maverickdrinker Posted May 27, 2012 Posted May 27, 2012 The RE Libano Ramon Allones 30the Anniversario Phoenicia Sublime was released in 2008. 6000 boxes of 30 cigars each. In 2009, an additional 3,000 boxes of 15 cigars were released. The presentation of this cigar is extrodinary. The intricate detail on the band is gorgeous, from the raised embossed lettering to the rounded Phoenicia logo. Just stunning. Makes you salivate as you get ready to smoke it. Very classy! This is a big cigar. 54 ring gauge by 6.5 inches. Give yourself a lot of time to enjoy this size. Something about the sublime size just feels right. Like success. This is a celebratory type of cigar. Nice weight and heft to it. The cigar has a deep, rich chocolate wrapper. Reminds me of a chocolate bar. The wrapper isn't smooth at all. Toothy, rustic, forthcoming. Rough to the touch. Other Phoenicia Sublimes haven't been this rough. A squeeze throughout the cigar is decent. I detect a little soft spot in the middle of the cigar. Hope that this doesn't pose any draw issues. The triple cap is nicely constructed and a little tight when squeezed. Intial smell from the wrapper reminds me of Kona coffee. Rich, creamy, nutty. Some cocoa and molasses as well. A quick punch through the triple cap and we are almost ready to go. Cold draw reduces my angst regarding air flow. The draw is easy peasy. A few cold draws bring dried nuts and fruit, expresso and a very faint hint of cedar. Time to take this to the flame.
maverickdrinker Posted May 27, 2012 Author Posted May 27, 2012 molasses/brown sugar comes rifling through the first initial draws. cedar, nutmeg, raisins, and a hint of honey follow suit. Some earthiness to accent the flavours. The ash is a "Dirty" grey. flaky. Draw is loose, a little too loose. Wish there was more resistance here. Very mellow cigar. Puts you in a deep meditative state. not much strength here at all. Pure flavour. volumes of smoke coming from this. A nice creaminess to this cigar. A subtle cuban 'twang' comes through now. Not 1 flavour dominates. Every pull brings a different story. Everything is in harmony, like watching a great, fine tuned ensemble band kicking ass on stage, bringing the house down. Cedar and earthy tones starting to take the limelight. Burn is getting a little wonky. Time for a touch up.
maverickdrinker Posted May 27, 2012 Author Posted May 27, 2012 Burn line is a little funkified tonight. Can't get it to straighten out. It is rebelling against coformity. You can tell from looking at the ash where the cigar was underfilled. Interesting. Loads of chocolate and cream now. The raisins went out for a walk. Cedar, leather and spice fill the void. More bolder now. strength has picked up. Molasses/brown sugar is back. Some graham cracker pays a short visit as well. More creamy coffee, mocha notes with some nuttiness as well as some marzapan/almond extract coming through. Strength has toned down or I have gotten used to it. Ash is holding on throughout the 2nd third. Hope this doesn't fall on me. Draw is still too loose for my liking. The flavours are very refined and vary in appearance. Always mixing it up. This cigar reminds me of a Staurbucks Mocha Cappucino with a almond flavour shot added for good measure. The aroma from the smoke reminds me of black licorice and star anise. Will this damn burn line ever straighten out???? Ash is a darker 'dirty' shade of grey. The aftertaste is loooonnnggg and built with cedar and earth.
maverickdrinker Posted May 27, 2012 Author Posted May 27, 2012 brown sugar, dried fruit, coffee, earth and nuts. Like a chocolate fruit nut bar. World is slowing down to a snail's pace. I feel like Neo in the Matrix. Everything is in slow motion. Mesmerizing!!!! Flavours more robust, no precise is a better description. pure cocoa, black coffee, an element of creaminess to round it out. Molasses is back in a big way. HEY-OOOOO!!!!!! back to dried nuts and fruit then to chocolate/coffee and molasses. Back and forth. Like 2 titans on a tennis court, blasting the ball to and fro. This is sort of fun, trying to guess which combination of flavours will come next.
maverickdrinker Posted May 27, 2012 Author Posted May 27, 2012 FInal Impressions: LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! The refined flavours. The complexity. The change ups through the cigar. The nuances. FANTASTIC!!!! This is a cigar to enjoy with some great friends, having some great conversation. An orchestra of flavours, playing in unison, not solos here. An ensemble of deliciousness. Two hours of pure fun!!!!
Styler Posted May 27, 2012 Posted May 27, 2012 This cigar is No 1 on my must try list, it has been for some time. Never managed to track one down though. Sounds like you really enjoyed it despite the construction issues, nice review!
tempbond Posted May 27, 2012 Posted May 27, 2012 Thanks for the review Art. I heard that this one is one of the best REs out there. I wantes to buy some when I went to Cyprus about a month ago, since the Casa del habano there are owned by Phoenicia, but there weren't any
bassman Posted May 27, 2012 Posted May 27, 2012 Very interesting review. The couple I smoked have been VERY strong.
LLC Posted May 27, 2012 Posted May 27, 2012 Great review Art. I'd love to get my hands on some of those.
TMS36 Posted May 28, 2012 Posted May 28, 2012 Prob the best RE I have smoked to date. I have a handful of these left and am almost due for a revisit!
hsmunoz Posted July 8, 2012 Posted July 8, 2012 these have hit their stride. Had one yesterday, and it kept my attention for over 2 hrs. The RA profile, stone fruit , was there in spades. Perfect burn , a real gem.
Jnaube Posted July 8, 2012 Posted July 8, 2012 What a review Art... And what a cigar. Hmmmmhmhmmmhmmm.
Nino Posted July 8, 2012 Posted July 8, 2012 Art, thank you for the great and extensive review !! Can only share and confirm it - we had a RA Phoenicia 30 ( or 32, not sure as we were watching the soccer semifinals ) a few weeks ago and it was, as you describe yours : LOVED IT! Regards
Habano Posted July 11, 2012 Posted July 11, 2012 Great review. I've been looking to buy a box from the original release of 30.
Nino Posted July 17, 2012 Posted July 17, 2012 Danke Herr J. :-) Funny you posted this today - as I'm picking up a box of Phoenicia 30 this afternoon ( and a new set of wheels :-) . I know what Phoen. 30 and 32 means, but I keep confusing the vitolas ....
Nino Posted July 17, 2012 Posted July 17, 2012 Who was I talking to!? :-) Enjoy the new box, never enough of that one. New set of wheels? Congrats! Porsche? Sorry for the Off-Topic : Hallo Herr J. just back from picking up the new wheels - no Porsche - too tall for that, guess again ... :-) New wheels are Opel Astra, 1,4 Turbo, 140 hp .. PM sent.
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