Allones Gigantes

[Danimalia]

I was curious what folks think of recent production of Ramon Allones Gigantes? I'm in the market for a box of prominentes and these have piqued my interest.  I've heard they're similar is flavor to the RASCC which I love. Anyone have any thoughts?

 The fact that they share a name with my favorite baseball team doesn't hurt, and maybe I'll have one for opening day. 

[Guest Nekhyludov]

DCs are my favorite vitola; I love the depth and complexity they can produce,  and that they force me to take a break for a couple of hours. 

The last RAG I had was an ETP (?) FEB 16 I think. Compared to the RASS - which is the only other RA I smoke regularly - I find the Gigantes to be better young. They don't seem to have the harshness of the SS or to need 2 - 3 years down. The other side of that is that to me, they're more medium-bodied and don't quite develop the same depth. But the RA DNA is there, all stewed fruit and sorghum. 

But if I were looking for a single box of DCs, I would go with the Punch every time. 

[Danimalia]

14 minutes ago, Nekhyludov said:

DCs are my favorite vitola; I love the depth and complexity they can produce,  and that they force me to take a break for a couple of hours. 

The last RAG I had was an ETP (?) FEB 16 I think. Compared to the RASS - which is the only other RA I smoke regularly - I find the Gigantes to be better young. They don't seem to have the harshness of the SS or to need 2 - 3 years down. The other side of that is that to me, they're more medium-bodied and don't quite develop the same depth. But the RA DNA is there, all stewed fruit and sorghum. 

But if I were looking for a single box of DCs, I would go with the Punch every time. 

Thanks for the feedback! 

I've had the Punch DC and liked it a lot but it seems a bit harder to come by right now.  Is it also a cigar that smokes well young or does it need time?

[CrankYanker]

I have an aged RAG that I have not smoked yet.  I bought it from a guy in his aged selection.  I may need to smoke it soon just to see how it is.  It's a big cigar!

[ayepatz]

I also love a DC. SLR would be my first choice every time, if you could find them easily.

I am fortunate to have a box of RAG from EML SEP 14, which, if I remember correctly, is the same box code that Rob and Ken reviewed, and, probably no shock here, they’re bloomin’ marvellous!

 

[Danimalia]

11 minutes ago, CrankYanker said:

I have an aged RAG that I have not smoked yet.  I bought it from a guy in his aged selection.  I may need to smoke it soon just to see how it is.  It's a big cigar!

Yeah, the prominentes are super big, but in my experience, they tend to smoke a bit quicker than I expect them to. Like, they seem to last me 90-110 minutes or so. It's not too hard for me to find 2 hours to set aside.

13 minutes ago, ayepatz said:

I am fortunate to have a box of RAG from EML SEP 14, which, if I remember correctly, is the same box code that Rob and Ken reviewed, and, probably no shock here, they’re bloomin’ marvellous!

Nice!

[Guest Nekhyludov]

22 minutes ago, Danimalia said:

I've had the Punch DC and liked it a lot but it seems a bit harder to come by right now.  Is it also a cigar that smokes well young or does it need time?

Yeah, Punch DC availability is spotty. I usually notice them pop up in the fall. I think they're great young-ish. 1 year +.

[PapaDisco]

I love the RA Gigantes, but because I have so few (just a couple boxes) I've really been stretching them in my rotation.  I have a preference (flavor wise) for my Punch DC's and Lusi's, so I stock up on those, but the Gigantes are every bit their match just a different flavor profile.  Back in 2014 my 2013 POU's were smoking superbly ROTT and they've only managed to get better.  

[Danimalia]

3 hours ago, PapaDisco said:

I love the RA Gigantes, but because I have so few (just a couple boxes) I've really been stretching them in my rotation.  I have a preference (flavor wise) for my Punch DC's and Lusi's, so I stock up on those, but the Gigantes are every bit their match just a different flavor profile.  Back in 2014 my 2013 POU's were smoking superbly ROTT and they've only managed to get better.  

Yeah, I think I'm going to take the leap and buy a box. 

I like the Lusitanias, too, but they're available in 10 boxes, so I can usually snatch some up without much of a commitment.