if you got to choose which one to buy?

Both very good, I always prefer a cabinet, so if you're getting 25 the Epi might get the nod. With that said the RASS are smoking well. I liked them so much I got a 25 count dress box and then a 50 count cab. As you can see they both look good.

RASS and Epi 2

With that said it sounds like you like Robustos, the Bolivar Royal Corona and Partagas Serie D No.4 are both excellent choices.

Note that, both RASS and Epi#2 are both Cab of 50 and they are both on sale. Although the epi is a bit more expensive.

I've had PSD4 and Boli RC. I am now trying to stock on shorter CC, because I have too many long ones.

May be I should be more specific with my question. Which one has a richer profile?

EPI#2 has the best flavor, IMHO. Very earthy, smoother, not as strong as the RASS.

The RASS is definately lighter with a bit more of a floral character to it IMO. Epis are a bit fuller in body and have a much richer flavor to me. 2 totally different smokes, guess it depends which you are looking for. Both are good choices. I am almost through a box of RASS and thinking about getting a box of the epi2 soon

They are quite different cigars. RASS are "stronger" in the sense that they give a greater bite on the tongue and through the nose. EPI2 are a bit smoother and have woody undertones. I'm told that RASS should be aged at least 5 years to be fully appreciated, but I've never been able to keep my hands off them for that long.

For smoking immediately, I'd opt for EPI. For longer term, I much prefer RASS. Get both. Smoke the EPI's now and let the RASS rest as long as you can.

rass.

True Confession:

As much as I would like to think I have been around the block at least once or twice I will admit to going to a provider's site just to be able to decode RASS. Ramon Allones Specially Selected? Never tried them but LOVE the Epi 2's.

Have to go back to making a semi honest living now.

Cheers,
Dr. Raoul Duke
"The Golfing Gynecologist"

Two way different sticks here. For what it is worth I would go with the Epi. For me the RASS has lost a step or two over the past couple of years.

I've bought a few boxes of both the RASS and the EPI's over the last few yeras.. my impessions are that the RASS open up after a third of the igar.... and when I mean open up, I mean an abundance of flavors that turn this smoke into a finger burner.... now as for the EPI, it's quite good as well, much more balanced though... very consistent from start to finish..... you kind of know exactly what you're getting after a few puffs..... but both definite winners.... try the Hdm petit robusto instead of the EPI.... quite similar to it, but 1" shorter and packing quite more punch....

thanks for the pointers. I took a dip and bought a cab of epi#1. I'll tell you how I like it once they are here.

I got the shipment in yesterday and puffed one during the front 9 of golf round today. Very consistant from start to finish, nice draw and burn evenly and I even nub it at the very end. Balance flavour, nothing harsh, plenty of sweet wood type of taste almost like sweet cinnamon and chestnut like flavor, if I remember. Great overall easy to smoke cigar. The box code is LWI JUL 05, all 50 of them are light tan color and bundled together in the box.

I think I need a bigger humidor very soon. My 7 drawer humi is FULL and I even transfer of NC cigar to my desktop humi. Thinking of getting the end table furniture type humi, but not sure if I wanna spend $400 on that. I'd rather buy another box of CC. I saw someone here convert an ice chest into a humidor, please tell me a little bit on that.

Overall, I am very satisfied with Epi#1. Good price, good smoke and good size. If I am J. Suckling I'd rate it between 91-93.

V

Funny because they recently rated an Epi #1 from Jun 05 an 86

quote:

Originally posted by Van55:
They are quite different cigars. RASS are "stronger" in the sense that they give a greater bite on the tongue and through the nose. EPI2 are a bit smoother and have woody undertones. I'm told that RASS should be aged at least 5 years to be fully appreciated, but I've never been able to keep my hands off them for that long.

For smoking immediately, I'd opt for EPI. For longer term, I much prefer RASS. Get both. Smoke the EPI's now and let the RASS rest as long as you can.

Wow, Van, I see it just the opposite

I think both the Epi and RASS are two that really need age to reach their potential. But I can smoke a new RASS before an Epi anyday.

Overall, I prefer the RASS. It has much more character to me than an Epi, which is just a mild, nutty smoke. Good, but not like a RASS.

quote:

Originally posted by jmunro:
Funny because they recently rated an Epi #1 from Jun 05 an 86

Personally, I think they are more deserving than that, even being a fan of more full-bodied cigars.

I am a bit biased towards the RASS as it is one of my favorite smokes of the moment. I find the latest batch to be smoking very smoothly. I would love to hypothetically get a cabinet of these to age and check back on within a few years.