Ramón Allones Robusto AJ Fernandez Style 8/5/18

Appearance
A dark chocolate colored wrapper with a couple of prominent veins. In some areas the seams are visible due to a bit of mottling and in other areas the seam disappears completely. The wrapper leaf has a very oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed with no apparent soft spots.
The bands are very attractive which is a hallmark of AJ’s work.

Aroma
Earthy and cedar on the wrapper. The same at the foot with a pinch of cocoa powder as well.

Prelight Draw
Very earthy, cedar, faint dried fruit and spice

1st
The initial draws bring notes of earth and cedar with a good bit of spice developing in the background. The draw is perfect as is the burn line at this point 1/2” in. The ash is light gray and mostly tight. The dried fruit notes join the profile albeit very subtly. The spice is of the black pepper variety but is not obnoxious at this point. The ash which had been looking suspect (hence why I was holding the cigar over the ash tray) dropped at the 1” mark. Smoke production is in the high range.

2nd
Strength & body have settled at the medium+ point. The black pepper spice has faded a bit which is good as the cigar is more balanced now. Also joining the profile are notes of espresso and a fine leather texture. The burn line has a slight wave at the midway point of the cigar. The profile is very rich which is a by-product of Nicaraguan tobacco(great soil). The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, dried fruit, espresso, black pepper spice and a fine leather texture.

Final/3rd
The flavorful profile rolls into the final/3rd. Strength is now med/full. Well balanced, flavorful and rich with a nice complexity. A tasty cigar right to the nub.

Overall
The Ramón Allones Robusto AJ Style provides a very enjoyable smoking experience. A very flavorful profile with a perfect draw and mostly perfect burn.
While General Cigar still owns the brand they licensed AJ to make his version so he reblended and repackaged his way, doing a stellar job on both fronts.
Ramón Allones cigars have now been made in 4 regions. My rating in ( )
Cuban (the best...period)
Honduras (3rd)
Dominican Rep. (4th)
Nicaragua (very close 2nd)
GoGetchasome™️!!