Rafael Gonzalez Corona Extra X Legendario

[Strada]

Here we are again, Here you can find the full review I did for cigarinspector and here is the pairing report I posted on my blog.

1^st third:

This cigar has a clean razor sharp burn. It doesn't need me to babysit it. This starting at light to medium body. The top notes are fruits sweetness, still undefined I am leaning toward red fruits, rhubarb, dark cherries, well actually this is more like veggie sweetness. Rhubarb is the closest I can think of. I think this just the initial flavour blast. The smoke is coating my mouth lightly and the finish is pretty crisp and short. There are some undertones of chocolate milk when I close my eyes and focus. It is low but well defined. Fruits are gone; it must be from the initial burning and blending of the tobaccos leaf. The chocolate milk is taking more space in the back but the sweetness has matured to some hazelnut. This is some of the silkiest smooth smoke I had in a long time. Notes of vanilla are sneaking in, slowly. It was an excellent first third.

The ash is white and tight.

Pairing:

With the first few sips of Legendario, the sweetness of the hazelnut/cocoa flavor is amplified. It helps to tighten up everything together, making it a more unified flavor. This is a good match. These are two products I know separately but they complete each other so well. I am kind of bummed I never did this pairing before. Notes of vanilla are spreading throughout this. Hum hum hum

2^nd third:

The head of the cigar is starting to crack and slowly open. This is nothing terrible and it is nothing a band can't fix. For those that are new to this problem, you can just slowly slide down the band over the crack to prevent it from expanding more.

Creamy milk chocolate flavours are all over this. It leaves a sweet taste on the lips, very nice. We are still at light medium body and it is steady. This smoke keeps giving the same flavours with some slight changes like vanilla, hazelnut notes coming in and out. This is a cigar to smoke slowly, you will gain so much from doing that. If I were to smoke it fast, I am pretty sure the flavours would heat and mix up. I would be missing how well defined they are. Hints of white bread are sneaking in and I now have a nutella toast. The Rafael Gonzalez has my complete attention. Its sweetness just stepped up and it is staring to taste like white chocolate.

Pairing:

The rum is not to strong, not too weak. It is sitting just below the cigar. Even if the cigar is more on the light body side, the flavors are laying right on top of the rum`s The caramel and sweet honey of this rum are very enjoyable. These two are made to go hand in hand. Very impressive.

3^rd third

The bottom third is picking up to medium body. Some light spices are showing up. The cocoa is gone but the milky feeling is still present. It still produces silky smooth smoke. The burn isn't giving any problems at all, which is great. I get some toasted bread. Body is slightly picking up, the finish is building up greatly, I love a strong finish. The vegetal flavour is back mixed with some dry leaves, very much like tea, very much so like tea, with a cloud of milk. A great finish for a great cigar.

Pairing: The Legendario is taking care of this cigar really well. We have vanilla and some milk.It is a little overwhelmed with the spices that the RG is throwing at it right now but it is still providing a comfortable bed for the flavors. They became great friends. This is a must try.

Cigar 4/5

Pairing 4/5

Edited April 10, 2012 by Strada

[maverickdrinker]

great review Simon. Now you are making me regret selling off my 98 RGCEs.

[Strada]

@Art

@Shlomo, you should dig in that box to give me some

[cottierm]

Great review Simon! The RG CE is one of my all-time favourite.

Just a question: where did you find the Legendario? Brought it straight from Cuba?

Best,

Michel

[Strada]

I did, straight from Havana, Michel, I say a few places europeen online place you can order it. Not sure if they send outside of EU

[cottierm]

I'll wait for my next trip to the beautiful island then!

If you like the vanilla flavour in your rum, you should try (if it is not already done) the Angostura 1919; at around CAD$ 30.00, it is a bargain!

I've just discover the Pyrat XO Reserve which is at last available in the LCBO stores in Toronto (together with the Zacapa 23; who may have think that there were some intelligent people on that Board!). Concerning the Pyrat, I've never taste anything like that, if indeed the strong orange peel flavour is not added to the product!

Best,

Michel

[Strada]

I heard great thing about the Pyrat XO and Zacapa 23. I will buy a Zacappa 23 on in NY next month. I really like Cockspur 12 if you like Angostura you will that one!

[Strada]

Some extra info for this cigar and rum:

Cuban Cigar: Rafael Gonzalez Corona Extra. This is a pre-1960 release and it was, unfortunately, discontinued in 2010. This particular example is from a May 2007 box. This is not the prettiest cigar I have seen but it is the proof looks is not everything lol.

Rum: Legendario is a Cuban rum you can find in Cuba and some in Europe but not in Us. After some research I found there is a distibutor in Alberta for it. Anyone can confirm? You can get the Anejo or the 7 year old. I prefer the Anejo as the 7 is quite sweet, too much for my taste.

[Scdalak]

Legendario goes with EVERY cigar!

Nice review Simon. I have an '07 box sitting. May have to dig it out and fire one or two up this summer.

SHLOMO!!! There, I knew I could spell it right!!!!!

Yet another Cracker Jack review my Canadian friend, well done!!

[cottierm]

Hi Simon,

Could you find the Cockspur in Quebec because in Ontario, nada!

Best,

Michel

[Strada]

Michel,

Here is the SAQ info about this rum, 35,75$ but when I look at availability, it seems to be quite scarce now, only 5 bottles left in Quebec. That happened to Barbancourt Hatian rum a lot, you can go for months without seeing one and then boom, all over the place.

A picture of whats left of my bottle.

[cottierm]

Thank for the info and the pick Simon.

For the Barbancourt I can only obtain the 4 years old in Ontario, do you have the older versions in Quebec?

Best,

Michel

[Strada]

Thats the only one we get as well.

Also if you like Bajan rums, Mount *** X.O is pretty darn good!

[CanuckSARTech]

....Rum: Legendario is a Cuban rum you can find in Cuba and some in Europe but not in Us. After some research I found there is a distibutor in Alberta for it. Anyone can confirm? You can get the Anejo or the 7 year old. I prefer the Anejo as the 7 is quite sweet, too much for my taste.

Apparently, the stuff to get that's the "bee's knees" is the Elixer de Legendario. More of a rum liquor, rather than straight rum - apparently more syrupy, interesting, etc. I tried to find it on my last Cuban trip last January, but no dice.

[Strada]

Keith, I saw it and tasted it in Havana and not my thing ...

[CanuckSARTech]

Keith, I saw it and tasted it in Havana and not my thing ...

Maybe a second tasting might prove beneficial. I'll try to find some if/when I go back this fall or winter (Festival 2013 at the latest). Fingers crossed on finding this elusive nectar then....I do believe I owe a favour back also!

[Strada]

lol I am always willing to give a second try. Thanks. I will also go back in December this year or maybe FOH Master Class 2013...

[Skitalets]

Apparently, the stuff to get that's the "bee's knees" is the Elixer de Legendario. More of a rum liquor, rather than straight rum - apparently more syrupy, interesting, etc. I tried to find it on my last Cuban trip last January, but no dice.

I have a bottle and like it. (Legendario 7 is the "elixir".) It is not a sophisticated drink, though, a bit candy-like. The raisin taste is fairly strong. I do find it a very nice change of pace but love Zaya as my primary sipping rum.