RA Lusitanos - Portugal RE

[pedromendes]

Last week I returned from a 3-week family holiday in Portugal to celebrate my 40th birthday. We spent most of our time in the tiny village where my dad was born, with short trips to Lisbon and Porto. In the former, I bought myself a box of last year's Regional Edition, the Ramon Allones Lusitano. I couldn't think of a better place to smoke this cigar than in the courtyard of one of the village's cafes, overlooking the edge of town, and the mountains of Serra da Estrella.

I ordered my usual accompaniment to cigars while in Portugal: an espresso and sparkling water, and took in the full glory of this little beauty - the wrapper is shimmering with oils, almost the same colour as the crema on my coffee:

The cigar starts huge out of the gate, with big but very smooth cedar and sweet tobacco flavours, and subtle fruitiness. After a few puffs, it settles into delicious medium body with fragrant, rich and sweet smoke.

The end of the first third is still medium bodied and smooth with building tastes of burnt caramel and espresso. Only issue is a VERY meandering burn line - too humid?

At the halfway point, strength is building and the cigar is developing more of that deep and complex RA profile. End of the second third, and the cigar has moved into med-full with rich, complex flavors of roast pork, extra virgin olive oil and sweet nutmeg. I had finished my espresso by now, so I moved on to some chilled, local wine (at only 30 cents a glass!).

The cigar effortlessly drew to a close, finishing without any harshness of youth, while full bodied and powerful, rich with leather, fresh baked chorizo bread and heavy, earthy olive oil. (Who says we aren't effected by our surroundings!)

Smoking time - a glorious hour. Rating - 93

This cigar is an instant classic, and one that I would welcome in regular production. I'm just not sure it's going to happen, as the shop I visited had piles and piles of them left. If you find yourself in Portugal, with 100 Euros to spare, I would highly recommend them.

Next up, my review of a 40 year old H. Upmann!

[maverickdrinker]

nice review Pedro. Welcome back. Sounds like it was a good trip.

[riazp]

very nice review Pedro, I myself have been sampling more and more portugese wines, which I have enjoyed very much and very well priced in quebec! I nice wine from the duoro region pairs tremendously well with a CC

[PuffDaddie]

Great review, Bravo,Bravo.

[mbrody]

Awesome review, thanks for sharing!

[cckandb24]

Sounds like a tremendous smoke and great surroundings. Thanks for the review

[goalie204]

Great review Pedro. I have 2 of

These cigars, but haven't tried one yet. I'd love to have a box

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