RyJ Belicoso & RA 898 from \'01

[Mark Twain]

Romeo Y Julieta Belicoso ‘01

I haven’t heard much about this vitola. My initial impression from this cigar was a muted wrapper that smelled nicely and reminded me of that smell many have reported when opening a box of Cuban cigars. It cut nicely and the foot lit easily. The draw was pretty good, not to tight or loose. The taste was a surprising mix of light spice and vegetal notes that were initially grassy and tended to shift toward sweet notes on the finish that had a decent core of leather to it. I have not tried these young, but the smoke tastes mellower and perhaps more mature than it might in its youth. An enjoyable hour and half smoking experience that was most rewarding during the last few inches of the cigar that developed nicely when smoked slowly.

Ramon Allones 898 ’01 (A gift from Dav1041)

I’ve wanted to try this discontinued cigar for a long time and have been waiting for a decent time to smoke it since the Herf with Dave. I was lucky to have a semi-warm afternoon to try it in late January. I’ve never smoked one before and doubt I’ll see anymore anytime soon, which is a shame to say the least. The smoking experience was the closest thing to perfection that I’ve come to in my short time smoking. This cigar was elegant and the taste did not disappoint me in the least. The taste was complex and unique. I have not experienced anything close to it. The taste changed and shifted from a very enjoyable tobacco flavor with undertones of leather all the way to a nice light vegetal quality that had some cool notes of citrus on the finish. I noted some spice in the beginning, but the overall taste was balanced and mellow and made it a great cigar.

[Curt]

How did it compare to the '02 8-9-8 you smoked in November?

[Mark Twain]

» How did it compare to the '02 8-9-8 you smoked in November?

Never smoked an 8-9-8 before. What are you thinking of?

[Professor Twain]

» How did it compare to the '02 8-9-8 you smoked in November?

"Professor Twain" smoked an '02 8-9-8 in November, Curt. I liked them so much I bought two boxes!

I believe that "Mark Twain" is a distant cigar relative. Glad that you enjoyed this so much, Mark.

[Curt]

» » How did it compare to the '02 8-9-8 you smoked in November?

»

» "Professor Twain" smoked an '02 8-9-8 in November, Curt. I liked them so

» much I bought two boxes!

»

» I believe that "Mark Twain" is a distant cigar relative. Glad that you

» enjoyed this so much, Mark.

D'oh.

Well, if ever the Twains shall meet, you'll have a STUNAD to talk about.:-(

[bassman]

Personally, I've found the 02 RA 898s have a more intense flavor than the 01s. As for the RyJ Belicoso, a couple 02 left me underwhelmed, but the 05s are real spice bombs.

[josie67]

» Personally, I've found the 02 RA 898s have a more intense flavor than the

» 01s. As for the RyJ Belicoso, a couple 02 left me underwhelmed, but the

» 05s are real spice bombs.

'02 898's are the BOMB, and as far as the RYJ Belicoso, I have never been a fan of these.

[cigardawg]

Great reviews. I have never been a fan of the R&J Belicoso, but the RA 898 is fantastic. In fact, I smoked one this past weekend in Louisville, KY. Great cigar for a great event.

[Shooter]

RA 898's are REAL hard to beat. Almost universally, you will never hear anything negative about 'em--which CAN'T always be said for so many other vitolas. The early one's that I've smoked, '00 and '99 were very mild--yet still enjoyable but as mentioned above--the '02's just rock my world! Now THAT's a cigar!!

RyJ Belicosos also have never really done it for me. I've got some dark beauts from '01 myself and they're just "okay." Now, with RyJ I'll take the Exhibition #4 any day and Sunday as THAT's one that also has blown me away with RyJ's splendor.

Thanks for the reviews!