Brick House Fumas — Heritage & History
Brick House Fumas began as the value-priced sibling to the acclaimed Brick House line, born from the J.C. Newman family’s desire to offer a cigar that carried the same structural integrity and blend DNA at a more accessible price point. Produced in Danlí, Honduras, at the HATSA factory—a facility shared with General Cigar—the Fumas line leverages the same thick, oily Connecticut Shade and Habano wrappers that define the core Brick House range, but with a shorter, secondary fermentation process that softens the profile. The name 'Fumas' nods to the Spanish verb for smoking, signaling its purpose as an everyday, no-frills smoke. Unlike many budget lines that strip away complexity, the Fumas retains the original’s signature pressed-box-press shape and hearty draw, making it a standout in the $6–$12 bracket. The Mighty Mighty (a 6 x 60) and the Double Connecticut Churchill showcase this approach, delivering a medium-bodied experience that punches above its price point. For collectors, the Fumas represents a rare case where a legacy brand’s second line becomes a benchmark for value-driven blending.
Blending Philosophy
Brick House Fumas is built on a 'less is more' approach to aging, not a reduction in tobacco quality. The blend uses the same Honduran and Nicaraguan long-fillers as the flagship Brick House, but the leaves undergo a shorter, controlled fermentation—typically 12–18 months versus the 24+ of the premium line—to yield a smoother, more approachable smoke. The wrappers vary by iteration, from Honduran Habano to Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade, with some Double Connecticut vitolas employing a double-wrapper application for added depth. Construction remains a priority: each cigar is box-pressed to ensure a consistent burn and draw, a hallmark of the HATSA factory’s standards. The result is a line that sacrifices some of the aged complexity of its parent brand but retains a balanced, medium-strength core, with the Mighty Mighty pushing into medium-full territory. This is blending for daily function, not showpiece—a deliberate choice that sets Fumas apart from other budget lines.
Flavor Profile
Across the Brick House Fumas range, smokers can expect a core of cedar and leather, with a subtle white pepper tingle on the retrohale that fades into a dry, earthy finish. The Connecticut-wrapped vitolas—like the Double Connecticut Robusto—introduce a creamy, mild-medium profile with notes of toasted almond and a hint of sweet hay, while the Habano-wrapped versions, such as the Toro, deliver a darker cocoa and dried fruit undertone. The Mighty Mighty, with its medium-full strength, amps up the pepper and adds a touch of espresso bitterness. The Double Connecticut Churchill, with its double wrapper, layers a buttery smoothness over the cedar base, creating a more rounded experience. Strength varies from mild-medium to medium-full, but the common thread is a clean, straightforward flavor that never veers into harshness, even at the larger gauges.
Best for Beginners
For a newcomer, the Brick House Fumas Corona is the ideal entry point. At $6–$9, it’s a low-risk investment, and its mild-medium strength won’t overwhelm. Expect a gentle opening of cedar and light leather, with a creamy finish from the Connecticut Shade wrapper. The 5.5 x 42 format smokes in about 45 minutes, offering a manageable introduction to the brand’s character without the time commitment of a Churchill.
Brick House Fumas Cigar Lineup
Explore 12 Brick House Fumas cigars in the AshMap encyclopedia:
- Churchill — Churchill, Medium · $7–$10 per cigar
- Corona — Corona, Mild-Medium · $6–$9 per cigar
- Double Connecticut Churchill — Churchill, Mild-Medium · $8–$12 per cigar
- Double Connecticut Lonsdale — Lonsdale, Mild-Medium · $6–$9 per cigar
- Double Connecticut Robusto — Robusto, Mild-Medium · $8–$12 per cigar
- Double Connecticut Toro — Toro, Mild-Medium · $6–$9 per cigar
- Double Connecticut Torpedo — Torpedo, Mild-Medium · $8–$12 per cigar
- Lonsdale — Lonsdale, Medium · $6–$9 per cigar
- Mighty Mighty — Giant / Gordo, Medium-Full · $8–$12 per cigar
- Robusto — Robusto, Medium · $6–$9 per cigar
- Toro — Toro, Medium · $6–$9 per cigar
- Torpedo — Torpedo, Medium · $8–$12 per cigar
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Brick House Fumas cigars made?
Brick House Fumas cigars are produced in Danlí, Honduras, at the HATSA factory, a facility shared by J.C. Newman and General Cigar. Some blend iterations also source filler from Estelí, Nicaragua, but the rolling and aging occur in Honduras.
What is Brick House Fumas known for?
Brick House Fumas is known for delivering a box-pressed, medium-bodied smoke at a value price point, using the same tobacco grades as the premium Brick House line but with a shorter fermentation. The Mighty Mighty and Double Connecticut Churchill are standout vitolas that demonstrate this approach.
Are Brick House Fumas cigars strong?
No, they are not strong in the traditional sense. The lineup ranges from mild-medium (e.g., Double Connecticut Lonsdale) to medium-full (e.g., Mighty Mighty), with most vitolas sitting at a comfortable medium. The Connecticut-wrapped versions are the mildest, while the Habano-wrapped ones offer more pepper and body.
What is the best Brick House Fumas cigar for beginners?
The Brick House Fumas Corona is the best choice for beginners due to its mild-medium strength, approachable price, and shorter smoking time. Its Connecticut Shade wrapper delivers a smooth, creamy profile with no harshness, making it an easy introduction to the brand.
How much do Brick House Fumas cigars cost?
Prices range from $6 to $12 per cigar, depending on the vitola. The Corona, Lonsdale, and Toro sit at the lower end ($6–$9), while the Churchill, Robusto, Torpedo, and Mighty Mighty are priced higher ($8–$12).
What wrapper does Brick House Fumas use?
The wrappers vary by blend iteration. The core line uses Honduran Habano or Honduran Connecticut Shade, while the Double Connecticut series employs a Connecticut Shade (USA) double-wrapper application or a Connecticut Broadleaf accent. Some versions use Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade or Nicaraguan Connecticut Broadleaf Shade or Natural, with the majority relying on Honduran or Nicaraguan natural leaves.
Are Brick House Fumas cigars Cuban?
No, Brick House Fumas cigars are not Cuban. They are made in Honduras, specifically in Danlí, with some filler tobacco sourced from Nicaragua. The brand has no connection to Cuba, and its production is entirely based in Central America.
Where can I buy Brick House Fumas cigars?
Brick House Fumas cigars are widely available at major online retailers like Cigars International, Famous Smoke Shop, and JR Cigars, as well as many brick-and-mortar tobacconists. Given their price point, they are often sold in bundles or samplers, making them a common fixture in discount cigar catalogs.