Ramón Allones 898 Cabinet Selection

The Ramón Allones 898 is one of the most historically significant cigars in the Habanos canon — not just because of its flavor, but because of what it represents structurally. Ramón Allones is widely credited with pioneering the 8-9-8 packing method: eight cigars on the bottom layer, nine in the middle, eight on top, for a total of 25 in the distinctive varnished cabinet box. The format became so associated with the brand that the cigar itself was eventually named for the layering.

What it tastes like

At 6.7 inches with a 43 ring gauge, the 898 is a classic Lonsdale: long, refined, and built for a slow 60-to-75-minute session. The narrower ring gauge concentrates flavor and produces a cooler, more focused draw than the wider-gauged modern Cuban releases. Rich earth and dark wood are the core, with aged leather and roasted coffee developing through the extended smoke. The spice is measured — present but never dominant — letting the tobacco's depth take center stage. In well-aged examples, the complexity reaches remarkable levels.

A discontinued classic

Regular production of the 898 Cabinet Selection ended around 2002, making surviving boxes collector's items. The name lives on through the 2014 Edición Regional revival for Germany (see separate entry). For context on the Lonsdale vitola and how ring gauge affects flavor concentration, our cigar strength guide is a useful resource.

This is a full-strength Cuban, best approached after you've worked through the brand's current production offerings. Log any vintage boxes you encounter in the Casa DNC app — detailed provenance notes are essential with discontinued Habanos. Compare the classic Cuban Lonsdale format with New World approaches in our Cuban vs. Nicaraguan cigars guide.