Royal Jasmaican Oro Rojo - Impression Review

[palm55]

Bear with me here, for I look to this board for reviews, not as a venue to share impressions. In this case, however, I should like to offer my impressions of a Jamaican that (in my view) deserves a note, if for nothing beyond the fact that it's "different."

Royal Jamaica Oro Rojo (in my case a fat little thing, 5 X 50). I won't get into the "fruits & nuts & chocolate & coffee stuff here, because interpretations are like belly buttons. So here goes:

TEMPTATION: Couldn't resist the little rascal... Fat, short, dark, seductively wrapped, and asking me to take it home.

RESEARCH: Nothing other than a few reviews, indicating the the "Hey-Mon!" folks have something going with the fermentation process.

PRE-LIGHT: Stank like old bedsheets... Then again, I also enjoy Roquefort!

INITIAL FLAVOR: Like burned, old bedsheets for 1/4 inch, as I had expected.

INTERMIDIATE FLAVOR: Tart (as I prefer), with something indescribable, as though it's been infused with something, but never betraying the tobacco.

SCENT & AROMA: Scent, for me, matched the flavor, and was quite pleasurable! Couldn't help but take a few snorts off the curl from the head. Aroma was unobjectionable (nearly undetectable) for my wife.

BURN: Some heavy veins, and corrections required, though nothing that didn't repay me.

BURN TIME: I needed 90 minutes with this cigar, though I tend to stretch out the experience.

OVERALL OPINION:
-- Give this one plenty of time, and have something cold and refreshing on hand to cleanse the pallet between interludes.
-- This is a unique smoke with a unique flavor. It's one of those that I can enjoy when it's time for a change of pace (perhaps a few times during each of the four seasons), and a few sticks will find their way into my humidor within the next week.

DISCLAIMER: Just gut reactions while the smoke is still in my memory, folks! Take it for what it's worth!

[SmokusMaximus]

Nice review!

I'm not sure that I would try one, but you give me plenty to think about.

[craigchilds]

I had a Royal Jamaican Gold Oro Rojo Corona llast week. It was my first experience with RJ Gold. I enjoyed it at Partners Sports Bar in Memphis, watching a college basketball game (Memphis over UAB by double digits). A very smooth, mild cigar. The flavor was nice, if not exactly memorable, but the construction was flawless. It burned slow, with perfectly even precision. No canoes, no relights, and no touch-up trims.

[WetExit]

I smoked this in a corona two nights ago. It was dark and ugly, shell-like and veiny, but with solid build- no soft spots anywhere. The first 1/8 or 1/4 inch seemed sweet and quickly turned toasty-or charred-or something. It tasted dark but without complexity. It had a good taste and was smooth, but I felt like I was gnawing at it to pull more of "something" out of it. The burn was even, draw was good, ash was smooth and held on strong- two ash smoke. I didn't have this one long before I smoked it, I'll definately try it again.

[hunter1127]

I've smoked a few of these, and are among my favorites. Always found good construction and burn. Great aroma and ash. Find this smoke to be medium, sweet on front end..creamy aftertaste. Highly recommend these!!

[palm55]

Thank you, gentlemen, for your impressions! And you've confirmed that this is one that deserves a revisit!

It's a "different" kind of a smoke! And unlike the ACIDS and other "neuvo-genre" cigars, I believe that it has a justifiable place among those sticks that should have places in my coolerdor or humidore.

I would be appreciative of more input on the Royal Jam in particular, and other Jamaicans in general!


__________________________________________________ ____________

"Bob Marley has nothing on me!!!... Well, except for a few hundred-million, and a larger humidor..."

Onward and forward!!!!

[kansashat]

Considering some initial negative reviews after this cigar's release, I was sceptical, but have found the few toros I have smoked to be quite nice.

[palm55]

Originally Posted by kansashat

Considering some initial negative reviews after this cigar's release, I was sceptical, but have found the few toros I have smoked to be quite nice.

Kan,

Could it be that these need to be layed down for awhile? I've not aged any.

[Hap]

These are my go-to when I want a mild and slightly spicey/herbal cigar and I try to keep a few on hand for that reason. Not overly complex at all, short finish, with good tooth. They are a bit ugly to look at, I suppose, but then appearance is not a big deal to me.

[hollywood]

Originally Posted by kansashat

Considering some initial negative reviews after this cigar's release, I was sceptical ...

I have had a few of these around and have never tried them for that reason. Just seemed that I had too many others to try first. Looks like I need to reconsider, and at least try a couple to see for myself.

[palm55]

It ws impressive enough so that I picked up a couple more, and buried them in a coolerdor.

I'm figuring I'll wait until the snow stops flying and we have our first weekend in the 70s to try another... Maybe whip up a rum punch, spool up some Bob Marley, sit on the porch, and stoke one up... See whether the ambiance enriches the stick!

[WetExit]

Originally Posted by palm55

Kan,

Could it be that these need to be layed down for awhile? I've not aged any.

This is what I'm wondering as well. The one I smoked was resting for only one week. I will also try a larger ring gauge than the Corona I chose before. Maybe a robusto or belicoso will provide more body.