This is getting crazy...

Another package came today, from 1849Badger on the CA forums. After I had asked a question about buying a reasonably priced box of NCs, he responded with an email that I should try the AB Harvest Selection '97s from CI.com, and said he would send me some to try. I graciously accepted, and lo and behold the package comes but not just with those... there were 2 Man O' Wars (Churchill and Robusto), a CAO Italia Toro, PSD#4, and Monti Open Regata. This was totally unexpected and really brightened up my day. I'm feeling a review coming on soon!!

Ramon Allones Small Club Corona

This will be my first Cuban review!! What a treat- got this RASCC from a BOTL on the CA forums (mbflash), and am very excited to test out my first RA. Heard great things about this brand so I am expecting an enjoyable smoke. Wrapper is a beautiful light chocolate color with an almost vein-less, leathery texture. The size is rather small at 4 1/4 x 42, but a perfect for a quick smoke. I have really been enjoying smaller smokes lately, and hope that this will become a regular in that category. The box pressed shape is a plus for me, but can sometimes make the draw tougher, so we'll see. Cut is a Xikar, lit with matches, along with some cold water.

Pre-light - Not much flavor out of the pre-light draw, but the draw itself is good, with a slight tug.

First Third - The distinct Cuban flavor pops out at me (as I smoke rather few Cuban cigars, though I hope to change that soon), along with a toasty and pretzely flavor. A woodiness brang up the rear, and I can tell this will be more on the full bodied side. There is a hint of spiciness, which is very appealing, and it is providing me with some very nice clouds of smoke. Burn is not exactly straight, but no need to fret. No re-lighting necessary. The ash is a very dark grey, almost black color.

Second-Third - The smooth jazz I'm listening to is going very well with this smoke. Spice has quickly taken its place as the driver in this stog, but the wood and toastyness are still very present. A wee bit of harshness developed after stoking the stick, but that is my fault- not Mr. Allones'. I have seem to come across a sweet flavor which it fitting my fancy quite well tonight. It is almost a chocolate flavor, and quite a rich one at that. This would have gone great with a cup of coffee, which again, I neglected to make before I lit up.

Third Third - So far, this has been quite good. The flavors have somehow mellowed and blended together for me, creating a pleasant smoking experience now fore fronted by the "Cubanish" flavor. Burn continues to be less than perfect but nothing to complain about, as the smoke may have even become thicker. The leathery feel is a delight in my hands. The small tug in the draw is prompting me to take my time and focus on each one. This is a rugged stick with just the right amount of polish. Complexity is not a main product of this stick, but there is enough for me to really enjoy each puff. Nubbing it is not even a question for me, as the sweetness, spice, wood and toast notes continue right up until the end, and there is no sign of burning. Surprisingly this lasted me almost 45 minutes!

Conclusion and Score - Well this being my first RA, I am very impressed. I have heard there is a decent amount of variation in these sticks, but this one was perfect for me tonight. The spicy, woody, sweet, and toasty flavors along with the Cuban kick blended perfectly. Draw and burn were not fantastic, but would definitely not stop me from coming back. In fact, this will hopefully be a regular in the AJ humidor. With age, this cigar could really be a beast of a smoke. I would have no problem dubbing this an 89 rating, with room for improvement based on a few years of age. Surely pick one up if you have not had these yet. I am looking forward to the RASS I have- if it is along the lines of this one, I will be in for a treat.

Rocky Patel Havana Corojo Toro

Just moved into my new apartment for this year at school and had a wonderful PSD#4 yesterday to celebrate. Now it's review time, by request, for the Rocky Patel Havana Corojo. This beast was a gift from a good BOTL and best friend. He enjoyed it and was eager to see what I thought. Looks like a nice smoke, with a lighter colored, mildly leathery wrapper and flawless construction. This thing is huge, at 6x60 and has a fantastic pre-light draw.

Pre-light - Draw is very easy, though not bad, and it has a pleasant, though faint, aroma. Enjoying this in my local B&M with a cup of water. Cut is a Xikar and light is a torch.

First Third - The first few draws gave clouds of smoke that would rival special ops smoke bombs. The distinct corojo flavor hits me right away, with a tad bit of harshness which quickly dissipated. I am in awe at the robust flavor- consisting of coffee, wood, and a tad bit of leather- and the huge clouds of smoke from the beautiful draw. I was thinking this would be another of RP's newer blends that would further the "stretched thin" theory about his company, but I was completely wrong. No question about that. The flavor is more full than I expected, though it could not pass for anything more than medium in body. Barely 3/4 of an inch in, I got blasted with a rich, black coffee flavor, another pleasant surprise! Ash and burn are not perfect, but defiantly decent. No need to relight or even touch up yet.

Second Third - Burn and draw continue to be great, as the flavors lean more towards the nutty and woody side, still with the coffee flavor. Sweetness has snuck in and I am continuing to adore this stick. The ash was about an inch and a half before I dropped it, showing good construction, though it was not particularly tight or smooth. The rich flavors of this cigar would go perfect with a cup of coffee... damn this place for not having coffee lol.

Third Third - The flavors have stayed pretty consistent, though with complex twists every half inch or so. The rich coffee is back and a toastyness has joined the party, every minute being more enjoyable than the last. The clouds of smoke are still coming and the stick shows no signs of heat. Though not as full as I normally smoke, this stick is definatly going to be a usual in my humi (if I can find it!). A little harshness showed up towards the last couple inches of this cigar, but I am still very much loving it. The nub got a but hot but that's just the nature of the beast (regarding nubs).

Conclusion and Score - This cigar was a huge surprise to me. RP has created a mildly complex, very rich, flavorful stick with a fantastic draw. The wood, nut, and coffee notes were quite enjoyable and I had a hard time putting it down. I rarely smoke 60 gauge cigars so this was a nice switch for me, and I have only good things to say about the whole experience. For a rating, I would have to give this an 88. A very good everyday kind of cigar (if you have at least an hour), and a perfect stick for those who love thick clouds of smoke. Aging would probably give little to no improvement to the Havana Corojo, so don't feel bad about smoking them fresh. Overall, it was a very solid smoke that hit all the points on the aficionado checklist.