Room 101 cigars are a terrific premium line from Camacho.  If you haven't had one, you really should go get a few...after reading this review, of course.  I found two definitions of the name of this vitola.  Ranfla means " ramp" or is slang for a low rider.  The presentation of these beauties really shows off the artistry put into these excellent cigars.  The OSOK (One Shot One Kill) last year was simply amazing and I wish they were still available in my area.  This baby sat in my humidor for a week before I decided to review it.  I am still not sure how I waited that long.    Let's see how this baby smokes....

NOTE: you may notice the chart at the bottom of the page.  I am trying something new.  Using the taste list from Tobacconist University, I can chart out the flavor profile of a cigar.  Pretty cool, huh?

Construction: The Ranfla is covered with a fairly veiny dark red-brown wrapper that has a nice oily sheen.  It's slightly heavy in the hand as well - always a good sign.

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: Once unwrapped, I get some great woody notes with a strong spice and barnyard aroma from the foot.  The draw is insanely perfect. 

Light and Burn: The lighting is a snap on this big perfecto.  I lit it with a strip of cedar I had laying around the humidor too - if you haven't tried that with a cigar, I highly recommend it.  Not only does it help preserve the flavor of the cigar, it is also a lot of fun lighting one with a burning hunk of wood.  The smoke is dense and aromatic from this beauty as well.    The burn is nice and even with a white ash that clings well.  Overall a very nice start.

Tasting: This thing is a flavor bomb.  Starting off there are hits of spice, explosions of wood, and bursts of intense cedar.  It bombards the senses.  Immolates the palate. Scorches the....okay, I'll stop.  It really is a powerhouse, though.  As the first third burns, I get hints of oak, caramel, coffee, and a nice hint of orange peel.  Into the middle third the cigar mellows out a bit but still hits hard in terms of flavor.  I get more of the woody notes and a nice cinnamon addition to the mix.  As the final third starts, I get some flavors of mesquite wood mixing with the oak and cedar.  Easily the woodiest cigar I have smoked in recent memory. 

Value: At around $9 the Ranfla is well priced.  A box of ten will run you around $90 online. Well worth the price.

Final Thoughts: The Namakubi is essentially the same filler and binder used in that amazing OSOK blend with a terrific Ecuadorian Habano wrapper in place of the Semila 101 Honduran wrapper used previously.  I love it when a manufacturer does this kind of thing.  I know some folks discount the amount of flavor the wrapper leaf provides but I believe the wrapper is so important to cigar flavors and this specific cigar really shows that off.  If you can locate a OSOK and smoke it in conjunction with the Namakubi Ecuador, you will see that the flavors are quite different.  But I digress....and highly recommend this terrific cigar.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Dominican Republic, Honduras

Strength: Medium to full with full flavor

Size: 6.5 x 50 perfecto

Killer presentation!

The Ecuadorian Habano just shines with oils