RASS Sitting Time

[Dougthesnail]

I have an APR 16 box of RASS from our lovely host purchased last August. Should I let these sit for a while longer or is it within the window to start smoking?

[HoyoFan]

Fire it up. It's been a year. If they're not ready put em back in and try again in 6 months

[Knilas]

My experience they need a generous amount of time. If you want something to smoke ROTT... Go with the rascc.

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[Philc2001]

32 minutes ago, Dougthesnail said:

I have an APR 16 box of RASS from our lovely host purchased last August. Should I let these sit for a while longer or is it within the window to start smoking?

I'm no expert on RASS, but this is a very subjective thing for most people. There are some that like the bold and somewhat wild taste of young cigars, others that prefer the more settled taste of aged cigars. It's all a matter of preference so the best thing to do is try one, if it tastes great, smoke some more. If didn't taste so good, let them rest longer. I honestly can't decide on these things myself, though I generally prefer the aged cigars, there are some I prefer young and wild and I never know which ones are going to surprise me.

[FrankJerseyCigars]

I would say if you like full flavor/peppery/earthy goodness then the RASS is one of the best cigars to smoke after just a year or so. Few smoke as well as it does when young in my experience. Will it improve with more time down? I'd have to +1 Philc there, it's too subjective to tell. A blanket "yes it will improve" doesn't do the RASS justice when it comes to age, because it might get worse if you're wanting more of that young flavor profile.

[Jimmy_jack]

I have a dress box with a date close to that LAU May 16. Had one upon arrival and did not get that great cigar that everyone talks about. Had one last week. Absolutely a different smoke. Very enjoyable, now I'm waiting for a 50 cab to show up. 

Fire one up.

[Jimmy_jack]

Forgot, I would dry box a day or two. 

[Guest Nekhyludov]

I have a dress box from ETP FEB 16. Smoked one last week to check in on it and - all the usual caveats about palate and preference acknowledged - it was still to rough for my taste. I'll try 'em again in 6 months or so. 

[chris12381]

I'm a RASShole. If you got in August, it's been resting plenty. I would agree with Jimmy_jack that a few days out of the humidor if would do it good. Fire one up. I'm testing ULA FEB 14 and an ECA MAR 13 cabs right now and they're incredible.

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[JohnS]

7 hours ago, Knilas said:

My experience they need a generous amount of time. If you want something to smoke ROTT... Go with the rascc.

This is my preference too, despite the fact that I have smoked other Ramon Allones vitolas much more than these two! 

[SloppyJ]

I have an ETP cab with a date of March 2016 that I bought with the intent of aging. I just so happened to smoke my first one from it last weekend. It was very good but I'm going to give it a few more months until I try another sample from this cab. If that were the only cigar I had, I would smoke them all. I don't mind a little "bite" in my cigar. I bought these to age and experience how they change over time so I could answer your question subjectively based on my tastes (since I too have had that same question). You're going to have to smoke them and find out.

[foursite12]

My experience with RASS has been that it is very unpredictable as it moves down the timeline.  They seem to bloom here and there and then go bitter a few months later, only to awaken again. When they're on, they are unbeatable; when they're off, eminently forgettable-or worse.

[GrouchoMarx]

I have about 10 '15s (and a cab of 16s - untouched) - the 15's are smoking great right now. But I defer to the standard logic I've seen here "try one and see".

I will say that age generally improves these cadets.

[tengel78]

I just had one from my JUL 16 cab and it was tasting good.  From all of the other responses, it sound like you should dig in and see how they taste. 

[creamypies]

My experience with RASS has been that it is very unpredictable as it moves down the timeline.  They seem to bloom here and there and then go bitter a few months later, only to awaken again. When they're on, they are unbeatable; when they're off, eminently forgettable-or worse.

these are eminently worse. Were terrible young and will be terrible old. Reinforcing the notion that only good cigars get better with proper age!



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[earthson]

2+ years is my rule of thumb

[Jnewt64]

4 hours ago, creamypies said:

these are eminently worse. Were terrible young and will be terrible old. Reinforcing the notion that only good cigars get better with proper age!

I personally have had zero luck across all marca with the RAE code, RA, RyJ, and Partagas have been very poor in the flavor department.

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[Dougthesnail]

They definitely need a bit more time. Overall some classic RASS flavours; gingerbread, dates, fresh black pepper, earthiness and a hint of coffee, however a little strong in the earthiness and pepper department, I'd say 3 months minimum to help them mellow.

[Jimmy_jack]

I have a box of SOM March 16 PSD4. Had one today in the hopes that it has improved. Well, the needle didn't move much if at all. So back in the rear of the wineador they go. I hope they will improve. Who knows.

[godpheonix]

i smoked a couple of 2008 RASS last year and honestly i think they needed more time! don't get me wrong though they were still lovely smokes but could use more down time for the fruity tones to come out more. so check on them yearly by smoking one and when it hit's your palate just right for you....dig in!

[joeypots]

We all have to learn what we like in a cigar. It can take time and cost money. I am  sure there are people who like fresh RASS  and others who won't crack the cab/box until there is 5 years of box age. Don't confuse young cigars with wet cigars and have at it. Learn what you like and enjoy the journey. That said, I'd go for young PSD#4 and HDM EPI #2 before I'd  go for young RASS. But that's just me.