Beneath the Band: Ramon Allones Specially Select.

[El Presidente]

This series seeks to explore whether a particular cigar is humidor worthy.

Cost these days is an issue for many so let's see if we can highlight some absolute standouts.  This should particularly assist those new to the cigar world.  

To be fair, most of the cigars we have featured to date have scored exceptionally well. Surprisingly well! 

Scoring is: 1-3 (Poor)   4-6 (Average to good)   7-10  (very good to excellent)  Use the Poll. 

You are more than free to comment away 

Today: Ramon Allones Specially Select 

I am a RASS fan but it does have a few detractors. Let's go a little deeper into the weeds. 

Outside of the poll, which do you prefer and why? Let us know in this thread 

[loose_axle]

I liked it. But I thought it was a muted RAG and I preferred to just buy those as compared to these. The few I had were around the 3-4 year mark so no experience with super young or aged variants. 

[Deeg]

One of the first boxes of Habanos I ever bought. What I remember most about them back in the day is that RASS more than any other standard issue Cuban seemed to absolutely require aging, and a fair bit too. You almost never hear about the “sick period” anymore (with good reason). But back then RASS seemed to be the poster child for it.

[Mike Mecklenburg]

Voted 7-10 to all except "Blend Consistency". I scored this a 4-6 because in my opinion, I think the flavors can sometime be all over the place. This doesn't stop me from regular purchases, they are box worthy.  

[Wookie]

My go-to robusto. Med-full bodied. Consistent stewed fruits flavors. Always good construction.

[joeypots]

I like them a lot. There are better young robustos but given time the RASS shines and the ones I've had have long legs. I have some that I'm into now that are the bomb. Definitely box worthy. 

[Duder]

Never cared for them when I was smoking them young. With significant age they are one of my favorites. Recently smoked an ‘00 Cab and ‘04 DB. Heavenly smokes. Just phenomenal. Twenty years plus is a long time to wait so they will never be in my regular rotation. My favorite CoRo is stellar with just five years age as are most other Cuban robustos. 

[gormag38]

Not a RASS fan. I've had some with 5+ years age on them, freshies, SLBs and DBs. None did it for me (although I should admit that the SLB stick I had was from a 23 box and was BY FAR the best of the bunch). Heard great things about the TEB 08 boxes from back in the day. Maybe after smoking some of those I'll 'get it'. 😁

Not humidor worthy for me; especially in today's market. 

[tbelle7]

Meh. I've a few that were delicious. I've had a lot that were not.

[Redgoldband]

Still trying to understand this one. Have had a few but none that would make it into my top 5. Have heard good things and see they get a lot of love here; I may just need to wait and revisit them with more age. 

[Chibearsv]

Small sample size for me. Not a fan of the 2/3 of a box I smoked in a 5 year period and enjoyed them after 5-6 years down. I never expected to like them but time worked magic. 

[my happy place]

I had very high hopes the first time I had one. I like it enough to think it's a good cigar, but wanting to like it more than I did. I've had a few more since and seem to have the exact same thought. Much prefer the RAS.

[Ford2112]

I much prefer the RASCC. That said, maybe it is time to revisit. I have had a few I liked well enough.

[David8406]

I really get this cigar. What I’m smoking now are relatively young (< 2 years old) and are consistent in flavor and construction. I certainly pick up on the youth, particularly in the final 3rd, but I love the flavor profile and eventually I’ll have some with age.

[Coloniales]

Have been smoking these last 30 years, a desert island smoke. Cabs are my favourite, no question. The blend of my 2024 cigars, is not quite what it should be, hence my rating for blend consistency. Beautiful looking box /cigars mind. I do have a '98 box lurking, waiting to be smoked 🤗 I do remember back in 1999, Christian Eiroa, then CEO Camacho cigars, we did a taste test in London, with 2 of his cigars, pitched against 2 x Cuban cigars, all robusto size. Mitch Orchant provided the Cubans. RyJ Ex4s and RASS. The RyJ Ex 4s were superb, on another planet. Even Eiroa agreed. The RASS came last, just average blend at best, we were all surprised. Eiroas cigars fared well, I am smoking a box of them now, 26 years later!

[BG318]

The only robusto-sized CC in my collection that I don't have a box of. Just a few singles. Inconsistent, and I rate all the other ones higher. I have never had one older than 8-9 years, so I might be missing out on something. Love the RASCC though.

[zacca]

I’m just surprised that so many people have had enough stewed fruit to note it. I’ve never had any myself, but trying to imagine it. 

[Marco_011t556]

The most value for money CC so far...LOL!

[zeedubbya]

I echo what others have said. Decent when young, but really shine with 5 years plus. My number 2 Robusto, behind only D4. More than CORO even IMO. One of those cigars which I don’t have enough of - can score well beyond its price tag on occasion. Can’t believe I never picked up a 50 Cab for long-term aging. I’ve had some from 50 cabs and they seem to rate a bit better than dress boxes. I think so many people like them because they have so much potential. Quintessential Cuban cigar and a must have—mind blowing more often than when it falls down sometimes. Generally a great flavor profile.  

I recall getting a very rough box once and griping to our host, who made it right, but damned if the salvageable ones didn’t smoke great in spite of being battered, bruised and ugly. The quest for a 50 cab remains and even though I may be priced out it may be worth the risk more than any other Robusto. Fingers crossed the day comes when (prices get back to some level of normal) one will make its way to my humidor.