I was gifted this cigar by a great BOTL when I attended a Herf in California earlier this year. He knew that I really enjoyed the Ramon Allones marca and offered this to me to enjoy and potentially review. Thank you for the generosity my friend. Always enjoy herfing with you guys. The hospitality, friendships and fun times that are had with this group of amazing people is just mindblowing.
Let’s see how this is progressing…..
The 2005 Edicion Regional Italy Ramon Allones Seleccion Suprema is just a beautiful looking cigar. It is a Coronas Gordas vitola and comes in at a 46 ring gauge and is 5.6 inches in length. There were 500 numbered slide lid boxes of 25 cigars released.
*information courtesy of http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com
The wrapper is a molted, leathery, hazelnut hue of brown. Aromas of hazelnut, honey, raisins, earth and chocolate emanate from the wrapper.
The construction is excellent. Nice and firm throughout the cigar with a slight give when squeezed. The triple cap is a little rustic and the foot is nicely packed.
A quick twist from my punch and we are ready to roll.
The draw is perfect. Nice airflow with a slight resistance.
Initial flavours from the cold draw are honeysuckle, hazelnut, milk chocolate and raisins.
Time to take this to the flame….
First Third
Very robust and rich from the get go. Earth, expresso and cedar make their presence felt early. There is an absence of sweetness in the initial draws. Strength is at full level. A powerhouse to start. Nothing shy about this cigar.
The ash is a ‘Dirty’ whitish grey. The draw and burn are perfect. Smoke production is robust. All is good in the hood.
The retrohale reveals white pepper, expresso and earth. Really leaves an impression as it makes it way through the nasal passages.
Very robust and full after finish. Not to be smoked on an empty stomach as this is a very rich and high powered flavour profile. Earth and cedar lead the way, followed by expresso, white pepper and roasted nuts. The absence of sweetness is surprising. This is an ‘in your face’ cigar at this point. The strength really keeps the flavours on the palate for a long time. Mucho fuerte…
Second Third
Starting to calm down a bit in the strength category. Still medium to full at this point. Surprisingly strong and powerful flavour profile. Earth, expresso and cedar still lead the way, however, leather and roasted nuts have joined them. There is still an absence of sweetness in this cigar. Not getting and of the stewed fruit, raisins, or honey that I associate with the Ramon Allones marca. This is just balls on strong.
The retrohale sees the white pepper ease off and is replaced by roasted nuts and expresso. Still heavy as it makes its way through the nasal passages
The after finish is equally heavy. Strong hits of earth, expresso and cedar followed by expresso and roasted nuts. Not for the faint of heart. Long pauses between puffs to let my palate recover as this is a bruiser stick.
Final Third
Strength has finally moved into the medium category however, there is no change in the flavour spectrum. Cedar, leather, earth, roasted nuts and expresso continue to pound away on my palate like a jackhammer. The retrohale and afterfinish are consistent as well. Very rich, deep and brooding, this cigar is. Brash and bold on the palate with every draw. A very strong cigar indeed.
Final Impressions
This cigar is still not ready for prime time. Has the pedigree to continue to sleep and transform itself in the humidor. Top notch tobacco and construction however, I found it wasn’t as true to the Ramon Allones marca as other Edicion Regional vitolas. The absence of sweetness is equally surprising. No honey, stewed fruit or raisin flavours to be seen throughout the smoke. Crazy strong!!! Maybe those flavours will come out over time however, at this stage of the development, it’s all about the power baby!!!!
The 'Dirty' Ashes 