RASCC LEP FEB 17 (FFSJun24)

[Capn_Jackson]

Reviewing this one live and in the moment, probably not as wordy as my usual. Maybe that’s a good thing…

With thanks to a good friend, @garbandz, my cabinet has some new residents, including this stick and his brothers. Thanks once again, Tom! Although I’ve enjoyed some RASS and my fair share of Allones Superiores, I’ve only had one RASCC before, and it unraveled on me. Looking forward to enjoying this while smoking some ribs for the weekend!

Lovely medium-dark brown wrapper here. Smooth, no prominent veins. The cold draw is somewhat hay, maybe some damp earth. Sweet iced tea. Firm draw, perhaps I should’ve dryboxed but I was too eager. This is nearly ROTT. 

This stick opens up with remarkably rich, chewy smoke. Decadent notes of stout, a little salted caramel, and holiday fruitcake. A bit of coffee sneaks in on the finish of every puff, and the finish is drawn out. Remarkable things happening in that finish, in between puffs. Mixture of coffee, sweet cream, and sweet spices. Entertaining all the way to the next puff. Shaping up to be a remarkable little smoke.

Going towards the 2nd third, sweet black tea gets a boost.

Tea turns to coffee around the midpoint, bright notes of medium-roast breakfast blend, and a splash of milk. Some roasted pecan as well. Lots of baking spice still around, and fruit. I noticed stone fruit earlier, but now getting something more akin to raspberry cream. Less “stewed fruit,” and more berry yogurt. Also, starting to get some hot white pepper. Normally not my thing, but it works here. It also doesn’t last long, which is probably for the better.

Hard to say exactly what I’m tasting in the last inch or so. Nothing overly complex, just good toasted tobacco from the island. Rich, and more stout than the middle, but not as much as the beginning. I do get a little bit of anise here in the end too, but just enough. Nothing overpowering. 

Slightly over an hour for this little guy, and well-spent.  Now I gotta go tend to those ribs.