Description
The Robusto That Started It All
I still remember the first time someone handed me a Ramon Allones Specially Selected. This was back in ’96, sitting in a dim lounge in Havana’s Vedado district – the kind of place where the walls were stained yellow from decades of smoke and the bartender knew exactly what you wanted before you asked. My buddy Jorge lit one up, took a few puffs, and slid the box across the table. “Try this,” he said. “This is what a real Cuban Robusto tastes like.” He wasn’t wrong. That night, I smoked three more. RASS, as we call it in the cigar world, has this reputation among serious aficionados as the benchmark – the measuring stick against which all other Robustos get judged. And honestly? After smoking these for nearly three decades, I still think that reputation is completely deserved.
What Makes RASS Different From Every Other Robusto
Ramon Allones as a brand goes back to 1837, making it one of the oldest cigar marques still in production. The Specially Selected vitola came later, but it captured something essential about what the marca stands for – bold, full-flavored Cuban tobacco that doesn’t apologize for being intense. This isn’t a morning cigar. This isn’t something you hand to a beginner. RASS is for the smoker who wants that classic Cuban punch, the one that reminds you exactly why people obsess over Habanos in the first place.
The wrapper comes from Vuelta Abajo – which if you know Cuban tobacco, you know that’s the gold standard. The binder and filler? Also Cuban, also from premium growing regions. The whole package is rolled at the Partagás factory, and you can taste that pedigree in every puff. What sets RASS apart isn’t just the tobacco though. It’s the balance. Somehow this cigar manages to be powerful without being harsh, complex without being confusing. That’s harder to achieve than it sounds – actually, scratch that – it’s damn near impossible, which is why most Robustos don’t come close.
This is the cigar for someone who’s moved past the novelty phase. You’ve tried the popular names, you’ve figured out what strength level you prefer, and now you want something with depth. RASS delivers on that. Every single time.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Robusto |
| Length | 4.9 inches / 124mm |
| Ring Gauge | 50 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban blend |
| Strength | Medium to Full |
| Smoking Time | 60-75 minutes |
What Actually Happens When You Smoke One
The cold draw gives you this preview of what’s coming – earthy, with a bit of spice that tingles the lips. Not overwhelming, just… present. Once you light it up, that first third comes at you with leather and earth. I’m talking rich, barnyard earth – the kind that smells like a tobacco field after rain. There’s cedar in there too, along with this underlying sweetness that keeps it from being one-dimensional. The smoke is thick, creamy even, and the burn line stays remarkably even if you’re not puffing like a freight train.
Second third is where RASS really shows off. The flavors layer up – you start getting coffee notes, dark roasted stuff, along with cocoa that’s more dark chocolate than milk chocolate. There’s still that spice from the first third, but it’s evolved into more of a white pepper situation. And the sweetness? It intensifies. Some cigars lose steam in the middle. RASS does the opposite. This is the section where I usually slow down, take my time, because rushing through this part feels like a crime. The construction stays solid – ash holds for an inch or more, draw remains perfect, and the smoke volume actually increases.
Final third gets bold. No way around it. The strength ramps up, the flavors concentrate, and you’re getting this intense combination of espresso, leather, and earth with occasional flashes of dried fruit. Raisins, maybe? Figs? Something in that family. The retrohale – oh man – through the nose you get this blast of pepper and tobacco essence that’s almost overwhelming but in the best possible way. Some people bail before the nub. I don’t. This last inch is worth sticking around for, even when the nicotine starts to make itself known. Just make sure you’ve eaten something first, because RASS on an empty stomach will let you know about it.
Construction-wise, these are consistently well-made. I’ve probably smoked a hundred of them over the years – maybe more, who’s counting – and I can remember maybe two or three that had draw issues. The wrapper is usually clean, oily but not greasy, with minimal veins. The band, with its classic gold and red design, comes off easily without tearing the wrapper if you wait until the cigar warms up. Ash is light gray, firm, and the burn rarely needs correction unless you’re smoking in wind or smoking too fast.
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramon Allones Specially Selected | Medium-Full | 60-75 min | Evening smoke, experienced palates |
| Partagás Serie D No. 4 | Full | 60-70 min | Those wanting more power |
| H. Upmann Magnum 50 | Medium | 60-75 min | Daytime alternative, lighter option |
What to Drink With It (And When to Smoke It)
Coffee works, but make it strong. Cuban coffee if you can get it, or a dark roast espresso. The cigar has enough body to stand up to the caffeine, and there’s something about that combination that just clicks. For spirits, I’m reaching for rum – specifically aged rum. Diplomatico Reserva or Zacapa 23 are my go-to choices. The sweetness in the rum plays off that underlying sweetness in the tobacco, and the alcohol cuts through the richness without overwhelming the flavors.
Whisky people will want something with character – an Islay scotch like Lagavulin works surprisingly well, though that’s admittedly an intense pairing. Bourbon can work too. Buffalo Trace or Woodford Reserve bring enough vanilla and caramel to complement without competing. I’ve had RASS with a good Spanish Rioja too, which was… actually, that worked better than I expected. The tannins in the wine matched the cigar’s strength.
Timing matters. This isn’t a morning cigar unless you’re the kind of person who drinks espresso at dawn and thrives on intensity. Late afternoon works. Evening is better. After dinner is probably ideal – give yourself time to digest, settle in with a drink, and commit to the full hour-plus that RASS demands. This is a cigar that wants your attention. Smoking it while distracted feels like a waste.
Different Packaging, Same Great Smoke
RASS comes in a few different box presentations, which matters more than you’d think for aging purposes. The standard release is a 25-count cabinet, though you’ll sometimes find 50-cab options. There have been various regional editions over the years using the RASS vitola – the Edición Regional releases for different markets – though the standard production version is what most people mean when they talk about “RASS.” The band has stayed relatively consistent: that classic Ramon Allones design with gold and red that’s been around for decades.
Some markets get tubos packaging, which is convenient for travel but I’m not convinced it makes a difference for aging. The single cigar presentation you’ll find at retail varies – sometimes in cellophane, sometimes naked depending on the shop. If you’re buying a box, check the box code to see production date. These benefit from rest time. Fresh rolled can be good, but six months to a year of humidor time transforms them into something special.
What People Keep Asking Me About RASS
How strong is the Ramon Allones Specially Selected really?
I’d call it medium-to-full, leaning more toward full in that last third. It’s not going to knock you over like a Partagás Lusitania, but it’s also not something I’d recommend to someone who usually smokes Connecticut-wrapped cigars. If you’re comfortable with Bolivar or Partagás, you’ll be fine with RASS. Just don’t smoke it on an empty stomach – that’s when the nicotine will catch up with you.
Does RASS need aging or can I smoke it fresh?
You can smoke them fresh and they’re good. But here’s the thing – wait six months to a year and they transform. The rough edges smooth out, the flavors integrate better, and that sweetness becomes more pronounced. I’ve had five-year-old RASS that were absolutely sublime. If you’ve got the patience, buy a box and stash it. Your future self will thank you.
How does RASS compare to Partagás Serie D No. 4?
They’re cousins, not twins. Both are Robustos, both are full-flavored Cubans, both are made at the same factory. But Serie D hits harder – more power, more earth, less of that underlying sweetness. RASS is more refined, more balanced. If Serie D is a hammer, RASS is a scalpel. Both are excellent, just depends what you’re in the mood for.
What’s the best way to store these?
Standard Cuban cigar storage rules apply – 65-70% humidity, around 65-68°F if you can manage it. I keep mine at 65% because I prefer a slightly drier smoke, but anywhere in that range works. Just keep them away from other strong cigars if you’re using the same humidor. RASS has its own character and you don’t want it picking up flavors from your Nicaraguan powerhouses or whatever else you’ve got in there.
Are there fake RASS cigars out there?
Unfortunately, yes. Ramon Allones gets counterfeited, though not as much as Cohiba or Montecristo. Buy from reputable sources, check the box codes, verify the bands look correct. The real ones have a specific weight and density to them – fakes often feel lighter or have spongy construction. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. I’ve been burned once by a fake box back in the early 2000s. Lesson learned.
What time of year is best for smoking RASS?
I gravitate toward these in cooler weather – fall and winter mostly. There’s something about the full flavors and longer smoking time that pairs with cold evenings and dark skies. That said, I’ve had plenty of excellent RASS experiences on summer nights too. The cigar works year-round, but personally I think it shines brightest when you can bundle up, sit outside, and watch your breath mix with the smoke.
Is this a good cigar for special occasions?
Depends on your definition of special. It’s not rare or hard to find like some limited editions, but it’s absolutely worthy of celebrating something meaningful. I’ve smoked RASS at weddings, after closing business deals, on anniversaries. The cigar has enough presence to mark the moment without being pretentious about it. Plus, at an hour-plus of smoking time, it gives you space to actually reflect on whatever you’re celebrating. That matters more than rarity in my book.
Bottom Line on the Ramon Allones Specially Selected
This is one of those cigars that’s earned its reputation honestly. No marketing hype, no celebrity endorsements, just decades of consistent quality and flavor that keeps people coming back. RASS represents what Cuban cigars are supposed to be – complex, balanced, full of character, and worth the time investment. If you’re ready to step up from lighter smokes or you’re already deep into Cuban cigars and somehow haven’t tried these yet, fix that. Buy a five-pack first if you’re uncertain. But I’m betting you’ll end up buying a box before long. That’s what happened to me in ’96, and I’ve kept RASS in my humidor ever since. Some cigars are classics for a reason.
