MX
Quietly getting back into the cigar culture.....
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2007
- Messages
- 4,913
Guys, this is taken from my Blog the link can be found at the bottom in my signature.
Ramon Allones Gran Robusto - RE Benelux
So this will be a different kind of review. Not just the simple checklist, but much more. Right now there is nothing smoking better in my humidor. I guess I am pretty lucky that I can get these just about anytime I want while I am living here in Brussels. I will be trying my best to pick up a box before they are gone forever.
First the regular review:
Brand Name: Ramon Allones – RE Benelux
Size / Name: Gran Robusto
Length x Ring: 6.1 x 50
Wrapper: Cuban
Binder: Cuban
Filler: Cuban
Appearance (1-10) 8
Light / Burn (1-10) 10
Construction (1-10) 10
Taste (1-10) 9
Value (1-10) 7
Now, the rest of the story…
Let start off with some release information and a little background on the company. The RE Benelux was first released in 25 count boxes and 50 ct SLB’s in 2007 and then re-released in the 25 and 50 counts boxes in 2008. They are getting harder to find but are still around.
Ramón Allones is a pre-revolution brand introduced circa 1845. It is a Habanos Local brand with a minor market share. A Galician by birth Ramón Allones was the first cigar manufacturer to pack his cigars in boxes decoreted with labels and stamped with his brand´s emblem. He was the pioneer of the packaging we know today. All the cigars are filled with a blend of tobaccos from the Vuelta Abajo region, characterised by their intense and complex taste.
the range includes ´tripa larga, totalmente a mano´-long filler, totally handmade cigars such as the famous Gigantes and Specially Selected.
To say this is a nice looking cigar is a bit of an understatement, although it is far from perfect. The wrapper had some veins that detracted from the overall look, as well as several bumps along the somewhat wavy length. I was concerned about the bumps, thinking that they may be stems. The wrapper is a beautiful dark café latte color and the Bands looked sharp against it.
At a little over 6 x 50 I know that I am in for a nice long smoke, and I think that I might be able to stretch this into a 2 hour session so I grab the book I am currently reading and my extra large thermal mug filled with my favorite French press coffee. Taking a sniff of the length and foot of the cigar leaves me with a sweet barn and earth impression. I flirted with punching the head, but decided to clip it with my Palio, thinking that a long smoke may lead to tar issues. The pre-light draw seems a bit stiff so a give it a easy roll in my palms, and it loosens up. Again, I am worried that the bumps in the wrapper may be an indication of a possible plug. I toast the foot with my triple flame torch, take a quick whiff of the light smoke, and then put it to the fire.
She lights up with ease ( I like to keep my CC’s in the 64%-66%) and I am greeted with a blast of the sweet flavors that I noted in the pre-light. I am not good with naming flavors and during the first third there were several different “sweet” notes that got this cigar off to a great start.
During the second third, things settle down into a nice creamy hay and mild tobacco for most of it. The ash falls at about 1.5 inches and is a dark grey and black and looks fairly rough. The smoke is thick and heavy and you can really feel it as it works around the mouth. I am not very good at the retro hale, but this one came off as mild to medium and without too much burn.
The burn was not perfect, but never needed a touch up. I was taking my time with this cigar. Between my coffee, which was a great pairing, and the book; I was afraid that I might let it go out on me.
During the last of the smoke, and I am at about 100 minutes now, the flavors turned to a stronger barn and tobacco. It never became harsh even though I did heat it up a few times toward the end. I ended up ashing about 4 times as I smoke this down to less than an inch.
Well there it is, a long winded review of one of my top smoking cigars.
Tim
Ramon Allones Gran Robusto - RE Benelux
So this will be a different kind of review. Not just the simple checklist, but much more. Right now there is nothing smoking better in my humidor. I guess I am pretty lucky that I can get these just about anytime I want while I am living here in Brussels. I will be trying my best to pick up a box before they are gone forever.
First the regular review:
Brand Name: Ramon Allones – RE Benelux
Size / Name: Gran Robusto
Length x Ring: 6.1 x 50
Wrapper: Cuban
Binder: Cuban
Filler: Cuban
Appearance (1-10) 8
Light / Burn (1-10) 10
Construction (1-10) 10
Taste (1-10) 9
Value (1-10) 7
Now, the rest of the story…
Let start off with some release information and a little background on the company. The RE Benelux was first released in 25 count boxes and 50 ct SLB’s in 2007 and then re-released in the 25 and 50 counts boxes in 2008. They are getting harder to find but are still around.
Ramón Allones is a pre-revolution brand introduced circa 1845. It is a Habanos Local brand with a minor market share. A Galician by birth Ramón Allones was the first cigar manufacturer to pack his cigars in boxes decoreted with labels and stamped with his brand´s emblem. He was the pioneer of the packaging we know today. All the cigars are filled with a blend of tobaccos from the Vuelta Abajo region, characterised by their intense and complex taste.
the range includes ´tripa larga, totalmente a mano´-long filler, totally handmade cigars such as the famous Gigantes and Specially Selected.
To say this is a nice looking cigar is a bit of an understatement, although it is far from perfect. The wrapper had some veins that detracted from the overall look, as well as several bumps along the somewhat wavy length. I was concerned about the bumps, thinking that they may be stems. The wrapper is a beautiful dark café latte color and the Bands looked sharp against it.
At a little over 6 x 50 I know that I am in for a nice long smoke, and I think that I might be able to stretch this into a 2 hour session so I grab the book I am currently reading and my extra large thermal mug filled with my favorite French press coffee. Taking a sniff of the length and foot of the cigar leaves me with a sweet barn and earth impression. I flirted with punching the head, but decided to clip it with my Palio, thinking that a long smoke may lead to tar issues. The pre-light draw seems a bit stiff so a give it a easy roll in my palms, and it loosens up. Again, I am worried that the bumps in the wrapper may be an indication of a possible plug. I toast the foot with my triple flame torch, take a quick whiff of the light smoke, and then put it to the fire.
She lights up with ease ( I like to keep my CC’s in the 64%-66%) and I am greeted with a blast of the sweet flavors that I noted in the pre-light. I am not good with naming flavors and during the first third there were several different “sweet” notes that got this cigar off to a great start.
During the second third, things settle down into a nice creamy hay and mild tobacco for most of it. The ash falls at about 1.5 inches and is a dark grey and black and looks fairly rough. The smoke is thick and heavy and you can really feel it as it works around the mouth. I am not very good at the retro hale, but this one came off as mild to medium and without too much burn.
The burn was not perfect, but never needed a touch up. I was taking my time with this cigar. Between my coffee, which was a great pairing, and the book; I was afraid that I might let it go out on me.
During the last of the smoke, and I am at about 100 minutes now, the flavors turned to a stronger barn and tobacco. It never became harsh even though I did heat it up a few times toward the end. I ended up ashing about 4 times as I smoke this down to less than an inch.
Well there it is, a long winded review of one of my top smoking cigars.
Tim