Ramon Allones Belicoso (SVF MAY05)

[shrink]

I last sampled this cigar about six months ago, and that time I found it to be quite flavorful, but still somewhat muted. Certainly no more than medium-bodied, at best. Well, time has worked its magic...

Tonight's example came out of the gate like a raging bull. Full-bodied, with an intensity of spice that left no doubt; Señor Belicoso was waking up. The quality of the smoke was unusually dense and mouth-coating, leaving a burning sensation like a hot cinnamon candy melting on the tongue. The core profile was complex and woody, infused with an almost indescribable range of spices and fermented fruity essences. At times, it exhibited notes of maraschino cherry.

The impression was of a classic liqueur, well-aged in an oak barrel, that completely permeated my senses. It managed to be both astringent and sweet at the same time. It was almost too spicy, but like most peppery dishes, each mouthful simply demanded another, if only to smother the burning sensation with the intensity of flavor. Oh, it hurt so good!

This campana is good to go, but it's not hard to see where a few more years are going to take it. More mellow, sweeter, with an even richer liqueur-like finish. This is going to be a seriously good cigar.

[BobbyRitz]

Nice review, Bob.

I had an SVF MAY05 two weekends ago and agree, these are waking up. I also agree with your suggestion of fermented fruit. I really enjoyed their subtle nuances in the background. I found the flavors to be better when I focused on a slow draw. Overheating this cigar causes a spicier, woodier result.

A+ cigar...with plenty of room to grow.

Best,

Rob

[Stalebread]

This campana is good to go, but it's not hard to see where a few more years are going to take it. More mellow, sweeter, with an even richer liqueur-like finish. This is going to be a seriously good cigar.

Fine review.

This cigar, the May '05, has become one of my favorite cigars.

I think I recall your saying somewhere, Shrink, that you thought the '07 RA Belicoso would eventually outshine, or, I guess that would be outsmoke, the '05s. Do you still feel that way?

[shrink]

I think I recall your saying somewhere, Shrink, that you thought the '07 RA Belicoso would eventually outshine, or, I guess that would be outsmoke, the '05s. Do you still feel that way?

Good question. I based that earlier statement on my experiences with a fairly limited number of cigars: less than a dozen '05 RAB's and only one '07. Until now, I have found the '05s to be flavorful, but never more than medium-bodied. The last couple I smoked were decidedly muted, so I laid off of them for a while. This last '05 certainly shows a lot of promise, it was almost an entirely different smoke, in comparison. Frankly, it surprised me; hopefully the rest of the '05s will follow suit. But these will still need two to three years, in my experience, before they are fully ripe.

It's been a few months, but I recall being very impressed with the '07 RAB I sampled. It was very full-flavored, only a bit rough around the edges as one would expect from a young cigar. However, like its' 2007 stablemates, the RASCC and RASS, it was much more approachable than earlier vintages had been at similar ages. I still believe that the 2006 - 2007 Ramon Allones reached a high-water mark for the brand, and they are continuing to smoke and age very well, without any obvious dumb period so far.

So, my earlier conclusion has been somewhat tempered by this ONE cigar, but given the fact that the '05 RAB's are now VERY hard to come by, I recommend that RA lovers buy all the '07s that they can afford. In terms of flavor profile, it comes closest to the blend of the 2002 RA 898V of all the vitolas I've sampled.

Hope this helps.

[BobbyRitz]

In terms of flavor profile, it comes closest to the blend of the 2002 RA 898V of all the vitolas I've sampled.

That's one hell of an endorsement. I hope you're spot on.

[El Presidente]

Great review Bob

Progressive tasting really does show up how quickly some cigars evolve. The RA Beli Bob reviewed could be even better in May 2010.....or not. I suppose correct terminology is that it will be different. The beauty of progressive tasting (6 monthly) is that you track the evolution of your box of cigars. As in this case it can be quite a journey