Ramon Allones Gigantes 2013 (RRRRW)*

[WineAcrobat]

I'm so excited! This is the first competition I've participated in on FOH, AND the first Gigantes I've ever smoked! (and honestly only the 2nd cigar I've smoked from any of the possible Brands for this competition!) 

To start out this is a beautiful double corona, uniform color, no prominent stems, no noticeable stiff or squishy spots. What I would consider an above average constructed cigar. (I also tend to like the lighter wrappers so another + from me) 

I started out with a punch cut on this and the cold draw was a little tight, but showed sweet notes of apricot, nectarine skin, honey, and Demerara sugar. I ended up going over the punch with a V-cutter to see if that helped with the draw before lighting and it did a bit.

Upon lighting I found that the draw was even tighter then the cold draw lead on and there was very little smoke production, the only note out of the gate was the apricot note from the cold draw and maybe a bit of light leather, or a chewy tannin quality that was very subtle. Again I will note that there was almost no smoke production and I would probably consider this plugged, but I decided to keep trying with it. 

The beginning was the worst as far as smoke production, as the cigar went on it became better and better. I also ended up turning the V into a weird 8 pointed star cut (4 times over with the V as I hadn't brought my normal cutter outside) and that was when the first ash fell, at about 1.5 inches. The first third was very complex and changing with rotating flavors of almond, apricot fruit leather, a snappy dry cedar quality, redwood bark, wild bitter herbs, brown sugar, under-ripe nectarine, cherry pit(mineral + fresh cherries?), and bitter apricot or apricot kernel. I would have to say that this cigar so far reminds me of a lighter style Amari and I love it.

The second third had much much better smoke production. You wouldn't have guessed that it started plugged. Wood dominates, sweet smoke mingles with bitter wood, softly toasted spices, the cigar still has some of those stone fruit notes but it is much more herb and wood dominant.

 The final third starts like the second: herbs, sweet wood, bitter wood, wood spices like cinnimon and clove, sweet apricot comes in and out of the background. Then part of the way in, some florals(white flowers) make their way out, sweet cedar, clove, nutmeg and sour cherry show themselves. This sweetness seems to transform the bitter woody notes that have seemed to vanish into chestnut, pecan, walnut, incense, and Beef. The last few puffs continue with change, the sugar again fades to the background and burnt cinnamon, bitter tobacco, stale bread, and Maraschino (sour cherry liqueur), are the notes that I'm left with. 

I'm so happy I decided to do this review challenge. I don't think I've touched a single RA in my collection since 2015 and I'll happily be giving them another look after this. 

Final Notes: 

This review was done with a pairing of a Latte, glass of OJ, and bottle of water.

The smoke started out mild, but finished Med+. 

Ever changing and engaging cigar, though construction was lacking a bit, though you couldn't tell from the outside. Plugged, had to relight once, had to fix channels twice, though even with all that I would still recommend.  

I hope you enjoyed reading my take on this cigar. 

All the best, 

WineAcrobat 

[Chucko8]

Nice first up review. Thank you