Kurtdesign1
The Thinker
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2004
- Messages
- 1,415
Ramon Allones 898v
Ramon Allones (Cuban)
Year: 2002
Size: Typical 898 (6-3/4" x 43 ring)
Medium bodied
Total smoke time: approx 50-70 mins.
I see what Hawkan always Raves about!
Starting off:
I was (as I always am) highly giddy to try this vitola for the first time. The Cabinet just arrived yesterday, but like I normally do with new boxes, I didn't want to wait any longer to light one. My favorite thing about cigars is seeing how they transform the longer I keep them in my posession. So, by enjoying one immediately after its received, I, inturn, become more appreciative of where the cigar goes in all aspects of it's nature. To my surprise though, this cigar performed remarkably well for being as new to my collection as it was. What a treat.
Construction/Appearance:
This was not the prettiest girl on the block! It was veiny, had some minor damage from transit, a moderately toothy wrapper and had a slightly misapplied cap. All that aside, the draw was absolutely perfect and the burn was spot on (no touch-ups req'd), which for a new arrival, was a rare site indeed.
Flavor (1st half):
After this baby had been lit for a good 1/2" or so I stopped reading my book and honestly tried to identify the flavors present. Having not really been the greatest at doing this in the past, I wanted to see if my full attention would make a difference.
This is not the cigar to try to identify flavors from if you're a novice at doing so! I almost regret deciding to do it because I know there were numerous flavors that went unnoticed. One dominant theme seemed to be Sarsaparilla (the flavor of Root Beer), which to this day I have never experienced in any other cigar. Other flavors of record were mild coffee, milk chocolate and some fruit notes in the aroma.
Flavor (2nd half):
Man did this baby step it up! The sarsaparilla became overpowered and beaten to submission by the coffee flavors that by this point had stepped it up to being full bodied, Ethiopian roast! The chocolate tones turned dark and the fruity sensation that was picked up, seemed to cook itself all the way to a nice thick jam smell. Another dominant flavor jumped on the mat; RASS. Now I know that's not really a 'flavor' but it just seemed to be another part to this complex beauty. I think it becomes easy to understand if you look at it as an analogy between cars:
This (practically) 3 y/o 898 was a Ferrari, compared to a RASS being a Vette. They've both got an engine that goes, but the Horse has got oh, so much more!
Impression:
The other 24 of these babies will be enjoyed over the coming years along with my other RA stock. These did not disappoint even without giving them the proper resting time before sparkin' one up. In another month when I test again, I'll write on any differences between the experiences. I didn't nub this cigar because it was starting to get too cold outside. Man I wish I had! To sum everything up in one phrase I'd have to say, 'Every collection is incomplete without a box of these.'
90 of 100 (out of a true 100 scale)
Ramon Allones (Cuban)
Year: 2002
Size: Typical 898 (6-3/4" x 43 ring)
Medium bodied
Total smoke time: approx 50-70 mins.
I see what Hawkan always Raves about!
Starting off:
I was (as I always am) highly giddy to try this vitola for the first time. The Cabinet just arrived yesterday, but like I normally do with new boxes, I didn't want to wait any longer to light one. My favorite thing about cigars is seeing how they transform the longer I keep them in my posession. So, by enjoying one immediately after its received, I, inturn, become more appreciative of where the cigar goes in all aspects of it's nature. To my surprise though, this cigar performed remarkably well for being as new to my collection as it was. What a treat.
Construction/Appearance:
This was not the prettiest girl on the block! It was veiny, had some minor damage from transit, a moderately toothy wrapper and had a slightly misapplied cap. All that aside, the draw was absolutely perfect and the burn was spot on (no touch-ups req'd), which for a new arrival, was a rare site indeed.
Flavor (1st half):
After this baby had been lit for a good 1/2" or so I stopped reading my book and honestly tried to identify the flavors present. Having not really been the greatest at doing this in the past, I wanted to see if my full attention would make a difference.
This is not the cigar to try to identify flavors from if you're a novice at doing so! I almost regret deciding to do it because I know there were numerous flavors that went unnoticed. One dominant theme seemed to be Sarsaparilla (the flavor of Root Beer), which to this day I have never experienced in any other cigar. Other flavors of record were mild coffee, milk chocolate and some fruit notes in the aroma.
Flavor (2nd half):
Man did this baby step it up! The sarsaparilla became overpowered and beaten to submission by the coffee flavors that by this point had stepped it up to being full bodied, Ethiopian roast! The chocolate tones turned dark and the fruity sensation that was picked up, seemed to cook itself all the way to a nice thick jam smell. Another dominant flavor jumped on the mat; RASS. Now I know that's not really a 'flavor' but it just seemed to be another part to this complex beauty. I think it becomes easy to understand if you look at it as an analogy between cars:
This (practically) 3 y/o 898 was a Ferrari, compared to a RASS being a Vette. They've both got an engine that goes, but the Horse has got oh, so much more!
Impression:
The other 24 of these babies will be enjoyed over the coming years along with my other RA stock. These did not disappoint even without giving them the proper resting time before sparkin' one up. In another month when I test again, I'll write on any differences between the experiences. I didn't nub this cigar because it was starting to get too cold outside. Man I wish I had! To sum everything up in one phrase I'd have to say, 'Every collection is incomplete without a box of these.'
90 of 100 (out of a true 100 scale)
