Ramon Allones Club Allones EL 15 compared to the Gigantes

[fastkiller13]

I was at friends today and he was showing me his setup and he had three gigantes left out of a box he bought in Switzerland. The story goes he walked into the store smoking a club allones 2015 and the tobacconist told him that the gigantes were the same cigar except for the size difference. I'm assuming by same cigar the tobacconist meant the blend is the same. 

Since I've recently smoked a Club Allones EL and found that I really really liked the cigar I'm curious as to your guys thoughts on this statement about them being the same cigar. Let me know what you think. I have only smoked the one Ramon Allones so I have nothing to compare it to.

 

[JohnS]

They aren't the same cigar. The Gigantes tends to be milder. Sure, they both share the same Ramon Allones 'stewed fruit' profile, but the Club Allones is much more intense, even sweeter due to the dark Limited Edition wrappers they have. I like both very much, but I'd smoke them on different occasions, personally.

[jay8354]

Totally agree with John. They are very much different cigars for different occasions.

Each of them have their own nuance. RAG is much more mild smoke with hints of sweetness.

[NSXCIGAR]

Also agree with above. 

I would point out that I think the Superiores would be a much closer comparison to the RAG. If you're interested look for 2010-2014 RAS. 15 and 16 seem to have faltered a bit. Haven't seen any 17.

[fastkiller13]

Thanks for the info guys. Much appreciated!

@JohnS @jay8354 @NSXCIGAR   Would you guys mind expounding on the different occasion comments? As a newbie I'm curious, is it something like the El would be for some special occasion because they're limited and the gigantes are smoke them whenever.  Or would you pair them with different dinners or something like that? Hope my questions don't bother you, I'm just trying to soak up as much info as I can. 

[IanMcLean68]

I totally agree with all the comments made.  They are quite different cigars.  Size for one.  The gigantes, being a double corona, tends to be less full bodied.  Medium for the most part until the end. More complex, and more evolution.

The Club Allones has a dark EL wrapper, so along with the Allones "stewed fruit" profile, you also get plenty of those EL chocolate notes.  And as mentioned, these are stronger.  Medium-full from the get go pretty much.

[LLC]

I'll add to agreeing to the above and will say I really like the RA Club Allones and went deep but the GEO MAY 15 box of RAG's in smoking are awesome and I do prefer them at this point.


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[IanMcLean68]

9 minutes ago, LLC said:

I'll add to agreeing to the above and will say I really like the RA Club Allones and went deep but the GEO MAY 15 box of RAG's in smoking are awesome and I do prefer them at this point.


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I remember the more recent FOH reviews of the RAG, and 2015 was apparently a really great year for them.  I missed out unfortunately, so good on you for scoring a box!  Still on the lookout for a nice box myself.

[jay8354]

I have a limited viewpoint, so take that with a grain of salt.

Double coronas are a long smoke, which is usually 1.5 - 2 hrs.

I like to take time with it and have a decent drink to accompany. Of course, around some cigar friends to enjoy it with.

Due to this, I don't smoke RAG as often as I would like. This leads to them aging, which has shown that they are good at first but legends with some years to them.

 

[JohnS]

6 hours ago, fastkiller13 said:

Thanks for the info guys. Much appreciated!

@JohnS @jay8354 @NSXCIGAR   Would you guys mind expounding on the different occasion comments? As a newbie I'm curious, is it something like the El would be for some special occasion because they're limited and the gigantes are smoke them whenever.  Or would you pair them with different dinners or something like that? Hope my questions don't bother you, I'm just trying to soak up as much info as I can. 

My response is influenced by a number of factors, chief of which is that I am Australian. Limited Editions are priced to a premium already, but when you add taxes, then I am inclined to save Limited Editions for special occasions.

The Ramon Allones Club Allones is a strong cigar, and that is saying something as amongst marcas, Ramon Allones, Bolivar and Partagas are considered full-bodied, but the RACA is a powerhouse still. When I have it, I tend to just have an espresso coffee because I find that the cigar stands on it's own already. The Gigantes is a double corona I enjoy both in its youth and aged. I'm happy to pair it with a number of drinks and have before or after meals.

[fastkiller13]

Thanks Guys, you're experience is much appreciated. I picked up a box of the RASS from the 24:24 but looks like I should try and find some of the Club Allones EL hopefully theres still some lying around. 

[NSXCIGAR]

2 hours ago, fastkiller13 said:

Or would you pair them with different dinners or something like that?

As @JohnS points out, the RACA is definitely a full cigar with quite a bit of punch. As MRN would likely say, this one would probably be best after a heavy meal and not ideal with an afternoon aperitif. The RAG or Superiores would be a more suitable daytime smoke and the large RAG ideal for a long lazy Sunday afternoon. I also think the RASCC is one of the best daytime or after lunch cigars available. When good they're probably the strongest RA next to the RACA.

Unlike many here, I've just never been a fan of RASS so I've omitted them from my analysis. Not a cigar I like or can speak to quite frankly. 

[NSXCIGAR]

Just now, fastkiller13 said:

Thanks Guys, you're experience is much appreciated. I picked up a box of the RASS from the 24:24 but looks like I should try and find some of the Club Allones EL hopefully theres still some lying around. 

Many trusted vendors still have them and the price range should be around $150-175 a box. Should't be too hard to find. 

[Piligrim]

Many trusted vendors still have them and the price range should be around $150-175 a box. Should't be too hard to find. 

When I smoked RACA first time when they have been released, that was very strong and is still strong and have great aging potential. I think they will be ready in couple of more years and better to hold what you have. Just smoke one in half year to check how it goes. Those are still easy getting in Russia, so I'm holding only few boxes to bit more when they getting finished.

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[NSXCIGAR]

1 hour ago, Piligrim said:

When I smoked RACA first time when they have been released, that was very strong and is still strong and have great aging potential. I think they will be ready in couple of more years and better to hold what you have.

I agree--these are probably not at their peak and may have serious long-term potential as well. I've enjoyed every one I've had so I'm not going to say don't smoke them but I agree if you can let these rest for another 2-3 years or more they'll be even better. I'd snag 3 or 4 boxes no problem and smoke through 2 boxes over the next few years, age one for 2-3 years and age another for 5+ years. 

I actually haven't had one in about 6 months so I'm going to try one again this week and see if I notice a difference.

[Piligrim]

I agree--these are probably not at their peak and may have serious long-term potential as well. I've enjoyed every one I've had so I'm not going to say don't smoke them but I agree if you can let these rest for another 2-3 years or more they'll be even better. I'd snag 3 or 4 boxes no problem and smoke through 2 boxes over the next few years, age one for 2-3 years and age another for 5+ years. 
I actually haven't had one in about 6 months so I'm going to try one again this week and see if I notice a difference.

Agree. My last one was in may, so may be next month I'll try another one

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[BrightonCorgi]

Double Corona are always going to be milder than smaller cigar that is meant to be intense; especially an EL.  I like both RA's you mentioned.  Gigantes are a great DC, so my advice is to get a box either way.  

[NSXCIGAR]

Sampled another RACA yesterday and it seems to have mellowed a bit. Definitely not as strong as the last one I had about 6 months ago. The flavors also didn't seem to be any more pronounced than before. I think they will need quite a bit of time to come forth but I think they ultimately will. Overall, I think these are definitely more approachable right now but not close to their peak.

[BrightonCorgi]

17 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Sampled another RACA yesterday and it seems to have mellowed a bit. 

Been doing my best to not smoke them.  Think they're worth going heavy on before they're gone?

[NSXCIGAR]

6 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Been doing my best to not smoke them.  Think they're worth going heavy on before they're gone?

Eh, I really don't know. Honestly, after this one I can say some of the 13-14 Superiores I've had were better.  The flavors on these will really have to start coming on strong. The stone fruit was there but no more prominent than before with nothing new detected. These previous ones I had last year and early this year were a bit punchier with that same faint stone fruit. I think the strength might have added a dimension to these that led many to believe they had more potential than they do. 

After this last one I don't think I'd buy more. I suppose a box for $160-170 isn't the worst thing in the world to grab and hang on to while still around but I personally would be concerned going deep on them. These may take 7-10 years for the flavors to amplify if they ever do and if they keep mellowing you''ll have an RACA that's about the same as a Superiores which I'd rate about the same right now. This is one I'd grab a box, two at the most, and smoke 1 every one or two years to see what's happening. I just didn't get the feeling at all from the last one that these are destined to become classics. I'll try another next year and see if there's any changes but honestly, I'd rather spend my coin on some Superiores or Punch Punch.

[feral]

Worth a revisit. Much more approachable this time. LAU NOV 15

[Piligrim]

Totally agree! Had one last week and it got much better.

Worth a revisit. Much more approachable this time. LAU NOV 15

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[cfc1016]

On 11/8/2017 at 12:41 AM, NSXCIGAR said:

As @JohnS points out, the RACA is definitely a full cigar with quite a bit of punch. As MRN would likely say, this one would probably be best after a heavy meal and not ideal with an afternoon aperitif. The RAG or Superiores would be a more suitable daytime smoke and the large RAG ideal for a long lazy Sunday afternoon. I also think the RASCC is one of the best daytime or after lunch cigars available. When good they're probably the strongest RA next to the RACA.

Unlike many here, I've just never been a fan of RASS so I've omitted them from my analysis. Not a cigar I like or can speak to quite frankly. 

Now you have me intrigued to try a RACA. You know i love a powerhouse. The oct 15 box of RASCC I’ve been enjoying over the past few months is reminiscent, to me, of older, more powerful RASS. I wonder if you, like me, found the older RASS (pre-2000 strain) more enjoyable? I had a box of ‘15 production RASS last year that, although tasty, was w bit underwhelming. Like the BBF, they just don’t stand up to their pre-2000 ancestors in my opinion. 

[BrightonCorgi]

I smoked one over the weekend that border line firm to plugged draw.  Nice white ash and decent flavors.

[Fugu]

6 hours ago, cfc1016 said:

Now you have me intrigued to try a RACA. You know i love a powerhouse.

If you are looking for powerhouse cigars, go and get yourself some Party EL 2017. The strongest cigars I had in a while by far. A RACA is a mild stick in comparison....