Lars Tetens Fusako Review

[omowasu]

Style: Gigantes / Giant
Ring size: 64-66
Length: 6"



To be honest, I didnt want to smoke this cigar. It had been in storage for 3-4 years, and I believe humidity had been somewhat off for a portion of that time. Also, the damn thing is HUGE!!! Thats a Punch Rothchild for comparison next to it in the picture (50rg, 4.5" length)! I couldnt smoke it in the bar or lounge with the guys, as I would be at the rear end of phallic jokes for the next eternity. But, it was time for me to write my first review for CS and I figured I would start with the largest cigar I had. So, I rehydrated it for the last month or so at 65%RH and proceeded to spark it up in the privacy of my own backyard.

Overall, the cigar's appearance was good for being 4 years old. There was some minor cracking on the wrapper, but I almost expected that. The label was unique, and the cigar had some heft to it. The cigar had a mild tobacco/spice scent, there was not much of the typical aromatic smell left over time.

This thing was hard to light, too - I almost had to fire up a propane torch to get this one rolling. But, after a several second attempt with a strong butane lighter, I was herfin'. Initial flavors were mostly that of strong coffee. There was some underlying bitterness typical of young cigars, which puzzled me as this one was stored for so long. The puffed smoke had a rather unique aromatic smell, but the smoke itself didnt have the typical Lars Tetens taste that I knew rather well.

As things progressed (and the lawn was mowed), the burn became very uneven and required correction several times. About 1/2 way through, the cigar spooned, went out, and needed relighting. After the relight, the bitterness became much stronger and the cigar met an early death via lawn tractor blades.

I honestly cant rate this cigar - first of all, it is discontinued and has supposedly been replaced by a new Tetens cigar called "gorilla fingers" (same ring and length). Secondly, it was not stored well and this may have led to the uneven burn and spooning. But overall, I wouldnt buy another one. The tastes were not as complex as I would have liked for a premium cigar, so the fact that they are discontinued may not be so bad after all. I have a couple new Lars Tetens that I may post on at a later date.

[MisterSurgery]

I didn't think they even sold Tetens anymore. I was wondering how the quality of the tobacco would be once the "aromatic infusion stuff" wears down.

Good review. Thanks.

[Baric]

Wow interesting review, having seen the prices of these gars and read all the marketing spiel on his website i ve been interested to hear about these cigars. nice review

[omowasu]

Thanks! The Fusako was one of the older Lars lines, and it would appear that it didnt age well (some of it was probably my fault). I have some newer ones that I may review at some point though. I have had some phenomenal Lars Tetens sticks and some horrible Lars Tetens sticks - it was that variation in quality at the height of their popularity that made me cease buying them for a while. They are available out there now in limited quanities, and that might be for the better relative to quality control.