Score: 8.7
By Tom Bullock
I was really looking forward to trying this Famous Nicaraguan 5000 Toro, the Brazilian Arapiraca wrapper is a dark chocolate brown, oily and toothy; the cigar is firm and heavy in the hand. The foot shows a well bunched and solid cigar. The pre-light exam provided aromas of well aged and spicy tobacco, the flavors are sweet and earthy. The cap is flat and cuts perfectly, showing no stems.
At light up there is a distinctive Nicaraguan burst of spicy cinnamon followed by rich tobacco flavors. The aromas are enticing and mouth watering. In the first third of this cigar there are flavors of caramel and light cocoa, toasted oak and fine leather. I had to look again to see what I was smoking; this tastes too good to be a bundle cigar. The flavors I tasted were light cedary notes, cinnamon, and gentle, rich tobacco. The finish is smooth and slightly lingering, very tasty and pleasant.
In the second half there are increased flavors of leather, traces of oak leaf, and a lovely tobacco sweetness. The caramel notes are pronounced with a note of pepper on a lingering finish. I looked again to be sure what I was smoking. I wasn’t prepared for the depth of flavor in this cigar. The aroma became much more pronounced as tasty and very satisfying layers of spice and cedar mingled with oak and leather notes.
The last third of this smoke was amazing! Very intense, concentrated flavors and a creamy note rounded this cigar out with some slight earthiness making for a wonderful experience. The pepper and caramel both blended nicely, plus there was a salty note that lasted to the end.
This cigar has a big flavor profile, intense aromas, and a well rounded palate that immediately made me want to light up another one. The burn was perfect all the way to the nub. I have seldom been this surprised and delighted by a bundle cigar. You can be sure I will recommend this one to my friends.
I strongly suggest getting some of these and aging them, I can tell they will be amazing with a little humidor time. Thank you Famous for letting me review this blend.
Scores
Appearance-9
Construction-9
Draw-9
Burn-9
Aroma-8
Flavor-8
Balance-9
Total Score: 8.7
Executive Editor
Gary Korb has been writing and editing content for CigarAdvisor.com since its debut in 2008. An avid cigar smoker for over 30 years, he has worked on the marketing side of the premium cigar business as a Sr. Copywriter, blogger, and Executive Editor of Cigar Advisor. A graduate of the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, prior to his career in the cigar business, Gary worked in the music and video industry as a marketer and a publicist.
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