Review: R Allones 'Phoenicia 35' ER Libano 15

[Tstew75]

It's not RA review weekend, but wanted to write this one while it's fresh. Truth be told I'm not a huge RA fan, I tend to find them a bit rustic for my tastes. The exception is RAS, which I like very much (blend seems more complex than RASS, IMO).

I've had quite a few of the RA ERs over the past 3 years & have liked a few- that said many seem vastly overpriced. The one that has always won me over is this Phoenicia 35. revisited today over some work at the lounge:

Size/fill: Montescos are a bit chunky at 55rg, but it feels fine in the hand. Perfectly filled with a smooth wrapper. Cold draw is dark & brooding

1st third: Started under med with subtle toasted grain, razor burn. Becoming darker in profile

2nd third: Moves dramatically into a med-full power phase ...picking up espresso, malt, barley, ancho chile powder. Touched up 2x

Final third: Power has subdued a tiny bit, but still quite a bit over medium. Lots of young tobacco notes here. Purged 2-3 times in last 1/2 to keep things clean. Malt, beautiful grain & coffee dominate. A distinct nectarine note here which is quite refreshing- its a mix of juicy with some cream. Final thing I can discern is a light anise note. The complexity in this cigar always surprises me...it's almost as if you can taste 4-5 different specific grains.

Final thoughts: Such a particular display of CC flavors. Unique, complex, powerful & decidedly RA . This is still quite young, I see this getting better over the next 5yrs & smoking well for another 15. Bloody great.

Cheers y'all.

 

[Sir Sooty]

Awesome, thanks for this. Gives me more willpower to wait. Reviews are hard to come by!  My plan is to crack the box at the 5 year mark and ration 1 per year...

[Tstew75]

On 3/23/2020 at 11:45 PM, Sir Sooty said:

Awesome, thanks for this. Gives me more willpower to wait. Reviews are hard to come by!  My plan is to crack the box at the 5 year mark and ration 1 per year...

Solid plan, they are pretty damn young! I think these will age for a long time...

[cigcars]

   *I got to enjoy this cigar some years back thanks to better availability. Ramon Allones is my favorite Cuban cigar next to Bolivar, Cohiba, et. al. 

[cigcars]

20 hours ago, cigcars said:

   *I got to enjoy this cigar some years back thanks to better availability. Ramon Allones is my favorite Cuban cigar next to Bolivar, Cohiba, et. al. 

    * I'm afraid I broke off suddenly without a proper ending to my statement because my sister-like best friend called to tell me that the other member of our trio just passed away. I'm not concentrating or able to articulate very well right now. We've all been best friends for over 40 years. *Thank you for the "Like", Sir Sooty.

[Sir Sooty]

On 3/25/2020 at 4:07 AM, cigcars said:

    * I'm afraid I broke off suddenly without a proper ending to my statement because my sister-like best friend called to tell me that the other member of our trio just passed away. I'm not concentrating or able to articulate very well right now. We've all been best friends for over 40 years. *Thank you for the "Like", Sir Sooty.

Just got this post, sorry! My first time logging in in a while. Sorry for your loss brother. I’ve actually come online for the same reason, one of my BOTLs that I know on FoH passed recently so here to read his old posts and remember him by. 

[cigcars]

12 hours ago, Sir Sooty said:

Just got this post, sorry! My first time logging in in a while. Sorry for your loss brother. I’ve actually come online for the same reason, one of my BOTLs that I know on FoH passed recently so here to read his old posts and remember him by. 

           *Thank you - although I'm a girl - not a guy!

 

[Sir Sooty]

Sorry, SOTL ? Duly noted! ??