Ramon Allones Specially Selected - OSU DIC00

[pnutbutrsangwich]

After 2 mildly disappointing examples from this particular 2000 vintage box (the first of which had significant wrapper damage that certainly detracted from the experience), recently I decided to try for a third (this time’s a charm, right?).

This particular example looked gorgeous with a nice fill and a silky smooth, colorado wrapper that featured some nice mottling. A quick snip later and I found that I had a cigar with an excellent, open draw. The prelight draw was mildly woody with some subtle nutty notes mixed in. I couldn’t wait any longer so I toasted the foot and with a couple puffs, this RASS was off to the races.

The initial flavors were very strong. There were notes of cashews, honey, bitter coffee, a clay-like earthiness and bittersweet chocolate. I couldn’t believe how complex it was right off the bat! The aroma coming off the foot was very complex as well with a mild spice and an earthy note that had a chalky texture to it (hard to describe… I didn’t know smells had texture either!)

After about a ½ inch, the cigars really settled down, but did not lose any complexity. The chalkiness remained, but it was joined by a chocolate covered cherry flavor that was so smooth and rich with a dry sweetness. It was unreal. This was one of those cigars that take you away from everything.

Into the end of the first third, the cigar developed the most peculiar tastes I have encountered in my experience. The finish had a strong agave note. It was like tequila without the burning alcohol taste. Then, things got even more bizarre. Flavors became very delicate. One puff was chocolate, the next, strawberries, and the next model glue (no lie here… it was just one puff, but it was unmistakable)! It was like an olfactory hallucination. Is there peyote in this thing?

Through the last third and into the nub of the cigar, some mild savory notes became evident. A mild saltiness came through and some roasty notes developed as well, amidst the increasing strength of toasted tobacco. Toward the end, the earthiness increased in strength and the cigar became mildly tannic for the first time. The texture was immensely smooth, despite the increasing strength of the cigar.

Wow. What an experience! This was a fantastic smoke and it was one that was so complex you could literally get lost in it. Too bad these are kinda tough to find with age. I’d give this a solid 93, maybe a 94.

[Tampa1257]

A aged RASS for me is an experience worthy of waiting for them to age. While I also enjoy smoking a young RASS, when I smoke a aged RASS it is truly a wonderful experience.

Nice review!

[El Presidente]

Great review! These are the cigars that keep you coming back. When you hit that "Holy Grail" ...the perfect cigar...the balance, complexity. The type of cigar which demands your entire focus

[Don Candido]

Nice review.

I need to go find these and smoke one!

[shrink]

Bravo! Now that was an outstanding review. I could almost taste it.

[aavkk]

Ive devoted 2 boxes of RASCC for 7+ years of age but it seems I need to do the same with a cab of RASS. Paging Lisa...