Ramon Allones Specially Selected MSU MAY 18 (QRCRW)*

[Shatner's Bassoon]

The cigar seems solid enough, slightly under packed if anything. There’s a decent, smooth, colorado wrapper with a slight sheen.

Draw is fairly tight but not unworkable; it’s been stored at 64/65 rh and comes from a box which has been consistent.

The first third has a sweet character on the palate, with the sweetness also on the retrohale, along with slight spice and black coffee. The draw is too firm to be ideal, and I would put the body at medium.

In the second third the sweetness is joined by coffee on the palate. The retrohale continues with the coffee character, although the coffee now seems slightly creamier. Notes of savoury cracker and citrus occasionally make themselves known on the palate.

There isn’t much evolution in the final third: the draw remains tight and the need to take heavy puffs leads to the cigar heating up prematurely, and a slight bitterness emerges.

I love RASS, but this isn’t  a stellar example. A really good mix of flavours are marred by the tight draw. Body fluctuates between medium and medium/full. A consistent burn line throughout. It smokes like it’s too moist, although, as stated, it’s been kept at 64/65 rh. I rate it at 87 overall. It would have been excellent but for problems with the draw.