Description
The Cuban Giant That Changed My Mind About Ramon Allones
I’ll be honest with you – I used to overlook Ramon Allones. Yeah, I said it. For years, I was all about Partagás for that full-bodied punch, and Ramon Allones just seemed like the forgotten cousin at family gatherings. Then I smoked a Gigantes at a friend’s wedding in Miami back in 2017, and it completely recalibrated my understanding of what this marca could do. This wasn’t just another big ring gauge cigar trying to compensate for lack of character – this was something entirely different. The Gigantes sits in that sweet spot between approachable complexity and genuine Cuban pedigree that makes it dangerous for your humidor budget. Once you understand what this vitola brings to the table, you’ll find yourself reaching for it more often than you’d expect.
What Makes the Gigantes Stand Out in the Ramon Allones Portfolio
Ramon Allones has been around since 1837 – one of the oldest brands still in production. The thing is, they’ve always lived in the shadow of flashier marcas. But that’s actually worked in their favor. While other brands got hyped up and sometimes couldn’t deliver, Ramon Allones just kept doing their thing: producing consistently excellent, medium-to-full bodied cigars with that distinctive earthy character.
The Gigantes represents something special in their lineup. At 7 1/2 inches with a 49 ring gauge, it’s a Double Corona that gives you time – real time – to experience how these tobaccos evolve. This isn’t a cigar you light up during a quick break. This is what you reach for when you’ve got two hours on a Saturday afternoon, maybe some good company, and you want to actually pay attention to what you’re smoking. The wrapper is that classic Cuban leaf from Vuelta Abajo, and when it’s properly aged – oh man – it develops this oily sheen that tells you everything’s right before you even cut it. This cigar is built for the smoker who appreciates subtlety but still wants enough strength to know they’re smoking a proper Cuban puro.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Gigantes (Double Corona) |
| Length | 7 1/2 inches / 194 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 49 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 120-150 minutes |
The Journey From First Light to Final Draw
Right off the cold draw, you get this preview of leather and earth – not aggressive, just present. It’s like walking into a proper tobacconist, that rich smell of aged tobacco mixed with wood. Once you toast the foot and get it going, the first third opens with a creamy smoke that surprised me the first time. I was expecting Ramon Allones to come out swinging with earth and spice, but the Gigantes plays it smarter than that.
That initial creaminess carries notes of cedar and a subtle sweetness – almost like raw honey, but not in a sticky way. The wrapper is doing serious work here. There’s this smooth leather undertone that reminds me of my favorite reading chair, if that makes sense. The burn is typically excellent, and you’ll notice the ash holds for a solid inch before dropping. That’s construction quality right there. I’ve smoked maybe fifteen or twenty of these over the years, and the consistency is impressive – something that can’t always be said for Cuban cigars these days, no matter what the romantics tell you.
The second third is where things get interesting. The smoke thickens up, and that earth note I was waiting for finally shows up to the party. But it’s not overpowering – it weaves in with the leather and adds this richness that makes you slow down your pufing. Actually, scratch that – you HAVE to slow down with this cigar. If you rush it, you’ll get heat and lose all that nuance. Around the midpoint, I start picking up black pepper on the retrohale, not aggressive spice, just enough to remind you this is a Cuban puro with some backbone. The strength builds from medium to solidly medium-full here, which is perfect for my preference. Full-bodied cigars are great, but sometimes you want something you can actually finish without needing a nap afterward.
The final third brings everything together. The earth and leather are still there, but now there’s this cocoa note that emerges – dark chocolate, not milk chocolate. Some coffee too, but more like espresso than a latte. The strength peaks here but never crosses into uncomfortable territory. The smoke stays smooth and creamy right until you’re burning your fingers trying to squeeze out that last half inch. That’s how you know you’ve got a winner – when you’re genuinely sad to put it down.
How the Gigantes Stacks Up Against Similar Vitolas
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramon Allones Gigantes | Medium-Full | 120-150 minutes | Afternoon relaxation, complex flavors without overwhelming strength |
| Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona | Medium | 110-130 minutes | Milder alternative, morning or early afternoon smoke |
| Partagás Lusitania | Full | 120-140 minutes | Experienced smokers wanting more power and intensity |
What’s interesting here – and I know some guys will disagree with me on this – is that the Gigantes offers better complexity than the Hoyo Double Corona while being more approachable than the Partagás Lusitania. If the Lusitania is a heavyweight boxer, the Gigantes is more like a skilled middleweight. Not lacking in power, just more refined in how it delivers.
What to Drink With This Cuban Classic
Pairing this cigar is actually easier than you’d think. My go-to is a good aged rum – specifically something like Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or Ron Zacapa 23. The sweetness in the rum plays beautifully with that honey note in the first third, and as the cigar develops more earth and spice, the rum’s complexity keeps pace. If you’re a whiskey person – and I usually am – try a smooth bourbon. Something like Maker’s Mark or Woodford Reserve works perfectly. Skip the heavy, peaty Scotches though; they’ll bulldoze right over the more subtle flavors.
Coffee works too, especially a good Cuban coffee if you can get your hands on it. The bitter notes complement the cocoa in the final third surprisingly well. As for occasions? This is my Saturday afternoon cigar. Not formal enough that you need a special event, but too substantial for a quick weekday smoke. Late afternoon into early evening, maybe 4 or 5 PM, when you’ve got nowhere to be and nothing to prove. That’s Gigantes time.
How much aging do Ramon Allones Gigantes need?
Honestly? They’re pretty good right out of the box if they’re properly humidified, but give them six months to a year in your humidor and they transform completely. That creaminess becomes more pronounced, and the flavors integrate better. I’ve got some from 2019 that are smoking like absolute dreams right now. If you’ve got the patience, buy a box and forget about it for a year – you won’t regret it.
What’s the ideal ring gauge for someone new to large cigars?
The 49 ring gauge on the Gigantes is actually perfect for transitioning to bigger vitolas. It’s not so thick that it feels like you’re trying to smoke a baseball bat, but it’s substantial enough to give you that classic Double Corona experience. The length is more intimidating than the ring gauge, to be honest. Just pace yourself and you’ll be fine.
Are Ramon Allones Gigantes still being produced regularly?
Yeah, they’re still in regular production, though availability can be spotty depending on where you are. They’re not as heavily allocated as some other marcas, which means you can actually find them without selling a kidney. That’s one of the things I appreciate about Ramon Allones – they’re still somewhat under the radar, so boxes don’t disappear the moment they hit shelves.
How does the strength compare to other Ramon Allones vitolas?
The Gigantes sits right in the middle of the Ramon Allones strength range. It’s fuller than the Small Club Coronas but not as aggressive as a fresh Specially Selected. The larger ring gauge and longer length give the blend more room to develop complexity without ramping up the nicotine content too much. I’d say it’s approachable for intermediate smokers but still satisfying for veterans.
What humidity level works best for storing these?
I keep mine around 65% relative humidity, maybe 66% in the winter when my house gets drier. Some guys swear by 62%, and that’s fine too – really comes down to personal preference. What I will say is don’t go above 70% with these. The wrapper is delicate enough that too much moisture can cause burn issues, and you’ll lose some of that leather character in the smoke. Find that sweet spot between 63-67% and you’re golden.
Can I smoke this cigar if I usually prefer medium-bodied cigars?
Absolutely, but timing matters. Don’t make this your first cigar of the day on an empty stomach – that’s asking for trouble. Have it after lunch or in the late afternoon, and you’ll be fine. The strength builds gradually enough that you’re not going to get blindsided. Just pay attention to how you’re feeling and keep something sweet to drink nearby if you start feeling lightheaded. That said, this is a great cigar for pushing your boundaries a bit.
What makes Cuban wrapper leaf different in the Gigantes?
Cuban wrapper, especially from Vuelta Abajo, has this unique quality that’s hard to describe until you’ve experienced it. It’s silkier than most other tobacco, with this natural oil content that catches light differently. On the Gigantes specifically, that wrapper contributes a lot of the leather and subtle spice notes that make the cigar distinctive. It’s also more fragile than, say, a thick Maduro wrapper, which is why proper humidor maintenance matters so much with these cigars.
Final Thoughts on This Underrated Giant
The Ramon Allones Gigantes doesn’t try to be the loudest cigar in your humidor, and that’s exactly why it deserves a spot there. It’s refined without being boring, full-flavored without being overwhelming, and long enough to turn smoking it into an actual experience rather than just a habit. If you’ve been sleeping on Ramon Allones like I was for too many years, the Gigantes is your wake-up call. Grab a few, let them rest in your humidor for a few months if you can manage the patience, and then set aside a proper chunk of time to smoke one when you can actually pay attention. This isn’t background noise – it’s the main event. And once you dial in how it smokes, I’d bet money you’ll be coming back for a full box.
