RASS

[Markspring1978]

3 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I would say maybe the ONE exception is the JLS2. It's not exactly my cup of tea but I would have to say the JLS2 is the best Cuban Robustos in current production, and the only one that I'd call a cut above. 

Yep, I said “most robustos”. The JL2 is absolutely the exception. In my view, JL2 and JL1 are among the most consistent sticks out there. I can’t remember having a bad one of either. The other exception for me is the RyJ SC. A little hit and miss, but I’ve had some OUTSTANDING SC. I’ve had some exceptional CoRo, but also had some miserable disappointments. And for the price, that shouldn’t happen. 

[NSXCIGAR]

3 hours ago, Lefty1989 said:

I disagree. I had one last night that was outstanding.

Had a Famosos lately? 

[NSXCIGAR]

1 hour ago, DaBoot said:

What 97 rated stick are you expecting for the price point of Ramon Allones? I enjoy them, not expecting perfection though

Based on their fans and popularity you'd think they were consistently scoring there. When pressed, most admit they never blow your hair back but are, as @zappaFREAK so aptly puts it, rotation fillers. 

And there are plenty of cigars in the $0.68/gram range scoring in the mid-90s if one looks. 

3 hours ago, rcarlson said:

Like all of 'em, RA either do it for you or they don't.  I really like the club allones with some time down.  Willing to bet that most here consider them double-banded dog rockets.  They have a strange fruit tanginess unlike any others that works for me.  

I though the RACA was very good. I've been a RASCC fan since 02 and enjoy the RAS quite a bit also. Last RAG was a little too light and airy for me, but my only gripe is with the RASS.

3 hours ago, Wookie said:

Id be interested in what @NSXCIGAR considers favorite sticks just to understand how your palate may differ from mine. 

I tend to pursue what's smoking well, although I do have some brands that don't float my boat in general like HdM, Fonseca or Vegueros. Anyone smoking RASS should be trying 18-19 VR Famosos, SC La Fuerza, PLPC, JSL1/2, Monte PE/DE and anything Trinidad. When I find something I like, I tend to lock in and stock up. Rarely does a cigar maintain a good seam for more than 3 years straight, so I get while the getting is good keeping feelers out for where quality is migrating. 

1 hour ago, Diabolicalpherpher said:

I love the stewed fruit profile of Ramon Allones

I've never gotten a drop of that from a RASS. Just about every other RA, yes, but not RASS. As I've said, I have no problem with RA--just the RASS. 

2 hours ago, jazzboypro said:

To be honest, i never had a good RASS (in the 2 boxes i had)

Multiply that by 10 for me over 19 years. Probably tried 200-250 of these over that period and the best I ever had--by far--was a 6er from Rob a few months ago. MSU AGO 19 I believe. They were actually not bad. 90 points, maybe a 91 in there. And those were the best RASS I've ever had in 19 years. Still didn't get any stewed fruit...had RAS way better. 

[Habana Mike]

Guess I’ve a strange palate. Been through dozens of RASS cabs over the years and rarely disappoint. 

I wouldn’t keep going back to the well otherwise...Typically 4-5 years on them.

Maybe not all 100 pointers but I’ve smoked some great ones. 

[...]

Taste is a very personal thing. One guy’s fine cigar might be another guy’s mud dud.

I have enjoyed most RASS I have smoked in the past five years from 2014, 2016 and 2018 boxes. Some have even been truly great...

I would suggest not to sweat it, trade the cigars you don’t enjoy and find something you enjoy more instead.

[RichUK]

My first ever RASS was terribly plugged, I abandoned it in the first third. It put me off them for a couple of years. When I finally tried another it was a good smoke, they are now part of my regular rotation. They aren’t an amazing ‘blow your socks off cigar’ rather a decent enjoyable smoke.

[joeypots]

I find the PSD#4 to be the best young robusto. RASS come into their own after five years and are not to my taste at all when new. 

[MPS]

Such unholy disrespect for Ramon Allones Specially Selected. Shame.

[Hammer Smokin']

just an example of different pallets at play.

If I had to smoke JL's as my sole cigar, I'd quit smoking.

But folks like them (some love them). The JL2 is my least favourite robusto out there.

But for others, it's the best.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[BlueRidgeFly]

I've had a grand total of... three RASS in my life, all from a MSU JUL 18 box. They haven't wowed me, but each one is a little better, hoping that is going to continue as I slowly work these into the rotation with all the other good stuff piled up here now.

[Erm310mce]

I’m a fan of RASS. They have always been a very solid cigar for me, like all some are better than others but I’ve enjoyed them over the years. 

the best runs (in general) I can remember for my taste:

Magical TEB codes from ‘07-‘08. There was a sweetness to them that I still dream about.  

MUR ‘13 cabs were great for me and the latest ‘19s have been really fabulous 

I’ve had great ones, fabulous ones, ok ones and lousy ones.... 

[ElJavi76]

I'm a fan and I will throw one asterisk in there... I had a box from 15. Young they were ok. I had the box in my wineador and would grab one ever few months. Well, end of last year I was down to my last 5. With about 4 years age on them... Those were the best damn 5 RASS I've ever smoked. 

It's the old set it and forget guys. If something isn't smoking great early. Let it go and come back to it in a few years. You might be pleasantly surprised. On the other hand the RAS do absolutely nothing for me. Superiores I've had have all been underwhelming. I wanna like that cigar because I like the vitola but dud. So I get it if a particular cigar don't float your boat. 

You leave the RASS to me. I'll leave the RAS to you.

Cheers

[Lunettesman]

3 hours ago, ElJavi76 said:

I'm a fan and I will throw one asterisk in there... I had a box from 15. Young they were ok. I had the box in my wineador and would grab one ever few months. Well, end of last year I was down to my last 5. With about 4 years age on them... Those were the best damn 5 RASS I've ever smoked. 

It's the old set it and forget guys. If something isn't smoking great early. Let it go and come back to it in a few years. You might be pleasantly surprised. On the other hand the RAS do absolutely nothing for me. Superiores I've had have all been underwhelming. I wanna like that cigar because I like the vitola but dud. So I get it if a particular cigar don't float your boat. 

You leave the RASS to me. I'll leave the RAS to you.

Cheers

Same here. I love the Rass from a 50 cab, well round. And the one from the dress box, a bit box pressed. 

 

RAS on the other hand I also would like to love it but I just cannot. Young or age these s something that don't fit my palate

[medzikone]

I smoked RAS MUR MAR 13. Amazing cigar. The best cigar this year so far with 96 pts.

RASS on the other hand is mediocre for me. I have box from DIC 16. Smoked maybe 5 of them.

But RASCC are one of the best minutos for me (with El Principe, Shorts and BCJ )

[Diabolicalpherpher]

On 4/29/2020 at 8:57 PM, NSXCIGAR said:

I've never gotten a drop of that from a RASS. Just about every other RA, yes, but not RASS. As I've said, I have no problem with RA--just the RASS. 

The most memorable RASS was from the blind tasting pack a few years back. I got the stewed fruit flavor but based on the size (closest to Hermoso #4), I thought that it was the SLR Regio. Should have trusted my palate.  A few other RASS here and there from box passes and they all had hints of the stewed fruit but they were all pre 2016.  However I never got around to buying any until recently.  I bought a 1/4 of 50 cab PSP grade RASS that was advertised as a 2019 box.  Great looking wrappers with sheen and aroma to boot, but lacked the flavor in question when I fired up a few.  I hope it develops the flavor profile as it ages.

Currently smoking a Gigantes from 2018 with a lilting of stewed fruit finally.

 

 

[SCgarman]

One of my favorites. Have had epic boxes. TEB08, LRE09, currently smoking AUM and RAE15 boxes. Love 'em. One man's gold is another man's coal. 

[SigmundChurchill]

I have never liked them.  Every few years something in me makes me buy a box.  Maybe it is reading a good review or people talking about how good the RASS from this year are smoking, or whatever.  And like clockwork, the very first one I smoke out of the box reminds me of why I haven’t bought them for so long.  I just dont like them.  It’s just not my cigar.  Hey, more for the guys that like them.

[HarveyBoulevard]

Having two RASS tonight. First, the lighter one on the left from a ‘13 50 cab.  Second, the darker one on the right from a ‘17 50 cab.  We will see what difference is discernible, if any...

 

[Puros Y Vino]

I'm on the fence when it comes to RASS. I've certainly smoked my share but find them to be inconsistent and when fresh, unsmokeable.  Everyone kept telling me they need 5 years sleep at minimum.  I do notice some improvements with boxes that have now hit that milestone.  Very few have that trademark RA profile. Of what's left in regular production RA I find that RASCC are the best ROTT with RAG maybe needing a year to shine and RASS in dead last.  I will note one oddity. My 2011 RASS from a cabinet smokes 3x better than my 2012's from a 2012 dress box.  I will readily admit this is an apples and oranges comparison as the tobacco definitely comes from different crops and most likely rolled in different factories.  But I find this to be the case with some other cigars I smoke from Cabs vs dress boxes.  To me, RASS doesn't justify its legendary status.

[Hammer Smokin']

last night i smoked the best RASS ever.

PLM May 11

I tasted the stewed fruits for the first time.

it was a wow cigar

[Smokecigareveryday]

CC robustos can be hit or miss in my experience.  I find that 50 and up ring gauges can be muddy and dull compare to sub 50 ring gauges.

[bdw1984]

These just need a lot of time (7++ imo).  With age, they are some of the best cigars made.

[Akela3rd]

I've been following this thread with great interest as I had a box on order from here. Seems like a lifetime ago I made the purchase,  but yesterday they arrived (looking beautiful, I must say). So my question to the panel is What should I do with my EPM NOV 18 RASS? I was going to put them away as I was expecting a much younger box but now I'm minded to give them the ninety day rehab and fire one up. If I do that they'll never make storage as I only like to keep full boxes in The Hole. 

Answers on a postcard... 

[Hammer Smokin']

afterafter smoking the '11 RASS and the '06 Epi #2 recently (from the same kind source) I can see why people would rather buy standard stock and age, instead of overspending on RE's and LE's.

The two aged robustos were substantially better than 95% of what I've smoked in the last two years.

obviously smoking 9 and 14 year old cigars is not always an option, but I can certainly understand why some people buy standard stock and age it (really age it) over spending $$$$$$ on overpriced LE's/RE's.

[Edward7]

Lot of RASS hate going on here. I am tired of the robusto size to hell and back but I wouldn’t go so far as to call the RASS muddy or flat or boring. Good cigar for a good price. I’d smoke it over half the non Cubans out there.