CBL Posted August 2, 2011 Posted August 2, 2011 A sad sight in my humidor as my favorite cigar, the Ramon Allones Small Club Corona, has become extinct. I've gone through two boxes in the past 9 months and they have been my trusty and loyal go-to cigar without ever disappointing. I've switched between a '08 box and a '10 box randomly without every really thinking about the difference between the two boxes. I always just assumed the '08 box was milder and more evened out and the '10 box had a rawer profile. So I decided to compare the two in an ultimate cigar showdown! Ramon Allones Small Club Corona TEB ABR 08 vs. Ramon Allones Small Club Corona POL NOV 10 First off, the appearance of both cigars is very different. The '08 one has a deep dark wrapper, boxpressed appearance and a smooth band wrapped around the cigar. The '10 one is much rounder, lighter colorade shade and a beautiful embossed band. Both wrappers are really rough and grainy, but that's what I expect from a RASCC. I'd never trust a smooth Cohiba-esqeu wrapper on a RASCC The '08 feels a little heavier in my hand and the anal person I am, I trow the two on a digital kitchen scale and find out the '08 is 6.5 grams and the other one is a mere 6 grams. This would explain the softer feel the '10 has. Aroma at cold: 08 - Smells cedery and rich, perfect draw after clipping and a slightly creamy and salty taste. 10 - Smells spicier and light, draw is a little loose (under filled) but mostly spice. 1/3: 08 - Light clouds of smoke and a faint hint of spice, the smoke becomes thicker as the cigar progresses and packs a real punch through the nose. The flavors are very distinct and full in aroma. A GREAT start and true to the legend that is RASCC. 10 - The younger version starts off with lots of thick snow white clouds of smoke and a woody aroma mixed with notes of light red wine. The cigar is much sweeter and milder through the nose compared to its mature counter part. 2/3 08 - The slight age on the cigar gives it a soft and smooth second third. It becomes a little dry to the mouth, which I enjoy. It reminds me of a dark roux (which is flour and butter cooked out) When the cigar is combined with a cup of coffee, it really makes the sweetness of the cigar come through. 10 - The flavors are much lighter and the cigar doesn't coat my mouth as much as the '08 does. The loose draw becomes a bit of a problem during the second third of the cigar and a taste of slightly burned toast comes through. Other than that the cigar shows clear coffee notes. 3/3 08 - The final third is full-on spice with an earthy flavor. A clear Small Club Corona finish that anyone that has smoked this beauty before would recognize. 10 - The younger Minuto stays on the coffee train with a salty side stop. Something that isn't unusual in this particular box. The Small Club Corona keeps surprising me and never ever disappoints. No matter if you age this cigar or smoke it right off the truck, it will hit you with the same profile over and over again. Age isn't an issue with this cigar, the only thing that effects it is its construction. An older one will taste more refined and fuller, but a young one will give you the same flavor profile in a lighter and fresher way. Smoking Small Clubs at different ages is like driving home via a new route. You'll experience some new things and might not recognize everything that's going on from previous trips, but your destination is always the same. And for me, smoking a RASCC is like coming home.
Styler Posted August 2, 2011 Posted August 2, 2011 Great comparison, many thanks! The RASCC is probably my favourite short smoke (in a battle with the Party Short), it never disappoints.
jedipastor Posted August 2, 2011 Posted August 2, 2011 Nice! i love head-to-head reviews, and doing it of the same cigar with different ages is pure genious! I'd love to see more reviews like this
ZAZ Posted August 2, 2011 Posted August 2, 2011 Awesome showdown comparison. I will definitely be picking up a box of these pretty soon.
Geo17pip Posted August 2, 2011 Posted August 2, 2011 Great review! Me love me some Rascc, great cigars!
riazp Posted August 2, 2011 Posted August 2, 2011 Love the review and comparisons between the two! I'm currently going through a box of RASCC and it as quickly become a go to smoke for me along with my ever trusty Partagas Shorts! probably my two favorite pc's
CUBANO Posted August 2, 2011 Posted August 2, 2011 Great review, one of my favorite cigars after lunch.
ramon_cojones Posted August 2, 2011 Posted August 2, 2011 These along with shorts and sig is are my fav small vitola cigars.<BR><BR>Nice review.
bassman Posted August 2, 2011 Posted August 2, 2011 Nice review & analysis. Some years ago there was a sale on these at around $75 abox. Picked up a lot- all from 07, so have had no need to get newer one. Didn't really like the 07s at first, but last year they started tasting very good. Probably smoke more of these than any minuto other than the BCJ.
El Presidente Posted August 2, 2011 Posted August 2, 2011 Excellent review! I have been reaching for the RASCC more and more of late (09/10) and have found them to be consistently rich little buggers representing RA well. The only complaint I have had over the past 5 years has been batches of tightly rolled boxes but this problem appears to have ease somewhat.
DblToro Posted August 31, 2011 Posted August 31, 2011 CBL, amazing review for me, and perfect for making a purchase decision, thank you bud.
Pilgrims Posted September 2, 2011 Posted September 2, 2011 Really good review, sounds like my favourites -Party short and Reyes - have some competition, will try one soon.
KWG116 Posted September 3, 2011 Posted September 3, 2011 CBL great review. I enjoy your posts and your passion for cigars. In the last month have smoked 07 08 and 10 rascc's. 07 s were good and my teb 08s are getting better. My first 10 rott was rough. Did not enjoy it. After reading your review again decided to smoke another 10. What a difference. Great RA flavor. Very bold. Was little underfilled but with the high humidity it got better as I smoked it. Deep wood and just a hint of the stone fruit I always look for in an RA but never seem to find. Was a last minute purchase that a friend offered me. Almost passed. I use to smoke rascc's a lot and fell off my radar. This 10 made fall in love with them again.
tinknocker924 Posted September 17, 2011 Posted September 17, 2011 Awesome review!!with the winter months rite around the corner here in north america I knew I had to buy a box of small cigars so I bougth the rascc pol nov 10 same boxcode as your box.the postman came an hour ago and I'm smoking one rite now as I'm writing this and all I can say is that iam very very impressed its hard to imagine these getting any better ina few years then again it is hard to imagine because they won't last that long with how good they are right now..
btrout Posted October 1, 2011 Posted October 1, 2011 Smoked my first RASCC last night that I picked up as a single from the Czar. Of course, I don't know the year produced. But, I was not impressed. It was an average to good cigar, tasting mostly of sweet tobacco, maybe a little spice. The draw was pretty good, however. I purchased it based on reviews I had seen, I believe on FOH. Last night I told myself that it wasn't worth trying again. But today, I read your review and I've decided I'm going to have to get them another try or two. Bob
aavkk Posted October 1, 2011 Posted October 1, 2011 Smoked my first RASCC last night that I picked up as a single from the Czar. Of course, I don't know the year produced. But, I was not impressed. It was an average to good cigar, tasting mostly of sweet tobacco, maybe a little spice. The draw was pretty good, however. I purchased it based on reviews I had seen, I believe on FOH. Last night I told myself that it wasn't worth trying again. But today, I read your review and I've decided I'm going to have to get them another try or two. Bob Bob I was in your exact same position roughly 4 years ago. I too decided I would give them another shot and I now have roughly 105 of these tasty little bastard in my possession. Perhaps the 07's were a better breed than the 11's I dont know, I just know that these cigars are fantastic. And the 07's are getting better.
Len Posted October 3, 2011 Posted October 3, 2011 I love reviews like this! Thanks. I"m glad I picked up 2 boxes of these recently. One from late 2010, and one from early 2011. The 2011's are deep and dark, and the 2010's are light colorado as you describe above. Can't wait to break into these.
ben058 Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 Great comparison! I just finished my first box of 010's. Will keep this one as a regular smoke because its just that bit more affordable, and even good without much age. Must say that on a price/quality level this little cigar for me beats most of the bigger regular production cigars. Regards, Ben
Hohenthal Posted October 22, 2011 Posted October 22, 2011 I could not agree more, RASCC have the fastest turn around in my rotation. Love them.
hdryder Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 Great review...one of the best I have read in a while. Thanks
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