alawadi9 Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 Length: 15.3 cm Ring Gauge: 53 Factory Name: Sidon Vitola: Sobresalientes Type: Robusto Extra Presentation: Box of 25 cigars (Only 4000 Serial Numbered) Release Date: 2013 The Habanos importer Phoenicia Trading has once again paid respect to Lebanon's heritage by commemorating the historic city of Sidon (Saida as known today) with its latest release. This major southern Lebanese city has played an important role in the country's history as well as during the ancient Semitic civilization in the region. It was also believed that Jesus Christ has visited Sidon and has many biblical references. Having faced of many conquests, Saida today houses many historical monuments, landscapes and artifact dating back more than 4000 years. The Sea Castle - Courtesy of http://www.ashefaa.com Habanos S.A note on the release "The Phoenician city of Sidon was inhabited in 4000 BC where it was an important commercial port during that era. The city was well known for its glass manufacturing & the production of the famous purple dye from murex shells. Sidon surpassed all other Phoenician cities in wealth, commercial initiative & religious significance. Due to its prominence it was the target for a succession of conquerors. When Alexander the Great tried to invade the city, Sidonians locked their gates & immolated themselves rather than surrendering to the invader. The temple of Eshmoun, The Sea Castle & Khan El Franj are witnesses on the importance this old city had. the modern city of Sida is the capital of south Lebanon & the 3rd biggest city in the country. As a tribute to this heritage Phoenicia Trading named its regional edition for the year 2013 after Sidon - a special cigar for a special city." Sidon Sea port Courtesy of http://www.ashefaa.com The Sea Castle today - Courtesy of http://www.ashefaa.com Eshmoun Temple in Siada Courtesy of http://www.ashefaa.com Lets take a look at this RA Sidon tribute and see how it smokes... A graphic depiction of the Sea Castle in Saida on the outer box of the Ramon Allones Sidon The Construction - Sidon has a good firm construction with a semi-matte Colorado wrapper with tiny faint veins. The soft shine of the wrapper my give a look of dryness but firmness of the cigar and resistance is just perfect. It is well packed and the robusto extra size offers an appetizing smoke. The Draw - With a wide punch, the draw had a little resistance to it from the well packed tobacco but not that obscured to not be able to smoke it. Very light notes can be picked up from the draw but nothing worth noting except the deep earthy scent and a woody accent of the Sidon which probably came from the packaging it was in. It is fair to say that this tobacco is fairly young and hasn't developed solid characters yet. The First Burn - As expected the very first draws offered a light woody notes and a lot of ammonia taste which is an indicative of a fresh tobacco. Smoke is also very light but has a sweet and leathery taste and you get that zing in the back of the throat from the ammonia as well. The Middle Burn - Continues to delivers the same woody notes which is very cedar like in taste. The zing still lingers in the mouth with a light peppery spice but not much development til the end of the middle part. The Final Burn - That ammonia zing still comes through but the concentration of flavors finally showcases the Roman Allones characters towards the end. Light black pepper with hints of cocoa and lots of dry cedary wood are to be savored in this part. It sad that the last inch of the Sidon is quite enjoyable. Unlike its predecessors, the Sidon does not stand out to be a ready to smoke cigar with fully developed flavors, yet it is a great size cigar with potential of character development with aging. Will definitely need to rest those for a minimum of two years until we can see if there is some favorable character change. Hoping for the best, I know the Ramon Allones Libano (lebanon) Regionals will not disappoint, Just give it some time. The Sidon reminded me of when I first smoked the Bolivar Emiratos fresh out. For a sublime size it was not joyful at all to smoke for having such young tobacco, but if you smoke them today, oh my lord they truly stand by their reputation... absolute pleasure and sublime smoke! The Pairing - With the fairly neutral character of the Sidon, you can either go with a Medium body coffee roast or a light one to balance the zing in your mouth and complement the cedary taste. I preferably would go with the Nespresso Cosi, at intensity level 3, it balances out the ammonia taste and woody notes with its citrusy fresh aroma. Enjoy! 2
alawadi9 Posted January 16, 2014 Author Posted January 16, 2014 sorry for the bad formatting... need to redo it :/
Profmd Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 Review, story, pictures......Love it!! Great job!!
Hiroshiro Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 I NEED a BOX LOL. ...or 2.... who knows LOL
Habanos2000 Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 Great review, thanks. The ammonia taste reminds me of reviews of the 2009 Celestiales Finos RE of which quite a few mentioned tasting. Curious if the RA blend likes to include that flavor in its profile, intentional or not?
alawadi9 Posted January 16, 2014 Author Posted January 16, 2014 Review, story, pictures......Love it!! Great job!! Thanks... much appreciate it
alawadi9 Posted January 16, 2014 Author Posted January 16, 2014 Great review, thanks. The ammonia taste reminds me of reviews of the 2009 Celestiales Finos RE of which quite a few mentioned tasting. Curious if the RA blend likes to include that flavor in its profile, intentional or not? Interesting observation, but since the ammonia taste is naturally absorbed by the leaf it requires a minimum of a year for it to disseminate or mellow out and becomes unnoticeable while smoking. I have personally experienced this in many fresh RA cigars as well as other marca... they seem to follow the same suite... coincidence or intentional? mmmm
Carpenter69 Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 Damn. I'm jealous. America is great, but you european's get the awesome cigars first hand. I'll trade 1 slightly used president with some minor learning and listening disabilities for a box of these. Any takers, LMK. Lol 1
almudawi Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 Look what the cat dragged in. Welcome bro. It's about time you became active. And a hell of review to start things with. Need to pop into Lebanon to pick some Leb REs but the political and security situation is making this difficult for me.
CaptainQuintero Posted January 17, 2014 Posted January 17, 2014 Very nice review thanks! Your distributors sure do love Ramon Allones!
Jeremy Festa Posted January 17, 2014 Posted January 17, 2014 Sweet review. Love the little bit of history too! Cheers 1
alawadi9 Posted January 17, 2014 Author Posted January 17, 2014 Damn. I'm jealous. America is great, but you european's get the awesome cigars first hand. I'll trade 1 slightly used president with some minor learning and listening disabilities for a box of these. Any takers, LMK. Lol Lol if we are talking about a Republican president then the trade is not fair... throw in the vp then you might get a deal
alawadi9 Posted January 17, 2014 Author Posted January 17, 2014 Look what the cat dragged in. Welcome bro. It's about time you became active. And a hell of review to start things with. Need to pop into Lebanon to pick some Leb REs but the political and security situation is making this difficult for me. Thanks buddy... I know its about time right? About lebanon. . Its always the the same situation but its safe for a same day return... totally worth the trip for some cigar haul
Bartolomeo Posted January 17, 2014 Posted January 17, 2014 Great review, RA RE from Middle East never disappoint Bart 1
kittipong Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Really like your review, love all RA Lebanon as well. 1
maverickdrinker Posted January 29, 2014 Posted January 29, 2014 Are these available at the Dubai airport duty free?
Carpenter69 Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 Prayers answered. I managed to get a 5er of these. Unfortunately, I'm gonna wait until spring to smoke them.
finecigar Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Great review. Would love to get a box of these... Lebanon REs seem to be stellar from the couple handfuls I've smoked. 1
Pedro2486 Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Hi mate, great review. Very professional. Looks like it'll be a cracker of a smoke after a little rest. I think Australia should start getting their own RE. One chosen by the voting consumer from amongst all the REs released each year!!!! Viva la revolution 1
alawadi9 Posted February 9, 2014 Author Posted February 9, 2014 Are these available at the Dubai airport duty free? Probably not yet...will keep an eye out though
alawadi9 Posted February 9, 2014 Author Posted February 9, 2014 Prayers answered. I managed to get a 5er of these. Unfortunately, I'm gonna wait until spring to smoke them. Good call... smoke one this spring to experience it but would definitly suggest you keep the rest for another 3 seasons
alawadi9 Posted February 9, 2014 Author Posted February 9, 2014 Hi mate, great review. Very professional. Looks like it'll be a cracker of a smoke after a little rest. I think Australia should start getting their own RE. One chosen by the voting consumer from amongst all the REs released each year!!!! Viva la revolution I know right? does Australia fall under Asia Pacific or you guys have a sole importer... either way I would love to see AUS regional
MrT Posted February 10, 2014 Posted February 10, 2014 Very nice pics, that cigar look so delicious. 1
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