Blind Cigar Review: Ramon Allones | by AJ Fernandez Toro

Cigar Info

In 2018, AJ Fernandez took over the Ramon Allones brand, which had previously been owned by General Cigar Co. The brand had previously been a part of the Foundry line of General with some cool retro packaging but sales did not support it, so it was then discontinued.

The blend Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez uses an Ecuadorian habano oscuro wrapper, Nicaraguan corojo 99 binder, and Nicaraguan corojo 99 from Jalapa, criollo 98 from Condega, Pueblo Nuevo and a hybrid leaf grown in Estelí for filler. It comes in four sizes: Robusto 5 1/2 x 50, Toro 6 x 52, Churchill 7 x 50, and Torpedo 6 1/2 x 54.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan corojo 99
Filler: Nicaraguan corojo 99 from Jalapa, criollo 98 from Condega, Pueblo Nuevom, hybrid leaf grown in Estelí
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: AJ Fernandez
Number of reviewers: 4 – Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi) Isaac M. (The Nothing) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Jake P. (Jake P.)
Price: $13.00
Age:6 Months
Release Date: June 2018
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 94

“The wrapper showed a bit of tooth and minimal veins. The seams were visible but tight.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Aroma: 91

“The primary aroma is a sharply composed tobacco that is full of sweetness and is otherwise clean.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“From the moment I light this cigar there is a strong cocoa note and rich, dark roasted, coffee. It’s the driving force of the entire third. About a quarter of an inch in I push some smoke through my nose. WOW, what a pop! Pepper forward with lingering cinnamon essence wake you up. The finish was long and flavorful throughout the third.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“Lighting up the cigar, immediately there was a good amount of flavor. It was fuel-like, kerosene or diesel, which may sound bad, but it came across delightfully. There was a slight floral quality that reminded me of hyacinth. The air and palate has me thinking of fire-cured tobaccos.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Second Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The second third continued much of the similar flavors of diesel or kerosene but added a bit of black pepper instead of the floral quality that was in the background before. The retrohale brought on more of an oak flavor which was nondescript prior.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

“Roasted flavors dimmed into more earth notes with a root flavor running the show.” –Jake P. (Jake P.)

Final Third

Flavor: 95
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The final portion of this cigar has continued to be excellent as the property faded into toasted oak. Through the nose, the spice has intensified along with the strength overall. A real journey!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“The cedar slowly builds throughout this final third. The coffee and cocoa notes are still there but are slightly washed out when compared to the cedar. The retrohale is pure coffee now and keeps making the finish richer and richer. Definitely, the best that the cigar has to offer. As I reach the last inch I don’t want this smoking experience to end. What a great cigar.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 96

“I just may have a new standard to measure cigars by! This cigar has a draw that was simply perfect for me. Slight restriction but voluminous clouds of flavorful smoke. Wonderful!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Burn: 97

“From start to finish this cigar showed a flawless burn and the ash stacked up beautifully.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

Construction: 97

“Perfectly rolled with quality filler made this a joy to smoke. I was into this cigar from start to finish. The only bad thing I could say about it was the burn rate on the tobacco was unequal. The center part of filler burned at a slower rate.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 94

“This was a wonderful cigar to smoke. It checked all the boxes for me. The great flavor, wonderful construction, and near-perfect burn made this a hit for me. If you are a fan of a deep, dark, and rich flavor profile this is the cigar for you. I want some for my humidor and you should too.” –Estevan Z. (TheRealBanzi)

“What a great experience this cigar provided. The flavor profile held a specific fuel flavor from start to finish that still haunts my palate. The nuances came underneath that flavor from flowers to pepper, to cooking woods. I’m looking forward to giving this cigar another round, maybe next time with a pour of whiskey.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)

“What an excellent cigar! Three district flavor profiles and a nicely increasing strength have me wanting to buy these right now. This is as close to a perfect cigar as I’ve had in years…a real winner!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“Really enjoyed this cigar. Started with the pepper and settled down to more earth. A very good stronger cigar with some big flavor.” –Jake P. (Jake P.)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 79

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Ramon Allones | by AJ Fernandez Toro