Ramon Allones Estupendos Asia RE – POS AGO 06

[Kingantz]

For such a fine day I decided to try out a fine cigar. Today it was the Ramon Allones Estupendos - Exclusivo Asia Pacifico (Regional Release). This heavy weight rang in at 7 x 47 and quite spongy when squeezed, possibly due to being in the very bottom back of the wineador and a bit overly humidified. Nontheless the quadruple cap (yes, quad) was punched and pre-draw tasted of fresh tobacco…maybe still a little young even with a couple of years? I toasted the foot lightly as I usually do, and the thing needed no fire as it actually caught on with just the toasting. This thing was a freight train of smoke, and immediately with the first draw came flavors of sweet cocoa and cream. Very smooth, almost velvety with a delicious long finish. Throughout were the same cocoa/chocolate flavors along with rich, creamy coffee. There were a few touch-ups along the way, again from a combination of wind and a bit over humidified, however no bitterness or harshness anywhere. I did detect a small amount of that young tobacco flavor in places, however with another year or so, I believe that will disappear altogether and this thing will truly come into it’s own. I can’t wait to find out!

This little bugger came buzzing right on the patio table at my hand. Had some paper balled up and it tore into it, no idea why.

And of course Mandy Ann being her usual lazy self…

[smokum]

Great review...KILLER photos King !! My living room smells like Estupendos now !!

[jaylax5]

Talk about perfect timing...I just bought a box of these (pos ago 06) from a BOTL! :-D

Thanks for the awesome review! Great pics too!

[Guest rob]

The 2006 RA Estupendos is the best cigar I have had this year... in fact, it was a good length or two ahead of the next best cigar I have had.

[jaylax5]

» The 2006 RA Estupendos is the best cigar I have had this year... in fact,

» it was a good length or two ahead of the next best cigar I have had.

You getting ready for the triple crown? LOL! :-P

[shrink]

» The 2006 RA Estupendos is the best cigar I have had this year... in fact,

» it was a good length or two ahead of the next best cigar I have had.

Exactly how I felt when I first tried one in 2007... best cigar I'd had that year. Mine are sleepin'.

[El Presidente]

Great review of what will be a classic.

Love Mandy Ann

[CigarZen]

Nice looking Jack Russell... love those dogs! Have 2, myself.

. . . And great review on a cigar that I believe (hope) will be a classic in the future.

[Tampa1257]

Nice review, thanks for sharing. I typically find a fruitiness in the Ramon Allones marca. I have a box still sleeping for a few more years.

[jsummers157]

Hello, I am new to this site but just wanted to say you wrote an excellent review here! I have been wanting to try this cigar for some time and have been looking for a review to get a little more info. Great photos as well, really helpful!

[Ken Gargett]

missed this review first time round but thanks, great description. by chance, i pulled out my box last night and tossed up whether or not to try one. in the end, decided that i might wait a year or two more. now, i'm torn.

[marco polo]

Great pics, review! :-)

[jb007]

» Great pics, review! :-)

yeah good review, the RR's interest me heaps, working up the cash to grab some PL robusto's atm

[Guest rob]

I loved this review the first time... and re-reading it was fun again.

I had one of these fine cigars today.... but it was an overly humid and fairly cool day here - and the poor thing never had a chance. Too many burn issues unfortunately.

Taking all the good ones I have had into account, they still rate in my Top 10 of this decade.

[Dsav101]

Just smoked the one I had last night, and boy what a treat. Had some company over, some nice margueritas were poured, and smoked that up for a little over 2 hours. Man what a very solid smoke. Never had a single issue with it, cept for the fact that is burned. lol. Gonna have to come up with a never ending cigar because some of these treats should last forever!

Don

[kjellfrick]

Thanks for the review and the reminder! I'm spending a couple of hours in the garden with an Estupendo this fine afternoon . It's been more than a year since I had the last one and they have come a long way in that time. Smooth smoke indeed, creamy, berries, getting tastier and tastier. Thumbs up!

[shrink]

I recently smoked the first from a box of OCT07; the "re-issue" of the Regional Edition. I gave it at least a month to stabilize in the humi before sampling. I found it to be distinctly different from the 2006's I'd smoked previously.

My first impression was that the '07 was nowhere near as smooth and sophisticated as the original offering. It wasn't harsh, but it was more full-bodied, and somewhat more tannic. By mid-point, I was definitely enjoying the greater intensity and fuller flavors, which I have found in all of the other 2007 RA's. But by the end of the smoke, it was clear that it lacked the balance and sheer elegance of the 2006's. Maybe time will address these issues. I hope so. Still, a very good cigar.

But for now, given a choice, I'd take the '06 edition.