a problem for me

[anacostiakat]

Firecracker of a review! Peeks my interest. . . :-P

[kjellfrick]

Always good to read your reviews, Prez. I haven't smoked any Famoso even close to the strength you describe, but my first Punch SS2 out of the cab was a parallell experience - fear and fascination!

[n2advnture]

I've never seen that much ligero in a VR Fam before!

~Mark

[sptcigars]

Great review. You had my heart racing when reading about your increased buzz. I recently had the famosos and as you know from my review I was blown away with the cocoa flavor. I didn't get that buzz but I;m with you on the flavors. Good thing you didn't try it with coffee :-D you wouldnt have made it as far as you did.

[Colt45]

With these two reviews, my last remaining single's time is short :-)

Maximus, sorry to hear you had trouble handling this cigar. These things can happen

as one gets older. Perhaps you need one of those filtered cigar holders.......

[winelover]

Superb review Rob! I love a good nicotine buzz now and again. Did your lips begin tingling? Mine do. Just lap it up!

[jwm8592]

Hey Rob, thanks as always for the great review. ot sure I'm ready for that, I'll take my licks from your experience . Touche fair leader.

[El Presidente]

Vegas Robaina Famoso AML NOV 06

After the recent stella review of an aged Famoso I thought it apt to try a recent production NOV 06.

I have mixed feelings on the Famoso in general. I was in love with them back in 2001 and fell out of love in 04/05. To be honest for every excellent example I had too many grassy flaovurless examples which have not improved to any great degree over the years. I am a fickle lover. Once I fall out of love with a cigar it can be a long time before I revisit. The reality is that there are too many great cigars out there to bugger around with underperforming sticks.

So with a little trepidation and equal amount of anticipation I reached for a Famoso from an open box of NOV 06. Good looking cigar, well constructed with a nice cocoa aroma at cold which is identifiable with the Famoso.

Have a close look at the below crossectional photo. The roller was in a good mood...or lazy one. The dark section is Ligero and it extends from the centre to the left hand side wrapper. I wondered if this was extended throughout the cigar because if it were then it would account for close to 25 % of the cigar. I can't recall seing this before.

Cerrated the cap and took a test draw. Spot on with the right amount of resistance and some residual cocoa, cream and toasted tobacco on the lips.

Fired up the foot with our deck Lotus Table lighter. I have had it for a year and it must have lit 1000 cigars by now between myself and guests to our humble abode. Never once let us down.

The cigar takes flame willingly and there is dense aromatic grey smoke which wafts cocoa and toffee. The initial draws were dissapointing. A real herbaceous edge in a mid body format. I swore to myself in some disappointment. Lisa will tell you that I have a habit of talking to my cigars and I unleashed a tirade of abuse along the lines that it was a showpony gutless wonder. Well it must have worked because at 1/4 inch in it transformed itself into a full bodied powerhouse that made me take stock. I haven't witnessed such a transformation in a cigar in a matter of draws.

The previous herbaciosness disappeared entirely. In its place was black pepper, loads of cocoa, thick cream and enough nicotine to kill a brown dog.

I was drinking a Turkey Flat Shiraz with the cigar but I felt the need to go and get a tall glass of water. The nicotine buzz from this cigar was intense and to tell you the truth I was feeling a little queezy. I can count on one hand the number of times this has occured to me and normally with the occasional fresh and young Partagas Connoisseur No 3.

While the strength and nocotine was in many ways over the top...the cocoa and cream notes were sensational. I don't know how to describe the sensation.....picture temptress sea sirens calling a boat captain to the jagged rocks. I feel dizzy, I feel slightly nauseated...and yet....THE COCOA AND CREAM!!!!

Took another series of draws, heart rate up....exhaled through the nose and there is intense spice. Put the Famoso down...a sip of water...can't even touch the wine. Another draw...thick on the palate...immediate sensations are lush chocolate/cocoa followed by cream....and then light headedness.

I am halfway through and seriously thinking about putting the cigar away. I am almost beaten. It is simply one of the strongest cigars I have ever experienced...not necessarily strong on the palate (although medium full) but intensely strong in terms of nicotine.

I decide to head to the fridge and roll up a slice of bread with some aged cheddar and a slice of hot Spanish salami). Braced with a bite to eat (although I ate lunch only three hours earlier (Diana makes me lunch every day...love you honey ;-) ....Lisa used to make me lunch....but apparently the role has been delegated :-D ),

I approached the Famoso again with a great deal of respect. Mouthfull of wine to cleanse the palate ;-) ....I found the Famoso to still be smouldering after the 5 minute break. I touched up the burn and purged the cigar. Took a series of deep draws.

I feel myself rocking on my chair....but am not moving. The cocoa and cream are intense and I want to envelope myself in their arms but after another 20 minutes I am thoroughly beaten. I can't progress past the band. No bitterness, no elements of ovious youth in terms of astringency....just whipped my arse through nicotine and the myriad of physical effects that such an intense dose brings on.

I can't rate this cigar. Potential unlimmited. However I am not sure that it is atypical of current production Famoso's. May be just a bastard child from the box. I was beaten in a fair fight and I am not beaten easily.