Rafael Gonzalez Lonsdales NRG AGO 05 (RASLRRW)

[Notsocleaver]

The Rafael Gonzalez Lonsdales was discontinued in 2006, though it seems like it can still be sometimes found by intrepid travelers in dusty cigar shops around the world. Many have lamented the departure of the long skinny cigar in the Habanos portfolio, with this Lonsdale having a special cache with some on this very board.

This particular lonsdales is nothing to write home about. Smooth and nondescript. Almost more like a prop than a real cigar. The draw on this cigar is tight, which is a bad sign. I hate tight draws.

Rafael Gonzalez has always struck me as a Bolivar lite. Same sweet earth notes, but not the strength. Some floral notes play in there. RyJ meets Boli. There is a bit of a tang that is distinct to aged tobacco

As the cigar progresses, we see some milk chocolate flavor develop, and some grainy, bread type flavor. Towards the end the firm draw sours the cigar, leaving the last inch and a half of sour dirt. yuck. I toss it early.

I'm of two minds in regards to the loss of thin ring gauge cigars. On one hand, some of the finest cigars I have had were in that thin category, but rolling them well seems to be beyond the capabilities of the average roller employed by Habanos SA for most of the previous decade. This Lonsdale was simply too tight to be truly enjoyed, its nuances were strangled in the crib, a loss lamented 14 years later. I give it a 80, but a better roll would have given it another 7-10 points easy. If you stumble onto a well rolled box in your journeys, count yourself blessed.

[PigFish]

Thanks for the honest review. I just did one for an SLR A that was also just average.

I love these cigars, but that does not make every one of them bliss. I hope your next one is better.

Cheers! -Piggy

[Notsocleaver]

The tobacco is good, and its not like the roller was a complete hack like some of those guys rolling in 99-00, they just weren't quite up to the task of producing a decent lonsdales. Just a little extra coaching or supervision and it could have been fantastic.

[rcarlson]

Bummer.  If you've held it all of the last 14 years what a disappointment.  

[Notsocleaver]

There have been a couple of gems in this box, so it hasn't been a total write off. Extensive dry boxing and draw tool work have saved a few more, this just wasn't one of them.