RASCC compared to RASS

[Capt. Brett]

Just had my first RASS and loved the flavor profile. So does the RASCC have a similar taste? 

[PuffDaddie]

The Rass is my go to cigar.

[Smallclub]

25 minutes ago, PuffDaddie said:

The Rass is my go to cigar.

Very helpful for the OP…

[Capt. Brett]

I can see why. 

[Capt. Brett]

6 minutes ago, Smallclub said:

Very helpful for the OP…

I'm moving down to his neck of the woods after I sell my business so I'll cut him some slack. 

[RazorbackFan]

My box of RASCC is stronger (more nicotine) and less refined than my RASS. The RASCC I have aren't as complex and nuanced as the RASS. Both boxes are about a year, year and a half old, and neither came from our trusted host. They're both probably PE quality, definitely not PSP. 

I like them both. Not really worth laying the RASCC down for time to see if they mellow out. Minutos are cheap and cheerful. I'm just torching them. 

I plan to keep both of them stocked in my humble humidor from now on. 

If I could only choose one, it would be RASS hands down. 

[bman75]

22 minutes ago, RazorbackFan said:

My box of RASCC is stronger (more nicotine) and less refined than my RASS. The RASCC I have aren't as complex and nuanced as the RASS. Both boxes are about a year, year and a half old, and neither came from our trusted host. They're both probably PE quality, definitely not PSP. 

I like them both. Not really worth laying the RASCC down for time to see if they mellow out. Minutos are cheap and cheerful. I'm just torching them. 

I plan to keep both of them stocked in my humble humidor from now on. 

If I could only choose one, it would be RASS hands down. 

I agree.  In addition to being less refined than the RASS, I don't get as much of the "stewed fruit" flavors from the RASCC.  My RASCC definitely still have the "funky" part of the RA profile, which make them worth the (low) price of admission..  Both are cigars I plan to keep buying. 

[Capt. Brett]

26 minutes ago, RazorbackFan said:

My box of RASCC is stronger (more nicotine) and less refined than my RASS. The RASCC I have aren't as complex and nuanced as the RASS. Both boxes are about a year, year and a half old, and neither came from our trusted host. They're both probably PE quality, definitely not PSP. 

I like them both. Not really worth laying the RASCC down for time to see if they mellow out. Minutos are cheap and cheerful. I'm just torching them. 

I plan to keep both of them stocked in my humble humidor from now on. 

If I could only choose one, it would be RASS hands down. 

Thanks I plan on ordering the RASS for sure but also would like a shorter smoke with a similar profile when I'm pressed for time.

[Danimalia]

Limited experience here, but I prefer the RASCC. Both are very good. The RASCC is a bit more concentrated in terms of flavor. Fuller in body. I guess I would agree that it's less refined/smooth than the RASS, but it's a little flavor bomb. I'd have no second thoughts buying either or both if I had the money. RASCC is a 40-45 minute smoke for me, and RASS is 55-65.

[gweilgi]

8 minutes ago, Danimalia said:

Limited experience here, but I prefer the RASCC. Both are very good. The RASCC is a bit more concentrated in terms of flavor. Fuller in body. I guess I would agree that it's less refined/smooth than the RASS, but it's a little flavor bomb. I'd have no second thoughts buying either or both if I had the money. RASCC is a 40-45 minute smoke for me, and RASS is 55-65.

Agreed to all of the above.  I love them both, and have both in my regular rotation.  If I have the time, though, I would always go with the RASS because its larger RG means it gives bigger smoke and a better mouthfeel, and it does not smoke as hot as the RASCC.  

[NSXCIGAR]

I had a feeling this question had been asked before...

Some worthwhile info in those threads. 

As for me, I think the cigars are very different and always have been. In fact, I really don't care at all for the RASS but have always liked the RASCC. I've found pretty much every RASS I've ever had fairly bland, and I've smoked close to 100 of them over 17 years. I used to try them multiple times per year for many years trying to figure out what I was missing, but to no avail. I've since backed off and probably won't try one again for another few years, or until people start screaming from the rooftops about recent production. Probably the most prominent cigar I've never "got".

The RASCC, OTOH, has always appealed to me. I find it hearty, medium-full and flavorful, and there is a unique pleasant vegetal character that I don't find in any other cigar. Very herbaceous almost. The period of 06-10 was a golden era for the RASCC. There is a trusted vendor who back then was selling unbanded, unboxed cellophaned bundles of 25 for something like $160/50 sticks back then. I probably bought 1000 sticks from him blind, and maybe 10-20 sticks out of the 1000 were off. RASCC were remarkably consistent and reliable back then. 23 or 24 sticks out of every box were solid.

I think consistency dropped a bit in 11-12 but they were still very good overall. Then 13 production was really off, IMO. I bought several boxes of 13s (both ULA code) and for the first time in my life most of the cigars in the box were lousy. Really lousy. It appears RASCC production was suspended for 14 and most of 15, and I finally saw a SEP 15 box and I've also seen a JUN 16 box. But most boxes still kicking around are from 13, and I would not buy RASCC blind right now.

[RijkdeGooier]

RASCC much stronger and more concentrated. 

RASS generally more mellow and complex

Not the same cigar. 

[subport]

5 hours ago, RijkdeGooier said:

RASCC much stronger and more concentrated. 

RASS generally more mellow and complex

Not the same cigar. 

This

[Capt. Brett]

Thanks for all the replies I appreciate it.

Nsxcigar I saw those post but since I don't have access to aged stock I was looking for some more recent experiences. Thank you for breaking down the different years for me it really helps. 

 

[earthson]

Yes, very, very similar.

I find the RASCC and RAG to be nearly identical in blend.

RASS is quite possibly my favorite cigar and is in a league above those previously mentioned.

The Superiores is interesting in that the profile seems much more refined and slightly creamy.

Welcome to one of the top Cuban marcas!

[topdiesel]

8 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I think consistency dropped a bit in 11-12 but they were still very good overall. Then 13 production was really off, IMO. I bought several boxes of 13s (both ULA code) and for the first time in my life most of the cigars in the box were lousy. Really lousy. It appears RASCC production was suspended for 14 and most of 15, and I finally saw a SEP 15 box and I've also seen a JUN 16 box. But most boxes still kicking around are from 13, and I would not buy RASCC blind right now.

I have a box of ULA JUL 15 from Prez & company.  They are really good.  Instant flavor intensity and good construction.  You mentioned SEP so I thought you would be interested to know that there are also JUL

[irratebass]

Que@JohnS in 3.2.1.....

[Smallclub]

TMK, a BOTL smokes his RASS ASAP and his RASCC ROTB… IMHO…

[Danimalia]

1 hour ago, earthson said:

Yes, very, very similar.

I find the RASCC and RAG to be nearly identical in blend.

RASS is quite possibly my favorite cigar and is in a league above those previously mentioned.

The Superiores is interesting in that the profile seems much more refined and slightly creamy.

Welcome to one of the top Cuban marcas!

Really? I've been looking to get a box of double coronas, and I love the RASCC. If the Gigantes are a DC version of the Small Club Coronas, then I think that might settle which one I buy. 

Sorry for going slightly off track.

[Capt. Brett]

35 minutes ago, Danimalia said:

Really? I've been looking to get a box of double coronas, and I love the RASCC. If the Gigantes are a DC version of the Small Club Coronas, then I think that might settle which one I buy. 

Sorry for going slightly off track.

No apology needed I appreciate all the input.

[NSXCIGAR]

5 hours ago, Capt. Brett said:

Nsxcigar I saw those post but since I don't have access to aged stock I was looking for some more recent experiences. Thank you for breaking down the different years for me it really helps. 

HTH

I just want to point out that stock may vary in quality over time, but I thought it potentially helpful to revisit many years of opinions to give you a more complete picture of the actual differences between the two blends. Some things never change, like how I find the RASS less rich and interesting a blend than the RASCC and have for 18 years. How recent production is smoking is a different matter, which I also went into a bit. But the idea was to provide an idea of how both smoke on their best days, and many years of directly comparing the two can be instructive.

[JohnS]

16 hours ago, irratebass said:

Que@JohnS in 3.2.1.....

Haha...I missed my cue!  .

Seriously though, I don't feel that I have smoked enough Ramon Allones Specially Selected and Ramon Allones Small Club Coronas to warrant a meaningful addition to this discussion, in my opinion.

Ramon Allones Superiores, Club Allones and other special Ramon Allones releases are a different matter though.

[Kbb]

On March 25, 2017 at 1:48 AM, NSXCIGAR said:

 

There is a trusted vendor who back then was selling unbanded, unboxed cellophaned bundles of 25 for something like $160/50 sticks back then. I probably bought 1000 sticks from him blind, and maybe 10-20 sticks out of the 1000 were off. RASCC were remarkably consistent and reliable back then. 23 or 24 sticks out of every box were solid.

Curious as to why a vendor would unband/unbox sticks to sell.  Or did RASCC come in cello at some point? CCW does not mention it.

[Smallclub]

26 minutes ago, Kbb said:

Curious as to why a vendor would unband/unbox sticks to sell. 

To hide their cuban origin (I'm not joking).

[irratebass]

Haha...I missed my cue!  .

Seriously though, I don't feel that I have smoked enough Ramon Allones Specially Selected and Ramon Allones Small Club Coronas to warrant a meaningful addition to this discussion, in my opinion.

Ramon Allones Superiores, Club Allones and other special Ramon Allones releases are a different matter though.

You have failed me John