Rafael Gonzales Perlas

[CaptainQuintero]

2012 production

4 x 40

Great looking cigar, pretty boring packaging; not sure how these will stand out as a new release in a B&M unless you are specifically looking for them.

Draw is a little loose which I've read is a wide ranging issue with these from other reviews, not a wind tunnel but on the open side of the spectrum.

The cigar started off very full bodied, no build up, this is right up there from the first puff. People have mentioned how these are huge leather bombs but to me this is pure wood, smoky powerful oak. No subtlety here just a whack to the face. This is one dimensional right now and for the next 15 minutes follows that track, no hints of anything else. The oak really is in your face, if you have ever been into a coopers when they have been firing oak casks that is exactly the flavour here.

Half way the cigar is starting to show where it is going to head in a few years, that sweet berry that is common to the marca is drifting in. Still the overwhelming nature of the cigar is that full bodied wood.

Getting towards the band now and the cigar is burning a little hot (I'm walking the dog, hence no pictures.) and getting some harsh notes so after slowing down the pungent wood returns along with the berry undertones. Something that I get with aged Rafael Gonzales is an unmistakable cheese flavour (Yes I washed my hands before lighting up!) and this makes an appearance towards the end but again getting nowhere near close to pushing the fired oak to the side.

Overall a great little smoke, especially if you love full bodied cigars. If you like that creamy profile that you get from well aged RG which sometimes comes with an almost port flavour, then I think that is exactly where this cigar is heading in four or five years or so down the road. I'm not sure how this release will/has helped the Spanish cigar market, but that's a different discussion.

A solid 88/100 with great ageing potential. If you love full bodied cigars then I can see this being a 90 point cigar right now.

[Smokntaz]

Thanks for the nice review. I have some coming and have been dying to try these!

[Hohenthal]

Interesting review,

thanks Captain!

[Bartolomeo]

Thoughts on aging these in a cab rather than keeping in the packaging?

[Livo]

Nice review.

[David67]

Great review. Thanks.

[JPS72]

Thanks for the review.

[CaptainQuintero]

Thoughts on aging these in a cab rather than keeping in the packaging?

Hmm probably depends on taste, if you like them stronger and full bodied I'd cab/seal them to keep the ageing process slow, if you're looking for them to soften up keep them in the box/loose. That being said I don't know what packaging the 25 box is, the 5's are in straight cardboard and probably not amazing for long term ageing.

Saying that, I don't change the packaging for any of my cigars unless it's come in cardboard. Cab/dress box is all the same to me.

[JohnnyNorth]

thanks for the review! i would like to try these, but i can't find them nowhere

[finecigar]

Great review- thanks! I really enjoyed the ones I've had so far. Great for this cold time of year

[ramon_cojones]

I sparked one up last week and it was similar to what you described but I found it to have the perfect rg draw that I'm accustomed to. It was a little one dimensional and agree with your rating it was about a 90 for me.

[Rye]

Nice review! I will have to try some

[hiball99]

Great review had one this evening and really enjoyed the rg.

[Phillys]

Received one with my HQ sampler, I must say that this cigar is great. I find it to be more on the medium body right now and smoking like a champ; razor sharp burn, perfect draw, impeccable construction, cool smoke. This is a great morning coffee cigar, will be buying boxes and boxes of these for short smokes.

[dan5974]

These are pretty good already.l took mine out of the cardbord packs and put them loose in my singles humidor.I dont like leaving cigars in the cardboard packs.

[galtline]

THE Raphael Gonzalez - Petit Coronas are AMAZING