Ramon Allones Estupendo POS SEP 06 box 836/1240

[aavkk]

This is my second from this box and the first was stellar. This example looked excellent and felt well bunched. I have to say with all the talk lately about plug issues with these I have been a little worried my box would also be plagued.

Smell at cold was high quality tobacco. I clipped the cap and the draw seems just on the tighter side of perfect. Lighting the foot for a minute or so slowly over the Blazer yielded a wonderful sweet aroma. I am looking forward to this...

The first few puffs yielded an almost non-existant smoke volume! What the hell? I can pull air through but why no smoke? There is plenty of smoke coming out through the foot as I draw and purge. I can taste the flavors of the chocolate undertones in this first class smoke which is just out of my grasp- this is frustrating. I continue on and about the 1 1/2 mark this thing EXPLODED with smoke HERE WE GO! I am so glad I didnt toss this smoke and it is rewarding my patience. Flavors toward the end of the first 3rd are sweet cocoa and stewed fruit wrapped up in a medium full body.

Moving right along smoke volume is dense, thick, plentiful. Construction is outstanding and ash integrity is very strong. The stewed fruits are fading and being replaced by more body and unsweetened cocoa.

Heading into the finale of this smoke I am looking for the sweetness to return even for a just a cameo appearance- and it does. The body at this point is Full and the flavors are pouring out of this freight train of smoke. It leaves me with the RA fruity sweetness but with a distinctive chocolate core that seems to be the hallmark of this magnificent regional blend.

Overall this cigar has taken me on a journey of to to

If it was an 1 1/2 shorter and started with a perfect draw it would be a solid 93-94 but because of this opening it cant break 90- 89 it is.

I have never experienced such a difference between literally 0 smoke volume to the freight train of smoke that existed for 5 1/2 inches. Is this a "twisting of the bunch" or something else? I hope this is a unique example within the box.

[Guest rob]

Just read this review, soon after posting mine aa. Well done.

Seems we found very similar things to enjoy in this cigar.

If only the draw was a few psi lighter it would be 97 points.

[aavkk]

Rob these are among the "richest" cigars I own in that they just ooze flavor from everywhere. Well see how they develop.

[El Presidente]

Great Review.

There appear to be some construction issues with these as has been found by Colt and others. I must say that when perfectly rolled it is a magic blend. Hav great hope that these will become one of the great Churchills.

[josh pip]

They are great smokes but there are definitely construction problems. I opened the first of the two boxes I ordered and the first three cigars were plugged. I'll try to dry box one and see it that helps.