About two years ago a friend brought me back from Heathrow a box of 10 RyJ #1 De Luxe in tubes. As I recall, they were made in 1998, but as I didn't save the box I can't give the factory. I haven't seen much posted on these and thought I'd contribute a brief review.
I've just now started smoking these, and have been pleasantly surprised. Although they varied tremendously in wrapper color when removed from the tubes (I opened the tubes when I acquired them), all were extremely well constructed and had acquired a light sheen of oil.
Pre-light and post-light draw were excellent, smoke thick and copious, and the ash was spectacular: gray and rock hard, the equivalent to ash on the few Cohibas I've had. They start off mild, but about a third of the way in they become quite full-bodied and delightful. No unusual flavor notes but pure tasty, toasty Habanos flavor. Moreover, it's one of the longest-lasting coronas I've ever had--nearly an hour, and that wasn't to the butt.
I'm not a tubo man, and I don't know if recent vintages have been this good, but I wish I had a box of 25 of these! This cigar has certainly not lost any of its power over the last 5 years--unless, that is, it was a really strong cigar to begin with.
Does anybody smoke these?
I've just now started smoking these, and have been pleasantly surprised. Although they varied tremendously in wrapper color when removed from the tubes (I opened the tubes when I acquired them), all were extremely well constructed and had acquired a light sheen of oil.
Pre-light and post-light draw were excellent, smoke thick and copious, and the ash was spectacular: gray and rock hard, the equivalent to ash on the few Cohibas I've had. They start off mild, but about a third of the way in they become quite full-bodied and delightful. No unusual flavor notes but pure tasty, toasty Habanos flavor. Moreover, it's one of the longest-lasting coronas I've ever had--nearly an hour, and that wasn't to the butt.
I'm not a tubo man, and I don't know if recent vintages have been this good, but I wish I had a box of 25 of these! This cigar has certainly not lost any of its power over the last 5 years--unless, that is, it was a really strong cigar to begin with.
Does anybody smoke these?
