Ramón Allones Small Club Coronas POS DIC 06

[tigger]

Having seen Rob's request for 2006 reviews, wanting to contribute something to this great community that I've not been giving to lately, and realizing that I have a busy weekend ahead in which any cigar smoking I do won't get the focus a review deserves, I grabbed one of these little guys out of the coolers on the way out the door this morning in the hope that lunchtime would provide sufficient time to smoke and write...

I'm more inclined to refer to this as tasting notes, rather than a review, as there isn't time to do much more than convey impressions right now.

Appearances, etc.

-Slightly rough, mottled brown wrapper

-A gentle squeeze shows a very firm cigar, perhaps too firm

-Bunch doesn't look terribly tight, so maybe there's hope

-Wrapper smells of sweet hay, and foot has a hint of molasses

The Cut

-Despite the firm feeling, draw is spot on - just the right amount of resistance

-Cold draw is papery and vegetal, with a little bitterness to it

The Burn

Initial draws have a nutty sweetness to them, with a very tangy finish.

First Third

-Thin flavors of molasses and tea, with a hint of lemon on the finish

-Interesting, but unbalanced

-Surprisingly white ash

Second Third

-Building on previous flavors, there are some nutty notes

-Finish is a mess - tart and bitter

-Body, which started out quite thin, is getting very heavy

Final Third

-Turning into the delinquent bastard child of Don Jaime Partagas and Simone (nyuk nyuk) Bolivar: wild, really unbalanced pepper, earth and stewed fruit flavors with ponderously heavy body and a very bitter finish

Rating

73, but see:

Comments

This little minuto is a mess - unbalanced, murky, and all over the place. Not something I will smoke more of right now. That said, it has improved greatly over the first couple I tried in early 2007, which were tight and almost devoid of flavor. I suspect that even at two and a half years of age, most of my disappointment is attributable to youth. I have no desire to smoke another one of these this year, but will be very interested in giving them another go next summer, as I think they might settle into something worthwhile.

[aavkk]

Interesting Tim, either you got an off box or my Feb 07's will be entering a sick period soon. I smoked one about 2 weeks ago and had a much better experience than you here.

[mkz]

Thanks for the review.

I´m still waiting for any RASCC to impress me...

[mbrody]

From my Sept 07 box, i have had a bunch plugged. The smokeable ones were good. One stick in particular was GREAT. If they all smoked like the great one, boy would I stock up...The Great one was pure stewed fruit.

[jeromeroselli]

I can vouch for mike brody's plugged rascc's

[mbrody]

Always bustin my bawls you are J

[neal875]

Thanks for the review.

I´m still waiting for any RASCC to impress me...

Ditto. I've given up on these until someone reveals a vintage of them that is worth trying. Anyone?

[shrink]

I got a bunch of early '07 boxes that were just great when young. Strong and spicy with classic RA flavors. By early '08 they had lost their punch, and were beginning to get sick. Haven't tried one since. They'll come around; they had all the right stuff when young.

[joeypots]

I got two '07 boxes on special. One box has light wrappers and are hard as rocks. Unsmokeable. The other box has dark wrappers , great construction and are terrific cigars that should be knockouts with a little age.

[bassman]

Both 07 & 08 have been the most inconsistant Cuban cigars I've smoked since the 99-01 stuff. Some are stunningly good, some OK, and some just want to burn on one side. I just "rediscovered" a box from 04 so will report back after I have a couple.

[El Presidente]

Thanks for the review Tigger.

The RASCC have drifted in consistency over the past 6 months (so we are talking 07/08 stock). Some great, some average and a few poor.

I would love to see them back at their consistent best which is where they were 12 months ago.

[hsmunoz]

I am halfway through a box of Jun 08's and they have all been very good relative to expectation.

no draw issues, nice chocolate profile. Excellent as a breakfast smoke with coffee.

[Jakester]

When it comes to the RASCC, I can only speak (with any degree of experience) on the 06's. I was impressed from the start and loaded up on them. I've not regretted it since. With the exception of one box that contained a number of tight examples, my 06's (all are POS) have been extremely consistent. Some are superb, and nearly all have been excellent - the POS 06 RASCC might just be most consistent smoke in my humidor. Classic RA flavor profile and with good strength - a pure pleasure that I look forward to enjoying for years to come.