Wiley Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 TEB JUL07 The first time I ever had a RASS was in the summer of 2004 when I got a handful in a trade. They had the most unbelievably thick and heavy smoke, almost too cloying, almost sticky. I remember that, and that they strongly favored cream and vanilla. I don't really know why I haven't picked up any more between then and now. Maybe because I tend to avoid cigars that thick. Saturday I decided was a good day to suffer freezing my ass off for the sake of a smoke, a book, and cheap French champagne. Ah, what the hell, I might as well try to come up with a review while I'm out! It started somewhat blandly, just that typical peppery tobacco, and mild. That didn't last long, fortunately. The pepper rapidly gave way to the kinds of brown spices I have trouble keeping separate, but I was thinking fruit cake or spice cake. I could pick up subtle threads of the cream and vanilla. And an occasional thread I could barely get a hold of, but I'd swear it was lemon. I imagine these cigars aging very well. Unfortunately, they're also the kind of cigar that doesn't last long in my house. I'm going to have to give some thought to getting enough so that some of them will make it.
shrink Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 Ah, the venerable RASS. 2007 was another good year for these. In the first pic, it bears a striking resemblance to a "flying pig", a cigar with caps on both ends. Just an optical illusion, it seems.
Colt45 Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 These are not a favorite of mine - but my experience is limited to an '05 box I've been smoking from over the past couple of years. Construction has varied - many underfilled, loose draws, varying ring gauges..... Flavor as you described - weak tobacco and a little pepper. This past weekend I smoked another. Lo and behold, a firmer draw and better flavor, though still just a decent cigar. This box in combination with the robusto size does not make me want to acquire more, though I wouldn't mind seeing an RA Corona Gorda. Thanks for the review!
Guest rob Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 Thanks for the review and photos, mate. I hear what you say about not lasting long. I'd smoke one every day if it wouldn't send me broke.
anacostiakat Posted February 3, 2009 Posted February 3, 2009 These are not a favorite of mine - but my experience is limited to an '05 box I've been smoking from over the past couple ofyears. Construction has varied - many underfilled, loose draws, varying ring gauges..... Flavor as you described - weak tobacco and a little pepper. This past weekend I smoked another. Lo and behold, a firmer draw and better flavor, though still just a decent cigar. This box in combination with the robusto size does not make me want to acquire more, though I wouldn't mind seeing an RA Corona Gorda. Thanks for the review! Geez! I didnt really care for these at first. Later, I smoked some with some age on them. Smoked a few freshies. These age magnificently. I really think a fiver in the cave is recommended. I really do enjoy these and am glad I revisited them. Good ROI as well...
Wiley Posted February 4, 2009 Author Posted February 4, 2009 These are not a favorite of mine - but my experience is limited to an '05 box I've been smoking from over the past couple ofyears. Construction has varied - many underfilled, loose draws, varying ring gauges..... Flavor as you described - weak tobacco and a little pepper. This past weekend I smoked another. Lo and behold, a firmer draw and better flavor, though still just a decent cigar. This box in combination with the robusto size does not make me want to acquire more, though I wouldn't mind seeing an RA Corona Gorda. Thanks for the review! These are currently my only box of robustos. I don't like the feel of cigars that big, but I can't quite bring my self to dismiss some of the blends I enjoy that can only be found in this size. A predicament, for sure. Especially since the boys keep fawning over fat cigars in their video reviews!
Colt45 Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 I know what's going to happen guys - I'll try a few good ones and be hooked. I'd still prefer a corona gorda though
shrink Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 ... my experience is limited to an '05 box I've been smoking from over the past couple of years. No wonder you're not a fan! 2005 was the worst year for RASS this decade. Even the lousy '04s were better, and I sold a box of those. 2006 and 07 were excellent years. No lie.
jwm8592 Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 I agree, I have a 2 bxs from 06, and they are fantastic! Not sure what year the ones currently at Czar's are from??????
greenpimp Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 Nice review. I really think these need a good amount of time to shine. I had one of my few remaining 2002's last week and to say it was excellent would be selling it short. Very hearty, extremely complex, well-balanced smoke. Of course when I smoked one of them in 2003 it nearly blew my head off. So strong and green. Don't know what the 2006s and beyond will become. Do they have the guts. I hope so.
Ken Gargett Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 These are currently my only box of robustos. I don't like the feel of cigars that big, but I can't quite bring my self to dismiss some of the blends I enjoy that can only be found in this size. A predicament, for sure. Especially since the boys keep fawning over fat cigars in their video reviews! we can only smoke what rob decrees. and didn't we do the RASS? not all that favourably if a i recall.
maalouly Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Totally agree with you! One of the best Robusto in the market today up there with Cohibah Robusto and PSD 4 ... Funny enough I had one yesterday its' been aging in my humidor for 12 months now, and I could swear I was able to taste blueberry! I had to puff twice to make sure I wasn't convincing myself .. and yep there it was! BLUEBERRY! has anyone taste blueberry before while smoking a RASS? I always taste vanilla/chocolate and bit of coffee but this time it added blueberry and mint! amazing cigar definetly would always have a box in the humi.
Jimmy2 Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 RASS =Main flavor and a trade mark for this size is sweet stewd fruit and rich tobacco flavor .Also full bolded with a very long after taste yummy....
Professor Twain Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 I have a cab of 07s, and about half a box of 04s that I picked up from a friend. Both are great cigars, but they are utterly different. The 07s are bold, full flavored, fruity, and bright. The 04s are fruity, but smooth and creamy. I love them both. I am smoking one of the 04s right now. It is really a perfect robusto. Of course it lacks the complexity of a longer cigar, like an 898, but it is a very satisfying cigar. Both cigars are as good a robusto as I have ever had.
dheppler Posted September 23, 2009 Posted September 23, 2009 Thanks for the review, I have a couple '07's to sample from a friend. I may just have to do so later this eve!
BolivarSmoker Posted September 24, 2009 Posted September 24, 2009 Nice review. These are one of my favs. I have a question and hope someone has an answer. This might have been answered before, but I'll ask anyway. I have two boxes of RASS. One is 2007 the other 2008. The bands on the 07's look identical to the photos in the review. Virtually no embossing on the bands. The bands on the 08's are embossed. Why do the bands vary from time to time with these sticks?
dcse Posted September 24, 2009 Posted September 24, 2009 Thank you for sharing. Some retailers distinguish between the blending of the Specially Selected (25) and the Especial Selection (50), indicating that the Especial Selection has more power, deepness and earthy flavours. Any views on this?
Kangaroo495 Posted September 24, 2009 Posted September 24, 2009 Nice review. These are one of my favs. I have a question and hope someone has an answer. This might have been answered before, but I'll ask anyway. I have two boxes of RASS. One is 2007 the other 2008. The bands on the 07's look identical to the photos in the review. Virtually no embossing on the bands. The bands on the 08's are embossed. Why do the bands vary from time to time with these sticks? Mate, this does seem to have been covered before. Check here to see if it gives you an answer http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/inde...showtopic=97909
BolivarSmoker Posted September 24, 2009 Posted September 24, 2009 Mate, this does seem to have been covered before. Check here to see if it gives you an answerhttp://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/inde...showtopic=97909 I figured that someone has talked about it before. Thanks for the link!
aavkk Posted September 24, 2009 Posted September 24, 2009 Thank you for sharing.Some retailers distinguish between the blending of the Specially Selected (25) and the Especial Selection (50), indicating that the Especial Selection has more power, deepness and earthy flavours. Any views on this? I hesitate to comment on this as my experience is limited but I have had a very different experience from a cab and a dress box from the same box code on these. The cab is richer, stronger and fuller in body and all around a better cigar. The DB version is not a bad cigar at all, just not as good as the cab. I have had the same experience with Boli Corona Extras and so even with this very limited sample size I always choose a cab over a DB. I do have other reasons as well as to why I prefer cabs but as for the cigars being blended differently I'm not entirely sure all I know is that my experiece is go for the cab.
Bartolomeo Posted October 15, 2009 Posted October 15, 2009 RASS 2008 Pre draw was sweet, toasted tobacco flavor 51 mins smoke time Hot chocolate Brown colored wrapper w/ minimal veins Box pressed Wanted to like this so much b/c of price but was disappointed Flavor was slight powdery cocoa on initial puffs This was more like comfort food, down to earth smoke compared to Partagas Ser D #4 earlier in the day Good solid smoke but not great in my book I will try these again but with some age to them maybe Mild-med smoke for me 8.8/10 Bart
dicko Posted October 15, 2009 Posted October 15, 2009 RASS 2008Pre draw was sweet, toasted tobacco flavor 51 mins smoke time Hot chocolate Brown colored wrapper w/ minimal veins Box pressed Wanted to like this so much b/c of price but was disappointed Flavor was slight powdery cocoa on initial puffs This was more like comfort food, down to earth smoke compared to Partagas Ser D #4 earlier in the day Good solid smoke but not great in my book I will try these again but with some age to them maybe Mild-med smoke for me 8.8/10 Bart I am enjoying your review series Bart, keep them coming mate!! I too had the RASS and PSD4 over the last few days however I got some nice complxity (scones, hay, cuban spice) out of the RASS and found the partagas a little brutal, very tannic and heaps of leather and rich tobacco but only hints of some other flavours. Prob like 91/100 for RASS and 85/100 for PSD4 (with heaps of potential - not that they will last with in my small humidor, damn)
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