My First Famous

[PerpetualNoob]

I don't do a lot of reviews, because I don't think I'm really very good at it, but here's one anyway. I really can't pick out all the flavor nuances that some reviewers can, so I have to give a more general impression of them, and focus more on the overall smoking experience.

About a week ago, I got some Famous Nicaraguan Habano torpedos that were on the Monster. I haven't tried any of the Famous house brands before, but a bundle of 20 for $25, I figured I would take the chance. They have only been in the cooler for a few days, but I couldn't wait to try one. I also have the last of a pot of Costco Sumatran coffee to go with it.

Smelling the wrapper and foot pre-light, I would call the aroma a hay-earth-barnyard thing, in all the best ways. There are a couple of wrapper issues, but nothing too serious. A small flake just below the band, a quarter-inch crack at the foot, and what appears to be another quarter-inch split just above the band, but I think it only goes through the outer layer of where the wrapper overlaps.

Clipped the point, and the draw is free and easy, which I like. Nothing too distinctive on the cold draw. The light was very easy. The first few puffs, I see lots and lots of thick smoke, which I also like. There is a powerful burst of spice, which I typically associate with Nicaraguan cigars, but within just a couple of minutes it mellowed down. I tend towards the mild to medium body cigars, but not often into the really full-bodied, so a lot of Nicaraguans are a little overpowering for me, but this is nice and tasty, without being too strong. The burn went a little wonky on me for a few minutes, bt it corrected itself nicely.

I'm about 1/3 into this torpedo, and I'm still getting tons of thick smoke. In the last few minutes, the spice has increased noticeably. The band came off easily, which I also like. It seems to have been put on carefully, just enough glue to hold it on, and not stuck to the wrapper at all.

Nearing half-way now, I'm very happy with my purchase. I just can't find anything about this smoke to object to, except maybe a B- grade for appearance. There's still lots of smoke. I put the flavor in the medium-full category. The ash is fairly soft and flaky, the kind that will fall off in your lap, if you let it get more than about 3/4". The wrapper ash is very light gray, with a salt-and-pepper core ash. The size on these is 6 1/8x52, which is a good size. it's big enough to give you a nice, cool smoke, but not too big. Whether it's a toro or a torpedo, this is just about the biggest size I really like. As I often do, I am wondering how this would taste in a corona size.

I'm starting into the last third, and the spice level has held steady, still getting plenty of thick smoke, but still cool, and the flavor is great, but the wrapper is starting to come apart all over the place. Since this is my first one, and only a few days off the truck, I'm going to take the blame for this one. Like I said, I just couldn't wait. I'll put a couple down for a nap in the humidor, and the rest of them in the cooler for a while and then see if some proper humidification helps the wrappers. Even though it's a cool, cloudy, rainy Autumn day, my RH here in the house is only showing 41%. I had some problems last Winter with Cameroon wrappers just being too delicate, and these may be, too. I don't seem to have as much problem with maduros.

I'm still loving the flavor on this. I'm starting to think I may need to adjust my cigar "menu" to the seasons, due to the exteme dryness. Smoke the maduros and other 'tougher' smokes in the drier months, and save the Cammies and other more delicate smokes for the warmer, more humid months. I'll know more in a couple of months, but I don't really have a problem with it. I'm a total maduro slut anyway, so it's not like it's some big sacrifice, or anything.

I'm getting down to the nub now, and the wrapper has completely gone to Hell, but I don't want to put it out! I'm still getting lots of spice and smoke, and still not at all hot, harsh, or tarry. They're not about to put Padron out of business, but this is a fantastic cigar bargain. If this is any indication of the general quality of the Famous house cigars, they're going to have a dedicated new customer. I think I have been depriving myself for no good reason, but believe me, I'm definitely on the Famous band-wagon now! Don't get me wrong, I'll still bitch about their shipping charges, but I'll buy from them anyway.

Well, I'm still getting cool, thick, spicy smoke, but it's getting short enough that it's a little hard to handle easily, so I'm going to very reluctantly put it in the ashtray and let it go out. Wrapper problems aside, which may have been my fault anyway, I'm still going to say this is one Helluva smoke for just a little over a dollar. Wow.

[ericb13]

Thanks for the review. I've been looking for a good review of these and I think I'll have to try and find me some.

[ejgarnut]

Well done review. Sounds like a good bargain.