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[PigFish]

Ramon Allones Petit Coronas vintage 2001

So after telling another member that he should just smoke his box of Boli PC's I thought I would practice what I preach and look for a box that needed opening. Now I have been stewing on breaking in a new cab of Punch SS #1's but they have not made the 10 year mark yet, so I passed over them and hit these.

These are actually one of my favorite PC's. Now I like most PC's and Marevas however there are some that I like more than others. Frankly the intensity of these cigars is not often found in cigars today.

There is not a lot to write about here. These cigars are not overly complex. There are a few flavors and these cigars don't really have a lot of character. They are what I refer to as monotonic. BUT, they are anything but monotonous! These are still pretty brash, but the real knife edge is gone. They don't have a lot of pepper, nor do they pinch the nose, but they still will tie your tongue up in knots.

This particular cigar was really stiff, but the draw was real nice. Of course this cigar has been stored sub-60 RH for a long time now. Somehow the cigar seemed light to me but I think that was just an illusion. The smoke was very thick and unctuous. This boy had a lot of constitution and forced me adjust my smoking style a bit. I have a palate of a goat so I typically must draw on a cigar 2 to 3 full draws to really experience the flavor "hit" that I like. This cigar allowed me to smoke more slowly... and as I was on my way to the feed store when I lit this one up, I actually pulled over to enjoy it a bit more than while driving. I smoked this intese cigar much more slowly than i would a PLPC or similar PC.

The main characteristic of this smoke was that of burnt sugar, but with a hint of fat. Something like a custard with burnt sugar, but not quite as sweet. Almost like a toasty burnt marshmallow, for you fireside types.

There were rounded tannins, without the bitter, a great mouth feel and even a little tingle on my gums. The cigar was extraordinary! I am guessing that this box will not last long as long as it remains in reach.

This cigar is a good reason to be upset at Tabacuba et al. This 4 to 5 dollar cigar is why it is preposterous to pay $50.00 for a cigar. I could easily stack this cigar up against any high priced fatty and walk away with the heavyweight belt.

Thanks for reading. -the Pig

[peanutpete]

nice review i do love a cigar that makes you stop what ever you are doing just to savour the flavour

[isa]

Great review & thoughts, thanks Another one that has bitten the dust

[NJP]

I enjoy the BS free review. Thanks mate.

[mk05]

this is exactly how i feel about the old partagas sdc #1s. just a great smoke that brings a smile to your face.

[laficion]

Yes Ray, a great cigar it was indeed.

I have nothing much to add to your review,another beautiful cigar that

RA used to have in their regular line, from 16 vitoles, today we have only 3.

OH well , what do I know about business ?

[aavkk]

thanks for the review Ray. I've never had the opportunity to smoke a RA PC and have heard mixed reviews. Considering the price they command I don't think I will be seeking them out anytime soon.

[dB69]

Thanks for the review! Would like to have one or more.

Noticed that you have smoked a fat cigar recently..

[riazp]

Thanks for the review! Would like to have one or more.

Noticed that you have smoked a fat cigar recently..

Hence why it was ashed probably half way through lol! Thanks for the Review Ray. What i would not give to try some of the older production RA's like the PC and the 898

[CanuckSARTech]

Cheers Ray. A nice review - its been too long since I remember you doing one, so it was very nice to read your straight-up thoughts. Kudos.

[PigFish]

Thanks for the review! Would like to have one or more.

Noticed that you have smoked a fat cigar recently..

True... I am a purest only in that I love a good-great cigar. I don't really care about the size beyond that of preference and historical performance. I would regularly smoke robustos because they are available if they tasted like these. But to me, they don't reliably perform like this. It is all about taste to me, and cost as well I guess.

As far a cost is concerned, I don't think one should be anxious about smoking. I seem to be when I anticipate smoking a $30+ cigar. There are people who will light up $50 bucks (as in a cigar) and drop half of it on the floor. And while I will toss a bad cigar, regardless of cost it makes me uncomfortable now to burn up cigars that cost that much. I understand a wasteful mentality as I very well fit the mould when I was young. I shudder to think the money, and the halves of expensive cigars that I have left on a craps tables and in gambling halls!!! Frankly I would never do that again even if my income was what it used to be! Live and learn I suppose.

Frankly I would rather feed poor people and be charitable, save wild horses, house lost pets and help my neighbors than help some REIT build a bigger building to add more slot machines. My priorities have changed. My neighbor is an out of work mason. His truck died last week and it looks like he needs a new fuel pump. I would rather buy him the pump and put it in for him than I would buy myself a $50 dollar cigar. So that is what I am gonna' do!!! But I digress...

The fat cigar is in fact an '08 Monte 2. It was a nice cigar, but not worth writing about!!! Good eyes!

Cheers. -Piggy

[mk05]

M2? you really lop off the top on a cigar! Couldn't even tell it was a torpedo.

[PigFish]

M2? you really lop off the top on a cigar! Couldn't even tell it was a torpedo.

Yep mate!!! Timid cutting is for timid people! You would be surprised the draw change by cutting into the bunch rather than trying to force air though the folds of the capped tobacco. Try it sometime.

Cheers! -Piggy

[CanuckSARTech]

Yep mate!!! Timid cutting is for timid people! You would be surprised the draw change by cutting into the bunch rather than trying to force air though the folds of the capped tobacco. Try it sometime.

Cheers! -Piggy

Maybe that's why you don't like the bigger cigars then, too much draw for you by cutting off too much???

[dvickery]

it has been a while since i smoked a cigar and said "this is a strong cigar"...that was a box of allones pc's last summer.

to me...balance is important(between flavour and strength)...even tho they were pretty strong cigars the outstanding flavours made sure these cigars remained well balanced and enjoyable.

a great review...thank you

derrek

[ramon_cojones]

This is a quality review, thanks.

One of the strongest cigars I smoked was a tiny 95 partagas charlotte.

[winelover]

Great review, thanks Piggy.

[OZCUBAN]

Great review thanks Ray

I think you are right on every level ,once again ,but let's not get started on the HSA et al thing

I am so jealous you still have a cab of SS#1's unopened ,I have half a cab left from 02 and that are Sublime ,but alas once they are gone ,that is it ,better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all

Cheers OZ

[jedipastor]

Great review, these sound amazing! That's a flavor profile that I'd love to try. Wish they still made these so I could get some!

[Bartolomeo]

Good stuff Ray!

[BonVivant]

Thank you for a wonderful confirmation on those! Long overdue!