Ramon Allones Estupendos Regional Release POS AUG 06

[Colt45]

Another great review :-) I tried my first early in May - it was very close to your

summation, though mine did show much more youthfulness, especially after mid

point.

The wrappers are beautiful - thin and silky. I'm going to wait some time before the

next.

Do you have any thoughts on whether or not this might become a regular production

cigar? I'd love to see it.

[smokum]

I have been fighting of picking up a box of these since they are a bit pricey....I'm getting the itch. Prez I had a Sig IV last night that absolutely captivated me...doesn't happen often...2 nights before I had to toss one it was so tasteless.

[El Presidente]

» next.

» Do you have any thoughts on whether or not this might become a regular

» production

» cigar? I'd love to see it.

Doubtfull. Suprisingly the Punch Super Robusto outsold The RAE in the Asia Pacific.

I am not sure there is an appetite to launch a Churchill in a world of decreasing outlets where you can enjoy a long cigar.

[shrink]

I have never smoked a better cigar, at this stage in its development. As you note, the construction and appearance is exemplary. It looks like a supermodel all made up for a photo shoot. The opening is simply phenomenol, rich and complex without a hint of harshness or bitterness. The middle cigar is wonderfully flavorful, unmistakeably Ramon Allones, but more refined than any cigar of this marca that I have ever tasted. The word "soft" comes to mind when describing the quality of the smoke; it seems to caress your senses. This is one of the great ones; in a few years it may actually reach perfection.

[havanaclub7]

Rob,

I ordered four of these the other day and I can't wait! I have a feeling I'll be back for some more. I loved the review and it sounds like the perfect cigar for me!

[jadawin]

IVe only had one of these that i got from you guys a while back. The flavors were amazing, but the draw on the one i had really sucked. I fealt like the back of my head was going to cave in smoking that thing, way too tight. Glad to hear the one you smoked had a perfect draw!

[anacostiakat]

POS SEP06 here. Might be time to try another!

[bassman]

I don't like most RAs fresh, but the Estupendo has been a pleasure.

[Van55]

Great to read raves about these.

Thanks.

I'm sitting on some.

[pnutbutrsangwich]

I don't know how I've resisted temptation on these for so long. Nice to see that after a year, they're looking good. Thanks for the update!

[DH01]

Great review Prez. I need to try to get my hands on acouple of these bad boys

[stickman]

Had one of these about a week ago same box code and you described by experience ...I thought to myself what a fantastic smoke......they are truley the best of RA

[Guest cohiba]

Well i tried to smoke my first one a couple months ago, very disappointed. The draw was to tight i didnt get past the first inch. I have a box that has been waiting for discovery, i think i will go for it tonight.

Im not sure what to think. I felt most of them, and they sure seems HARD. I have had several cigars that felt really firm but, smoke just great.

Maybe time was all these needed for my box, i will check real soon.

Great Review Rob !!!!

[El Presidente]

» Well i tried to smoke my first one a couple months ago, very disappointed.

» The draw was to tight i didnt get past the first inch. I have a box that

» has been waiting for discovery, i think i will go for it tonight.

»

» Im not sure what to think. I felt most of them, and they sure seems HARD.

» I have had several cigars that felt really firm but, smoke just great.

»

» Maybe time was all these needed for my box, i will check real soon.

»

» Great Review Rob !!!!

Smoke another.

If you have a pluggged box lets do something about it.

[JeepCop]

I ordered a few singles a while back, and I was completely blown away. I remember commenting at the time on BlowinSmoke that this cigar was probably the best CC I have smoked to date.

I will definitely be ordering more of these.

[HeavySmoke]

» Ramon Allones Estupendos Regional Release POS AUG 06

»

» Coming up to a year of age and I was interested to see how these were

» developing. It has been 6 months since my last and my interest had been

» pricked from comments by local clients that these are stellar now. They

» were excellent 6 months ago with real potential but some rough edges. Work

» never ceases ;-)

Pres,

What do you think about the Punch Super Robusto now this it is almost a year old? A review is in order. :-)

[El Presidente]

»

» Pres,

»

» What do you think about the Punch Super Robusto now this it is almost a

» year old? A review is in order. :-)

I will fire one up later on this week. I don't hold high hopes for a sensational smoking experience as these were nowhere near ready a year ago......but looking forward to it none the less ;-)

[tigger]

Terrific review El Pres!

I sat down yesterday with a good friend whom I haven't seen in quite awhile and we each had one. I'm sure the good company was part of it, but these are shaping up wonderfully...

[El Presidente]

Ramon Allones Estupendos Regional Release POS AUG 06

Coming up to a year of age and I was interested to see how these were developing. It has been 6 months since my last and my interest had been pricked from comments by local clients that these are stellar now. They were excellent 6 months ago with real potential but some rough edges. Work never ceases ;-)

Just a gorgeous looking cigar. Well rolled with a slightly sweet tobacco aroma intertwined with aged cheese notes. The wrappers on these were certainly the finest available in Havana at the time. I have found few better wrappers on any other cigar from that period.

Construction is flawless. Look at the crossection of the foot. Perfect.

Clipped the cap and there is a sweet cream flavour from the test draw. This is no wind tunnel and the roller should give classes to the rest of the floor on how to achieve a pin point classic Cuban draw.

Fired up the foot and noticed an immediate hit of sweet luscious cream evloving slowly into cream and coffee. How to descibe this...picture yourself with a tub of thickened cream....take a shot of espresso coffee...pur it on top and mix it through. The colour should be pale brown...cream dominating.

The aroma is unique. Cuban tobacco and toffee. There are also some flowery nuances. The opening to this cigar was captivating to the extent that I paid sole attention to it for the next 15 minutes. I love it when a cigar captures your imagination like that. For me it is roughly a one in 50 cigar phenomenon. You have plenty of good to very good cigars...and then comes along one cigar which transfixes you. Recently the Genios did it, the Cohiba Pirimide LE 2006 did it, I had a Reyes the other morning which did it....God bless them all.

The Estupendos is evolving slowly but sees no real need to change its core cream and coffee flavour delivery. What it does do is introduce thrrough its length at differing points dried fruits, cheese cake and an array of toasted nuts: almonds, pecans. Strictly medium bodied throughout, not an ounce of bitterness but some elements of dry grass which while not off putting give some hint to youthfullness and further developement.

The last 3 inches of the cigar lost some of the cream/coffee elements and introduced some shitake mushrooms (quite strong)into the mix. Now we are in the zone of wet forest floors, a touch of wet cedar.

Nubbed it and a sheer delight. If you haven't smoked one of these as of yet, do so. You can purchase singles ( boxes are available but pricey) so keep even a handfull in the humidor as they are destined to be a classic.

93/100 5/6 smokerings