Casa del Puro tests for you Part 1

Format: Corona Gorda (14.3 cm / 1.82 cm / RM 46)

Single price (01/01/2020): €9.80

Worth knowing

The founder of the brand, Ramón Allones, was one of the pioneers of the Cuban cigar industry as early as the 1830s. Some of his groundbreaking ideas for packaging and labeling cigars have been retained to the present day. The fact that Allones still feels committed to the venerable tradition today is clearly evident in the consistently impeccable quality of these Habanos. This was honored by those responsible in Cuba in 2019 when RA was included in the prestigious category of "Value Brands" alongside Bolívar, Punch and Trinidad when the brands were reclassified.

Flavours and strength

The flagship is the magnificent Robusto "Specially Selected", which, however, has an absolutely equivalent alternative in the LCDH-exclusive sister "Superiores". The Corona Gorda format has a length of a classic Corona of 14.3 cm, while its diameter of 1.82 cm, which corresponds to a 46 ring gauge, is exactly in the middle between that of the Corona and the Robusto. The idea behind this is to find an optimal compromise between the positive properties of the thin format (slow burn, high aroma concentration, increasing intensity as the smoke progresses) and the thick format (uncomplicated draw, large smoke volume). This goal is brilliantly achieved here, the production and smoking behavior of the cigar are excellent.

The characteristic RA basic taste - a melting, clinging 'umami' aroma reminiscent of roasted peanuts and hazelnuts - also comes through in the "Superiores", especially in the last third. There is also a piquant cedar wood spice, slightly earthy undertones and a slightly bitter cocoa-like note, which create a robust, intense and very harmonious taste. What sets this Habano apart from the other RA formats, however, is a creamy, almost vanilla aftertaste like that of chai spices, which gives it a somewhat sweeter, more charming character than the RASS (and has vague parallels to the aroma of San Cristóbal). It also seems a little lighter than these, but is definitely one of the stronger cigars.

Conclusion

The exemplary rolling allows – depending on individual smoking habits – at least 60, even over 80 minutes of stress-free enjoyment. Fans of the “Specially Selected” will love this exclusive format anyway; but even those who value Montecristo the most of the “big” brands and have no problem with the strength of a Bolívar should get to know it. The “Superiores” really lives up to its confident name (“the superior one”) – its taste and workmanship can compete with much more expensive cigars. Its price-performance ratio hardly has to tolerate any competition. It is manufactured entirely by hand in the world-famous Partagás factory. The sale of the Allones Superiores is reserved exclusively for the approximately 145 La Casas del Habano worldwide. Only 5,000 boxes of ten cigars each are produced each year.