Ramon Allones Phoenicia 35th RE Libano: Gifted Cigars, Weekend Review competition

[Guest Nekhyludov]

Dimensions: 55 x 5 1/10"

Box Code: SOM OCT 15

This cigar was gifted to me by a great FOHer during the FOH CAN/US Box Pass 2017. We met up at Stanza Dei Sigari in Boston's North End to hand off the box and hang out for a drink. He was generous enough to gift me this beautiful Ramon Allones Phoenicia 35th RE Libano. His only request was that I smoke it and enjoy it, which was well taken since I'm sometimes tempted to hoard and admire rare sticks. So, out of respect for his generous request, here goes!

Appearance: This is a great looking cigar, with a caramel-colored wrapper, a fine leathery texture, and no prominent veins. The construction feels firm and consistent. The pre-light aroma is staightforward and cedary. Drink pairing is a souchong lapsang tea, with a bit of sugar and lemon.

First Third: The Phoenicia lights readily and produces a firm, full draw and lots of cool smoke. The combustion is solid, with an even burn line producing a flaky white ash. Right away in the first few draws, there's a mild, sweet stewed fruit note. The aroma is pleasant - mild, with just a bit of baking spice. About a quarter of an inch in, a small split appears on the right side, but it doesn't spread and doesn't affect its performance. Near the end of the first third a doughy, pastry character emerges a bit. 

Second Third: The burn line is past the split, with no affect on performance. Some of the sweetness had receded and is replaced by an earthy mineral note. The spine of sweet and savory stewed fruit is still there. The depth and strength of flavor begins to pick up a bit. This is shaping up to be a much more balanced smoke than the ETP ENE 16 RASS I have. No youthful harshness, but the RA DNA is still there in the aroma. That hint of pastry dough was short-lived; the middle portion takes on a more lasting deep walnut flavor over the stewed fruit.

Final Third: At the start of the final third, the walnut and stewed fruit notes meld and become heavier, adding a malty (Cuban twang?) kind of depth. The burn line begins to waver, but there's no sign of tunneling; just requires a slight touch-up. The aroma picks up a heavy earth note, but it still smells great. Approaching the midpoint of the last third, a precise sugar note comes and goes. The heft of the body increases as the tar and heat build. But the flavors are still distinct and pleasant. Finishes with a sweet, nutty, twangy profile. Reminds me more of a well-aged RAG than anything else in the marca, although I have no experience with other Allones REs.

Summary: I really appreciate Prez's invitation to recall the good friends and camaraderie that this forum and this hobby enable. It was great to meet a fellow FOHer and share some stories and a few smokes. This was a damn good cigar, and one that I'm really grateful to have gotten to sample. I'm not likely to run across it again, so it's a real treat to be able to enjoy it, and to share a review.

[ayepatz]

Lovely chappy @cube recently gifted me one of these. Can’t wait to get back home and try it!

[Erm310mce]

@Nekhyludov well done my friend. Really fabulous review. I am very happy you enjoyed it. 

We will get together again for another session. 

Cheers, 

 

[TheMonk]

Great review, great pics!

[Sean3]

Sounds like a terrific smoke.  Well done on the review...Cheers.