RASS GEP NOV 04 (R&RRW)

[TR]

Dug to the back of the aristocrat and uncovered a dress box of RASS from 04. Paired with a glass of Cantera Negra Cafe on the rocks. V cut and lit with a single torch lighter. 
First 1/3:  typical Cuban twang with significant smoke volume. A bit of nuttiness with toasted almond flavor sweetness. 

Second 1/3:  a touch of dark chocolate flavor entered the sweet nutty flavor. Overall the flavors intensified. The coffee tequila was an excellent choice to pair with this cigar. The construction of the cigar is damn near perfect.

Final 1/3:  The darker flavors continue to build with a bit of cinnamon spice in addition to the dark chocolate and toasted almond flavor. The construction and draw are perfect. The palate has a bit of spice after exhale. Again, the coffee tequila was an excellent choice. 

4.5/5.0. One of my favorites. My only disappointment is that I didn’t buy more in 2004. Lucky for me that I have an untouched cab of 50 from 2007 from the good folks at Team Czar. PS, I really miss Patron XO Cafe tequila. 😉
 

[PuroDiario]

Thanks for sharing. I have never had a RASS with such age. The discipline is lacking on my end with them. Do you find notable differences starting when if you have that down?

[TR]

Age does help round out the flavors. I took Rob’s advice and aged stock myself. So I purchased the largest aristocrat humidor I could logically fit in my office and packed it full. With the RASS, age will smooth out the flavors. The spice is more subdued and complex. 7/8 of my humidor has 15+ years of age.

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[PuroDiario]

First of all, impressive humi! Congrats. On RASS I might go through 2-3 boxes a year but usually never older than 3-4 years old max. It’s been a workhorse for me for a while. I guess I need more storage capacity so I forget about a couple boxes haha. 
 

Cheers

[TR]

Losing stuff in the humidor is a specialty of mine. The top shelf in my humidor is all EL and Regionals. I had forgotten about most of them. I don’t like to smoke cigars without at least two years from the box code. Last international trip, I picked up some Upmann mag 54. Tried with less than a year and it reminded me that patience is rewarded. But everyone is different in their tastes.


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[BossHogg]

@TR Thanks for sharing. Great collection my friend! I will be sitting on some RASS as well. They are smoking great and can't wait to see how they progress.

[TR]

1 hour ago, BossHogg said:

@TR Thanks for sharing. Great collection my friend! I will be sitting on some RASS as well. They are smoking great and can't wait to see how they progress.

Good to see you! I was off the forums for a bit when my kids were busy each and every weekend and practices every damn day.


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[Chris P. Bacon]

I have a box from 2015 that I was going to put on BR. Now you’ve made that decision difficult. Thanks for the great review!

[TR]

I have a box from 2015 that I was going to put on BR. Now you’ve made that decision difficult. Thanks for the great review!

You do you. It is an amazing cigar with some age. But I understand the need to sell. If my kid hits an Ivy, there will be an epic sale.

[Bords]

On 10/31/2022 at 12:19 PM, TR said:

You do you. It is an amazing cigar with some age. But I understand the need to sell. If my kid hits an Ivy, there will be an epic sale.

Hate to break it to you but found out the hard way pretty much any private school is in the stratosphere now, not just the Ivys!


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[TR]

6 hours ago, Bords said:

Hate to break it to you but found out the hard way pretty much any private school is in the stratosphere now, not just the Ivys!

State school it is!