Popular Post fabes Posted March 16, 2015 Popular Post Posted March 16, 2015 Having been generously gifted a couple Ramon Allones Specially Selected with some age on them, I thought I'd do a vertical tasting of sorts. These will be smoked over a short period and not back to back, but rather they are the next four cigars I will smoke. I'm starting newest to oldest. I also had a couple recent RASS to add to the mix so here we have the following from left to right: 2014 - 2013 - 2006 - 1994 7
fabes Posted March 16, 2015 Author Posted March 16, 2015 Ramon Allones Vertical #1 RASS ULA MAY 2014 (0.88 yrs at time of review) 1:30 total time Quite still outside - 65ºF - 67% humidity paired with water nice earthy barnyard fragrance wrapper a little rough and medium brown constructed well draw is slightly tight for my tastes 1st third Smooth. Medium-full body. starting off nutty & earthy. Very pleasing aroma coming off the foot. Creamy nutty and earthy sums up this third. 2nd third More emphasis on the nutty aspect. Dry smoke. There is a subtle sweet aroma like honey. Now some spices coming through. Touches of saltiness appear briefly. final third Mostly spices and occasional fragrant aromas. Final inch goes a bit cedar-y. It was clear that the final third was more muddled in flavor than the previous two thirds. conclusion This was a very well constructed cigar. Pleasant and enjoyable all the way through, but never quite reaching excellent. Would go great with a cappuccino or drip coffee, but stuck to water for reviewing purposes. Looking forward to seeing what happens on the next one! 1
fabes Posted March 16, 2015 Author Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) Ramon Allones Vertical #2 RASS MUR JUL 2013 (1.71 yrs at time of review) 1:32 total time Slight breeze outside - 65ºF - 70% humidity paired with water nice earthy barnyard fragrance slightly confectionary wrapper smooth and light brown constructed well draw is nearly identical to the previous 2014 RASS 1st third Toasty nutty creamy tobacco flavors coming strong. Floral aroma off the foot. Now big floral blasts and hints of spice like cinnamon or clove. Started out med-full, but has now tapered back to medium as I enter the next third 2nd third Cedar poking through now, but still creamy mouthfeel. Love the aroma off the foot just fantastic. Mostly creamy cedar and earthy in this middle third. final third Coming round full circle to floral nutty creamy smoke. Slightest bit of fruit discovered in the final inch reminiscent of black currants. Last third is like a almond butter currant jam sandwich on toasted multigrain. Heavy on the nuts and toast, light on the currant. conclusion Flavors seemed to be more intense with this example. Creamy mouthfeel was present throughout with an accompaniment of complementary flavors that wove in and out. Solid smoke that had some interesting moments. Edited March 17, 2015 by fabes 3
fabes Posted March 16, 2015 Author Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) Ramon Allones Vertical #3 RASS POS MAY 2006 (8.88 yrs at time of review) 1:25 total time Slight breeze outside - 58ºF - 70% humidity and dropping paired with water nice earthy fragrance slightly cocoa wrapper a little rough and lovely brown draw is nearly identical to the previous two RASS something always a bit exciting when punching the cap and it reveals a dimple 1st third Sweet buttery cream to start things off. Now the floral aspect is kicking in with gusto. Loads of smoke coming off the foot. Medium bodied. Retrohale is smooth as silk. Aroma off the foot is like berries and cream (just like the starburst commercial). 2nd third Coming into the middle nutty flavors are appearing. Not as earthy as the younger RASS, but more creamy nutty like cashew or pine nuts. Noticing that the wrapper is a bit fire-resistant. Getting some tunneling starting that I have to correct about every inch or so. I’m smoking at my normal pace and this cigar has had a year to acclimate to my humidor. When the burn is back on I’m getting blasts of cream, nuts and viscous smoke. final third Getting a little of the cedar-y, woody, spicy mixed with some coffee. Wrapper still putting up a fight and it’s getting a little short to bother touching up. conclusion Very enjoyable. Just a subtle amount of sweetness that I’m fond of. Think milk sugar like latte or cappuccino rather than refined sugar crystal. The wrapper drama was lame, but didn’t ruin the experience. Flavor-wise I’d be happy if I had a box of these! Edited March 17, 2015 by fabes
fabes Posted March 16, 2015 Author Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) Ramon Allones Vertical #4 RASS Unknown Box Code 1994 (20.81 yrs at time of review) 1:25 total time Slight breeze outside - 58ºF - 67% humidity paired with water earthy spicy fragrance slightly cocoa wrapper a little rough, veiny and dark brown draw is nearly identical to the previous three RASS once again the dimple shows its face 1st third Very subtle in all aspects. Nutty and spicy, but merely hints to what the flavors are. Very hard to distinguish for me. Creamy nutty and cedar, but all blended together. Maybe nougat, but it’s difficult to discern. 2nd third Buttery in the middle. Nutty toast with fig spread. a dark earthy fruity aroma. this was the most interesting third. final third Now we have nutella making an appearance. Basically chocolate and hazelnut in spades. Nutella spread on toast. conclusion I got the feeling this cigar could have had many years left before it would start to fade. It smoked like it was glad it finally got its time to shine. I really don't have much experience with cigars with >10 years. Only a handful here and there. It was definitely a good smoke and can imagine it would have been a mongrel in its younger days. Edited March 21, 2015 by fabes 1
ChanceSchmerr Posted March 16, 2015 Posted March 16, 2015 Nice idea, looking forward to this. Maybe it's just me, but I'm a sucker for the old-school bands on RA (and SLR, among others). I just like the character of the rounded-off lettering, from ageless stamps worn smooth from use in making the bands.
topdiesel Posted March 16, 2015 Posted March 16, 2015 Awesome concept and great idea to reserve the next three spots
Rushman Posted March 16, 2015 Posted March 16, 2015 Maybe it's just me, but I'm a sucker for the old-school bands on RA (and SLR, among others). I just like the character of the rounded-off lettering, from ageless stamps worn smooth from use in making the bands. This, just a good look, I miss that
Maplepie Posted March 16, 2015 Posted March 16, 2015 reserved reserved reserved Lmao... Remind me to do that for the next LFTW. "But Prez! I claimed the box even before you posted it!" 1
dicko Posted March 16, 2015 Posted March 16, 2015 Great thread idea mate Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Optic101 Posted March 16, 2015 Posted March 16, 2015 Great idea, start and concept. Looking forward to the next 3. Smoking time: 1:30 hrs - Good to see that I am not the only one.
dchapman Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 Rass is my favorite cigar. Thanks for putting up such an interesting post.
fabes Posted March 17, 2015 Author Posted March 17, 2015 Thanks for the kind words everyone. The second review is now up.
ToothlessCog Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 Great idea. Can't wait to see the last two reviews. 1
saintsmokealot Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 Really cool idea... I am looking forward to the next installments.
topdiesel Posted March 17, 2015 Posted March 17, 2015 You have a way with words and descriptions. I really enjoy your review style.
fabes Posted March 17, 2015 Author Posted March 17, 2015 Thanks mate! Third review is up now. Been fun and educational so far.
fabes Posted March 21, 2015 Author Posted March 21, 2015 Just put up the last review. Thanks for checking in on this. It was a fun experience to see the differences in the cigars and also the similarities. Thanks to the fine gentlemen who provided the two older RASS (and the 2014 as well), they were very much appreciated!
Optic101 Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Well done, great work. Enjoyed reading, especially how the old one is performing.
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