EAR: "Have any of ‘em ever gotten caught out with a bad batch?"

[El Presidente]

EAR =  Email Assistance Required 

 

"I could just grin and bear it, but I just can’t. I’ve dropped close to $600 on these Specially Selected, and I figured I’d be getting a whole lot more for that kind of cash. I would've gone through FOH, but I only found out about y’all a month ago. You know the story, right? These came all the way from Spain, and the vendor’s been mostly solid, with just one big slip-up a few years back that he finally owned up to.

These could be good, but good grief—they taste like garbage, and I’ve gone through six of ‘em already. Why in the world is this so tough? How do y’all’s members deal with all the questionable quality control, the inconsistencies, and the endless sea of shady sellers? Your contributors sure seem like they know their stuff. Have any of ‘em ever gotten caught out with a bad batch?"

 

[Wookie]

I have RASS from 2014 to 2024. Probably 25 boxes and cabs. Swiss retailers until I found FOH. Never had a bad stick flavor-wise.  Occasional tight roll from dress boxes.  Amazingly consistent cigar for me. My go-to stick. I never dealt with Spanish retailers. I’m sure El Prez knows all the “kooks” out there. 

[MagicalBikeRide]

Similar to above, I’ve been really fortunate and never had a dud box of RASS (say across 10+ boxes in the last decade). I buy from four vendors max and only one is online.👍

[riderpride]

RASS is one I've never 'gotten'. I tried from multiple boxes/years and even mixed up my beverage and pre-smoke meals to see if my palate needed some help.

If you've tried the above and trust your vendor, they may not be for you. It's just part of the journey. 

Cheers!

[Chibearsv]

I’ve certainly purchased both fakes and crappier cigars. Part of the learning curve and part of the fun when you find the good ones, both in vendors and cigars. I’ve had RASS that I hated, tried 3 or 4 in the first year that all tasted like black pepper and molasses, then put them away for 4 years, tried another and it was like a different box entirely, delicious, they’re all gone now. I think it’s a game of patience, learning, and a big budget. 

[Havanaaddict]

RASS it is one of my favorite cigars and the fact that they still come in 50 cabs rocks my world! I have stuck to mostly buying 50 cabs - the darker the better. I have only ran into one 50 cabs in 20 years that had really light wrappers and tasted flat for probably five years. They finally came around but still never had the rich stewed fruit that they get in 5 to 10 years of age. They can be a acquired taste, leaning to the stronger heavier profile.

[unaslob]

Had my first RA this weekend in down form of RA Small Club Corona - absolutely loved it. Some real PSD4 vibes but a bit bolder. Fuller. Inspired, I picked up a box of RASS today from 24:24.  

[MickVanWinkle]

When traveling, I typically gravitate to shops and lounges where I pay a premium. In those situations I typically inspect the cigars to minimize risk. At lounges, I’ll offer up an opinion to the sommelier and typically we work through it. Otherwise, I’m selective with vendors. They take upon themselves risk in guarantee my delivery makes it to me. I match that with quality risk. This relationship thrives on mutual respect and balance of risk. Sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you.

I did once get a horrid batch of RASS - powered through half a box before I had the good sense to set them aside. Damn near turned me off them completely even with a few boxes resting. Had to dip into a few of (my own rated PSP) to turn it around.  

[rascalmonkey]

Yeah you are right = with these new prices the occasional bad box thing ain't so funny anymore!

[BrightonCorgi]

The most reassuring answer is "revisit them in 4-5 years".

[Li Bai]

4 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

The most reassuring answer is "revisit them in 4-5 years".

Hear, hear! How long did he let them rest? Did he check his storage conditions? 6 duds in a row is something I've never experienced with the RASS but anything is possible with CCs...

[JY0]

Trusted vendor? I do not recall ever having a bad one, in 20+ years. It' one of the most consistent cigars for me, I've had a few draw issues over the years but that's it.

[gormag38]

6 hours ago, Li Bai said:

Hear, hear! How long did he let them rest? Did he check his storage conditions?

I wonder if this is a case where a bit too high %rh is influencing the sticks and giving them a 'bad' taste. With that being said, I also am not a RASS fan. So it could be that the stick just isn't his jam. 

[bmac]

RASS depends all on the wrapper for me. Very pedestrian ho hum cigar unless the wrappers are dark and oily. I have only had good luck with 50 cabs. Never the dress box.🙃

[Lucas Buck]

Smoked a lot of RASS from fresh to 20 years old. Never had one that was even remotely enjoyable. I guess they just aren’t for me. 

[SCgarman]

He is likely experiencing buyers remorse, due to the fact boxes of RASS have tripled in price within the last five years, and quality/construction continues to suffer which many find insulting for the price. I had one box of RASS out of many MUR 14 I believe, and the dark, thick wrappers were virtually fire proof and when they did burn the cigar tasted like burnt ash. All the other boxes have been really good but there are those who simply don't enjoy the profile of this cigar. The thought of throwing them in the back of the humi for 5 years to (improve) is not realistic either. I was smoking 08, 09 boxes that were fantastic with less than a year of box age.

[Vortigan]

I bought a box of atrociously pallid looking RASS out of Gibraltar Airport back in 2011 and they're performance has lived up to their image. I should have walked away but I had decided before the outgoing trip that I was picking up a box of cigars on the way back, the store refused to open up any further boxes...and I was weak! I keep them around in the (likely forlorn) hope that one day I'll reach for another one and somehow X number of years will have produced a miracle but other than that, another lesson chalked up to experience.

[joeypots]

RASS don’t suit me until they have at least five years on them. And they have to be kept properly and not smoked too wet, ie, at a RH over 62%. Your experience may be different and that’s OK.