Cigars.ie

Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos - RE Asia Pacific

The Ramon Allones Celestiales Finos is one of the two cigars released in 2009 for the Asia Pacific region.  Its size, the britanica, is quite unusual and not seen in another Cuban cigar since the Romeo y Julieta Celestiales Finos was discontinued in 2002. Measuring 46 x 137, this figurado has been getting mixed reviews, most of them talking about it being a full bodied powerhouse and all agreeing that this cigar needs to age. The ones we will be smoking today with Ger have been in the humidor a couple of months now, so it is time to get a first impression on what this cigar smokes like.

Appearance & Construction 13/15

The shape of the cigar is intriguing, and in addition to its rustic look, its giving you the thought that you are holding a cigar from the 60’s. The wrapper is light brown in colour with a gold hue, veiny and toothy, but very oily at the same time. The bunch is solid in all the length of the cigar and the prelight draw is tight. Mild aromas of earth and wood are present on the foot of the cigar.

Flavour & Body 19/25

On the first draw the cigar presents an unusual cardboard flavour with hints of wood. The body is medium at start, getting fuller as you progress through the first third. A slight acidic finish starts appearing on the beginning of the second third, a sign that this cigar needs to age. The flavours remain more or less the same, with the cardboard flavour being replaced by wood, closely followed by earth and charcoal. On the last third the ammonia dissapears, but the flavours change very little. An espresso bitterness also appears on the last inch. The body is fuller, but not just yet full bodied. At the very end, the cigar gets very hot, but not harsh.

Draw & Burn 21/25 The cigar’s unusual shape makes lighting a challenge. After an uneven start, the cigar corrects itself to a nice and even burn. It starts with a tight draw, delivering a decent amount of smoke with a long finish. The ash is grey with a brown hue, solid, not reaching more than 3/4″ before it falls off, revealing a pyramid shaped coal. A nasty residue of tar builds up on the head of the cigar in droplets. Wiping it with your thumb leaves you with an ugly brown mark! The draw opens up in the beginning of the last third, with oodles of thick smoke being delivered. The cigar burn quick but even until the very end and it does not go out at any stage.

Overall 30/35

I was expecting more from the Celestiales Finos, after hearing all the reviews about its strength. Although it had a good body, it was not the powerhouse that it was described as. The flavours were unusual for the brand and while they were deep and balanced, there was lack of complexity. I could even say that I found the cigar one dimensional. It does however show tremendous aging potential, being one of the most oily cigars I have ever seen! Five years for a full cabinet of 25 and this cigar will be a gem. For the moment, just let it rest!

Total 83/100