“RASS 2022 (VRRW/R)”*

[Chucko8]

This cigar was passed to me by a friend a good 6 months ago. Only know that the date is from a 2022 box and that by his accounts had been decent performing.

Cigar feels solid and the wrapper has a light sheen to it. Straight cut the cap and test the draw. Feels a little tight cold draw doesn’t give off too much of note.

Straight up I get raw slight bitter almonds in the first puff. This really takes me by surprise. The almond settles and makes way for a pleasant sweetness that has the stewed fruit characteristics. Draw is fantastic and the concern of it being tight at cold draw is not even in the picture.

Second third detecting some woody licks along with some coffee grind flavour, which melds well with the sweetness offered by the plum / stewed fruit. This is a rich cigar that is burning quite nicely and that ash holds on until near the end of this third.

Final third it ramps up a touch and shows some elbows. Nuts come back into play with the fruit sweetness. Coffee bring darkens a touch. Then suddenly the nuts become almond like again, the stewed fruits become more like a caramel sweetness and I’m sure I get a splash of cream. 2 draws later it’s gone again and becomes a bit hot. I’m sure that give this 3 years and that would disappear making this cigar even better.

A very tasty cigar with very pleasant rich flavours. Give it a 91