Ramon Allones Belicoso SVFMAY05

[greenpimp]

Aroma at cold is of pungent tobacco, hint of dank earth. Pleasing, heavy, well made belicoso. Medium colorado with small veins.

Cool but pleasant night, light sea breeze, lots of bright stars. Walking my pug Louie that occasionally snorts tonight like those pink toothy demons from Doom. Always looking for truffles and the perfect place to crap.

First puffs smooth, light, but full of exotic woods and dried fruit, perhaps some orange peel. Very rich, perfect draw, good smoke volume. First third medium power, full flavor. Quite woody and nutty, almost peanut quality. And salty. Very interesting and complex already.

Second third, Nuttiness and woodiness predominantly. More of the traditional RA profile creeps in, but still has a lighter finish and more wood. Hard candy. Earth and chocolate begin to show up.

Final third profile intensifies. Some nougat texture elements. Light chocolate and clean finish. Purged and the cigar erupted, full bodied with roasted coffee bean and darker chocolate, still with the backbone of wood. Almost austere. Saltiness returns.

At the end the monster in the cigar rattles the cages a little bit, much to my appreciation. I enjoy the beast in the RA. Medium full power and bodied. Lots of smoke and concentrated flavor. Still a luscious mouthfeel without any bitterness. Ends smoothly, turns lighter again at the very finish.

All in all a lovely smoke, a bit lighter than I was anticipating. But unique and enjoyable and I look forward to what they continue to become. Would give it a 90 if pressed. Special thanks to Shrink for the recommendation on this smoke.

[Claudius]

Very nice review, thanks!

I agree the RAB should have a bit more strength, but it is very very good nonetheless.

[shrink]

Viva Pugs... the world's only living gargoyles!

Exceptionally descriptive and accurate review, Matt.

Ah, great minds are in synchony today. I fired up my RA Belicoso around 3:00 this afternoon, on the deck with a big mug of dry processed Ethiopian Belayo. A nice 'global warming' day up here, a mile into the sky.

I agree with your conclusion that the RAB isn't a strong cigar. It's a complex, finesse smoke, but with plenty of the right stuff to keep you interested, eh? When I want raw spice and power in an RA, these days I go right for an '07 RASS or RASCC. In the mood for ultra-smooth and sophisticated? You won't do any better than the RA Estupendo RE. And for a real classy classic, there's always an '02 RA 898. Oh, and let's not forget the Gigantes.

As you might surmise, I love the marca!

Ah, a dog's life... looking for truffles and the perfect place to crap!

[Mike33]

» Ah, great minds are in synchony today.

Lol! I had my first one today as well. Don't know the code as it was a single gifted by a member on another board, but I was very impressed. Medium-bodied, spicy, and rich. It had a very long-finish with a sweetness that lingered towards the end.

Only real downside was the lack of punch and it was still somewhat tannic. Overall though, I'd give it a 92.

[El Presidente]

» » Ah, great minds are in synchony today.

»

» Lol! I had my first one today as well. Don't know the code as it was a

» single gifted by a member on another board, but I was very impressed.

» Medium-bodied, spicy, and rich. It had a very long-finish with a

» sweetness that lingered towards the end.

»

» Only real downside was the lack of punch and it was still somewhat tannic.

» Overall though, I'd give it a 92.

Great review Matt

Mike (unless I am wrong) is the only person who has noted a Tannic undercurrent. I wonder if this will transfer to increased body down the track. Love the reference to complexity in such a young cigar.

[Colt45]

Very nice review - thanks for posting it.

I understand this is / was a U.K. only release, but it seems it was produced in '04 and '05. Was it

technically part of the RE series? Is it still in production? Has there been any more on world wide distribution?

[Quint]

Great review thanks. Sounds like a wonderful morning smoke with a cup of Joe. Will have to consider adding to my meek collection.

[trumpetchris]

» Very nice review - thanks for posting it.

»

» I understand this is / was a U.K. only release, but it seems it was

» produced in '04 and '05. Was it

» technically part of the RE series? Is it still in production? Has there

» been any more on world wide distribution?

I had one in London last week. It was fantastic. I didn't know it was a regional until I got home and tried to find a box!

Now I will pine for the fiords, or at least the RABF!

[Stalebread]

» Very nice review - thanks for posting it.

»

» I understand this is / was a U.K. only release, but it seems it was

» produced in '04 and '05. Was it

» technically part of the RE series? Is it still in production? Has there

» been any more on world wide distribution?

I have a few singles that are '04 and a box from '05. It seems to me that they were a regional release before regional releases got that title, the secondary band and became the next big thing. But I'm not at all sure about that. I also read something (maybe on this board, maybe on another) about them being the French Regional in '08. Now, if true, that would be interesting -- being able to compare the two.

[Claudius]

» I also read something (maybe on this board, maybe on another)

» about them being the French Regional in '08. Now, if true, that would be

» interesting -- being able to compare the two.

You read it here. I posted that France will get a campana in the RA marca this year as an ER. I questioned this move as the UK's just had (ok, in 2005) a RA campana. Rob seemed surprised by the move...

[Mr.T]

Thanks for the great review...I've got a box with the same code, but have yet to try one. You have definitely peaked my curiosity so I will have to mosy on over to the humidor

As Stalebread correctly pointed out these were one of the first regional releases to be distributed before regional releases (UK) were given bands and all the craze hit. I have not heard whether they will be re-released in the UK or not, but if we have not heard yet and with all the new ones coming out..I can't imagine they will have the time or resources to do it, but then again with all the cigars on the choping block, maybe they do

I can't believe how many REs they plan on releasing next year!

[Colt45]

Thanks guys - I'd totally forgotten the Especial de Allones (obviously).

[craigos]

» Thanks guys - I'd totally forgotten the Especial de Allones (obviously).

I got into cigars too late (mid 06) and havent seen a RA belicoso ... anyone open to a trade of a few singles ...