Factory throwouts were the very second cigar I ever had. The sweet tip pulled my extremely unsophisticated oalate right in, and I found it much more satisfying than my first cigar, an Ashton Classic. Between that wonderful treat and buying this bundle, I tried other good cigars, like Punch, AJ Fernandez, Liga Privada, and Romeo Y Julieta. Now that I could understand the different flavors and appreciate some of them, I decided to revisit my beloved Factory Throwouts and see what new flavors I could experience with my growing understanding of premium cigars. What delicious notes could I expect when paired with my morning coffee? I anticipated cocoa and coffee, wood and hay. I expected a changing profile as I worked my way through the stick. I imagined more delicate notes that I hadn’t experienced before. What I got was… a cigar. It was not harsh. The draw was fine. The burn was good. But it was just a cigar. I tasted a confused jumble of vague cigar wheel entries that never changed. Cocoa and hay and coffee and wood were ever present from start to finish, but even these flavors were overpowered by the sweet tip that I now recognized as the flavor that made my first experience so special. It didn’t taste bad or bland or bitter. It just was. There was nothing to ponder and nothing to excite the taste buds. This cigar was just boring. I rated this a four because of my initial experience. As a second cigar, it gave me encouragement to try others and explore the varieties available in the humidor. It taught me how to properly cut, light, and enjoy the cigar smoking ritual from start to finish. I learned how to slow down and savor the moment. If someone came to me and had never tried a cigar, I would give them a Factory Throwout with joy. As an educational experience for a first timer, I believe it to be a wonderful introduction to the hobby. A first cigar should be simple and approachable. Sadly, my first was an Ashton Classic that was completely wasted as I mangled it and smoked it too fast. I wish someone had handed me a Factory Throwout to learn on and given me an Ashton a little later.
