maverickdrinker Posted October 1, 2012 Posted October 1, 2012 I've always loved the feeling of opening a new cabinet of cigars. Just the aroma that comes out of the box is sooooo delightful and intoxicating!!!! I recently purchased a cabinet of 2011 RASS and wanted to give one a try. Such a great presentation!!! Love the Slide Lid Boxes. The box code on this one was POL MAR 11. I figured I would get them in the freezer and break one out when I returned from a business trip in Montreal. I always stop in to say hi to Carlos at the LCDH in Montreal. When I got there, he said that I needed to try one of the RASS from the cabinet that they just got in. He said that they were smoking magnificently. I took a look at the box code. POL MAR 11. Success. I don't need to break my cabinet at home. I'll just buy one here and give it a whirl.
maverickdrinker Posted October 2, 2012 Author Posted October 2, 2012 This RASS is stellar looking. I tend to like the rounded shape of a RASS vs. the box press however, beggars can't be choosers. It's tough to snag a cabinet due to their low production and that they are snapped up quickly when released. The Ramon Allones Specially Selected is a traditional robusto vitola. It comes in at a 50 ring gauge and 4.9 inches in length. There is a nice, deep richness of colour from this wrapper. Like a deeper shade of almond colour. Sooo nice. The construction on this is excellent. No soft spots. Nice and plump. Ready to be smoked. The foot of the cigar is packed and the triple cap looks good as well. Aromas of earthiness, dried fruit and leather emanate from the wrapper. A quick punch and we are almost ready to go. The cold draw reveals the same dried fruit, earthiness and leather combination. Time to take this to the flame.... First Third There is such a nice richness of flavours in this cigar. Very pronounced flavours that combine into one nice robusto package. Leather, earthiness, candied fruit and ginger hit the palate running. Nothing shy about this cigar. The ash is a 'Dirty' greyish white. Pretty solid. The draw has a little resistance. Not too bad. Could be a little more open. Might have to bring in the Palio to make things right. The after finish is long as well. Very velvety on the palate. Nice combination of leather, earth, dried fruit and ginger. So far, so good. This is smoking really well for a freshie. There is no ammonia coming off of this cigar at all. Its been noticeable that the quality of tobacco that is been used for recent production has been amazing. I can't recall the last time that I smelled ammonia when I cracked open a new box of cigars. Nice way to spend an afternoon..... Second Third Cigar is a nice medium bodied profile right now. Just the right amount of strength to keep your attention. Very earthy, leathery flavours combined with sweet chocolate and raisins. It reminds me of raisin glosettes. That nice, silky chocolate poured over perfectly sweetened raisins. Very nice... Burn still continues to go well. Going a little slow though. Maybe should have kept this in the humi a litle longer but couldn't resist. Draw is still firm. Might give it a quick cut for the final third to see what happens.
maverickdrinker Posted October 2, 2012 Author Posted October 2, 2012 Final Third Had to put this down for a bit to play with my son. The cigar is still very juicy with flavour. Draw is still firm. Takes a bit to get a full puff of smoke. A quick snap from my Palio solves that. Should have done that earlier. There is an addition of molasses that joins the raisiny, chocolate, earth and leather profile. Adds a whole new dimension to the cigar. The strength is still at a medium stance. I don't expect this to change. The flavours are so rich and pronounced. Really like that there is no harshness to this. I will be hard pressed to keep my hands out of this cab as these have the characteristics to be addictive. Might have to search for a couple more cabs to age as I smoke through this one. The after finish is equally delightful and long. Such gorgeous flavours of earth and leather combined with chocolate and raisins. So nice to just sit back and enjoy the moment. Final Impressions This is a great cigar. Smoking really well Right out of the box and has the stuffing to age gracefully. Such beautiful pronounced, complex flavours, I can't wait to see how this ages. Deliciousness in a robusto format. The only problem is that I can see myself reaching for these quite a bit. Time to scour the earth for another cab or two for the long haul....
LLC Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 Great review Art. I recently opened a 50 cab box code OGA NOV 11 and have had a couple. The wrappers have looked a little rougher than normal but the flavors have delivered in spades. I really enjoy RASS's and look forward to working my way through the cab.
nonameno Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 Hello Maverickdrinker, Super review and lovely photographs! I too really love the RASS and I have been looking for a long time for a 50 cab. The search will continue. Thank you for sharing, Curtiss
mk05 Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 I personally love the square box press of my overly humidified RASS, enjoy how they all stick to each other at the bands too, LOL. My recent dress boxes came in (POL and OGA), I swear they are like Lego blocks. However, the 50 cab ones are stellar. Smoked one from '05 that was just so...Ramon Allones.
dicko Posted October 6, 2012 Posted October 6, 2012 Great review! I've been smoking a couple of sticks from an 11' dress box and they are pretty ordinary. Maybe just need more time or they are a dud box, or maybe I should have been clever and got a cabinet like you!!
CanuckSARTech Posted October 8, 2012 Posted October 8, 2012 Man, you just about can't beat a cabinet RASS for the epitome of a great robusto! Love them, for when I want something flavourful yet smooth. Awesome review. Thanks for sharing, Art.
MikeG Posted October 9, 2012 Posted October 9, 2012 Great review! I have a 25 box of RASS that should be here any day now. Its going to be hard to not smoke one or two when it gets here.
Vortigan Posted October 9, 2012 Posted October 9, 2012 Great review! I have a 25 box of RASS that should be here any day now. Its going to be hard to not smoke one or two when it gets here. Exactly the same here!
dangolf18 Posted October 9, 2012 Posted October 9, 2012 Just got a cab SEP11. It's great getting a cab because you can better track the cigar's evolution. Will probably sample one ever 2-3 weeks. Enjoyed the review Maverick.
habanolover Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Very nice review SIR!! Just got a RASS box in today...sadly, no self control after read this review. Will have to have one this evening with a nice glass of cab
CanuckSARTech Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 I think "POL" was the code of the cabinet ones that Frank, Claus, and I engorged on when we were at the LCDH Montreal for the Montreal herf. I'm 90% sure it was POL, but I think a mid-/late-2010 date. Sounds like one heck of a good run, then. Another one that I'll have to add to my "potentials list" for down in Cuba!
ramon_cojones Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 POL was the box code for pretty much most rass from mid 2010-mid 2011.
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