Ramon Allones Specially Selected MUR JUL 13: REVIEW

[hulklogan]

This is my third cigar from a PSP 25 box I picked up maybe 3 months ago. I was not impressed by the other two, and since I bought this box blind, I was really hoping that the month break since the last one would turn things around.

Construction was good, and it had a mild, tobacco smell. The sheen that they arrived with appeared to have been muted somewhat. The cigar had a heavy box press, making it look a little rectangular.

Cold draw was nothing special, maybe a little spice, but mostly uninteresting.

Everything to this point was status quo; maybe things had improved after all!

*SPOILER*

They did not.

Immediately after my first puff, I was drawn into a strange reverie of my childhood, transported as effectively as Marty McFly in the Delorean. But, alas, I was but a passive observer in this time. It was a simple scenario, really. I uttered an obscenity of sort and my mother decided that I was fit for punishment. Out came the bar of soap. Keep in mind that this was before scent- and perfume-free soaps became popular, so I basically had a mouth full of either lavender or pot pourri, and God only knows what the latter is comprised of. Maybe butterfly wings. As you may have guessed from my incessant ramblings or perhaps my nonsensical posts in the Shoutbox of late, the RASS tasted like soap.

Maybe it will pass, I told myself, but the words were nearly unintelligible amidst the bubbles that came out of my mouth.

Another few puffs and I thought I tasted a hint of peanuts, but these too were coated in a thick layer of hand soap. Or maybe it was hand cream. Who's to know?

To make things worse (or perhaps better as it expedited the experience) the cigar began to canoe terribly after but a few tokes, which required significant adjustment.

Thus far, the only saving grace was the half pint of Amrut Fusion that was suckling on after every puff. It is delicious, and here, in Canada, it is probably one of the best bang for your buck whiskies available. I digress, but mostly out of necessity as just thinking about the cigar brings back flashes of shampoo bottles like a hideous nightmare.

The second half (yup, I am a stubborn bastard) improved, but only marginally, kind of like downgrading from first to second degree murder. Peanuts coming to the fore now, but it was as if the Planter Peanut Man had been sleeping during quality control and the peanuts had fallen in to a vat of liquid soap, and not the good kind that smells like strawberries, either. I did notice something unusual, at just the end of the second third, however; I found that if I chased a drag with the Amrut, I had a definite taste of licorice that was quite pleasant.

I don't remember the final third. Why? Well, I chased every drag from then on out with my generous half-pint of Amrut...

Overall, this was a big disappointment. I would give this cigar a grade, but I am unsure where "smoking a Bounty dryer sheet" fits on the cigar smoking spectrum. Probably somewhere around "Cuaba".

Twenty-two RASS left... I will save the next one for when I feel the need to punish myself once more...

Please, mom, no more soap!

[mikek]

I hope not I have A box sitting I have'nt touched! I have been smokeing alot of RASSCC they have been great infact my last box was Sept'2011 I hope those were just A fluk.I guess I need to try one tomorrow!

[Habana Mike]

Shame this though it sounds there was no soap in the first two.

I've had some 'soapy' cigars in the past, most recently an RA Lusitanos...total soap, I've posted about it here and elsewhere - even a link to a video review from a couple blokes in the UK that experienced the same.

However, after that one the rest have been very good so maybe you got a fluke - let's hope so!

[...]

I've stumbled upon a few soapy sticks in the past, CCs as well as NC. Any idea about some possible causes for this?

[Rye]

Hahaha! Bummer! I have yet to get soapy tastes from a RASS.

[hulklogan]

I've stumbled upon a few soapy sticks in the past, CCs as well as NC. Any idea about some possible causes for this?

HabanMike referred me to an excellent post he made about the cause...

[earthson]

They're barely a year old - give em another 6 - 12 months and I bet they turn around on you.

[Habana Mike]

I've stumbled upon a few soapy sticks in the past, CCs as well as NC. Any idea about some possible causes for this?

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=117245&hl=soap#entry452824

[...]

Thank you very much for the link Mike, quite interesting and informative. It seems that the more I learn about cigars and tobacco, the greater the pleasure I get from the whole smoking experience

[Optic101]

This is my third cigar from a PSP 25 box I picked up maybe 3 months ago. I was not impressed by the other two, and since I bought this box blind, I was really hoping that the month break since the last one would turn things around.

Everything to this point was status quo; maybe things had improved after all!

*SPOILER*

Please, mom, no more soap!

Thanks for the review Hulk. Too sad they have the soap taste.

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=117245&hl=soap#entry452824

Mike, thanks for the link.

[subport]

Thanks for the review mate.

Im afraid of smoking today now, hahaha. I have planed ahead RASS dryboxing it at the moment. Well, we'll see after lunch. MUR OCT 13 is the box. I'll get back to ya after with some notes. Please no soap.

[Heawns]

Ever since someone mentioned that RASS tastes like Heather (calluna), I couldn't get over it. So now I only smoke the little brother.

[joeypots]

My experience with RASS was that they need age. I wouldn't buy them unless I had 4 years to lay them down. It sounds crazy, but that's me. A cab of '06 got so good that I stopped sharing them except when I was down to two left. I couldn't believe that I gave away that last cigar. Not even any thing like a fresh one. COROC s are like this as well, infanticide if smoked to early. I'd get get some EPI#2s to smoke now and leave off the RASS.

[bigbwalls]

Personally, I've seen just as much inconsistency with the RASS as I have with PSD No. 4. Some are amazing, some are mediocre, and some are downright disgusting. The last few RASS I've smoked (purchased as singles, no box code) have been atrocious - acrid, bitter, and tightly rolled.

Thanks for the review, we've had a very similar experience with the RASS as of late.

[subport]

Ok, Im done. Well thank God was no soap at all. Instead I got cedar, pepper, sweetness, slightly nutty and fruity undertones. The last third was almost harsh. I think I won't revisit in 6 months or so.

[ShortFatHokie]

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=117245&hl=soap#entry452824

This quote may help explain why the first Bolivar PC I had from my current box tasted like smoking rose petals..

"Considering further, Beta Damascenone is a rose ketone present in tobacco"

[Heawns]

This quote may help explain why the first Bolivar PC I had from my current box tasted like smoking rose petals..

"Considering further, Beta Damascenone is a rose ketone present in tobacco"

I got that as well in a couple of the ENE13 BPCs. I'm smoking one right now. It taste very similar to an e-cigarette flavor of rose, with some added coffee and some type of fruit or something sweet.

Interesting stuff.

[tuff]

Your RASS are more then likely in what is known as a "sick period". I can't explain the sick period, or when it happens, or why I just know it exists. And, over a period of years it can happen several times. I would wager if you keep your RASS under very uniform conditions and wait another six months to a year your RASS will turn around and be one of the best Cuban cigars you have ever had. If you can hang on to a few for 5 years they will be phenomenal.

Good luck

Tuff

[ShortFatHokie]

I got that as well in a couple of the ENE13 BPCs. I'm smoking one right now. It taste very similar to an e-cigarette flavor of rose, with some added coffee and some type of fruit or something sweet.

Interesting stuff.

The floralness of the first BPC out of that box was very overpowering. Couldn't taste much of anything else in it. I smoked the second stick out of the box yesterday morning expecting the same. Fortunately, it was very much like a BPC should be...no sign of the rose petals. Hopefully the rest are as good as the second.