Ramon Allones Specially Selected (Christmas Sampler)(FRCSW5)

[eg133]

 

Full disclosure, I was going into this cigar thinking I just wanted to get it over with. I've had a few RASS over the past few years but could never understand why people raved about them as the flavor always seemed bland, bitter, or just not good to me.

 

So I lit this RASS I received from the Christmas sampler, yes I'm late to the party, I wanted to let them rest a bit..... And immediately I'm confused.... Why is this so good?! I look at the band and then look at the cigar and make sure I'm smoking the right one..... I get it now! Some fruit influences with a bit of cream... The retrohale is lovely. Maybe it's a fluke, let me keep smoking.

 

I'm "pairing" this with an Ardbeg 10 and a Hazy IPA from San Diego CA. I usually just pick a cigar I want to smoke and pick what drink I want, in my mind if the cigar is brilliant it should go well with what I'm drinking at the moment.... Although I do at times intentially try and compliment one with the other and pick certain tastings for the occasion.

 

Ok, this is longer than I usually take. To be fair I smoked a Monte #1 prior and had a couple drams so I'm at a good place in the night.

 

My goodness... I'm well into the 2nd 3rd and this beautiful sweet, hibiscus comes to mind, almost floral/fruit comes forward.

 

Really surprised me and changed my view on RASS...even the band came off without a hitch... 95/100

 

Sent from my SM-N976U using Tapatalk

 

 

 

[NSXCIGAR]

I have no hesitation in saying 19-20 RASS are the best I've ever had in 20 years of trying them. I'm not a RASS fan but they're bordering on something I'd actually buy lately. Although I'll probably just stick to RASCC which I've always loved.

Long-time RASS fans must be in heaven. 

[rcarlson]

When they're on, they're on.  NSX is right.  The recent RASS have been killing it.  

[Juliano88]

My 20 and 21 boxes are super complex and just a delight. 

[eg133]

My 20 and 21 boxes are super complex and just a delight. 

I've been noticing that across the board with any 20/21 boxes I've gotten, they have been excellent..... I guess there's a silver lining with the Rona.

Sent from my SM-N976U using Tapatalk

[Juliano88]

Ya I think the 17 and 18 harvests were really solid. A lot of dark oily wrappers and I’ve seen more consistency from cigar to cigar within a box. The whole portfolio is smoking well as you mentioned.