Rafael Gonzalez Coronas Extra RSE ABR01 (S&FBRW)

[cgoodrich]

This is my first time to provide a cigar review, so be gentle on me (I can be long winded)! 😉

The RG Coronas Extra is a standard Corona Gorda size of 46rg x 143mm (5 5/8”). I personally wouldn’t call this fat but @MoeFOH sets the rules, and I want to play. The Coronas Extra was sadly discontinued in 2010, which preceded the RyJ Exhibicion No.3 (2013) and Saint Luis Rey Serie A (2014). This format is one of my favorite sizes along with Minutos, Petite Coronas, and Coronas. I recently acquired a partial box of 20 on BR having never tried before; rolling the dice. I will say I have been rewarded in my gamble.

The aroma from the box and off the wrapper is a sweet sandalwood and cedar. I get the same taste of sandalwood from the cold draw. I chose one of the lightest wrappers in the box, a nice claro color. The wrapper looked dry, smooth, but still supple. It had a lush draw so I worried it would need attention to prevent overheating.

It started out with the sandalwood and cedar, but also with that distinct Cuban twang. I thought 21 years would have removed that profile. Loads of beautiful smoke, creamy and mild to just past mild, it was very mouth filling, not dry at all. The 1st third stayed relatively unchanged until nearing the 2nd third where the sandalwood receded and the cigar took on a creaminess, nuttiness (cashew like) with a hint of mint flicking in and out.

As it moved through the 2nd third the nuttiness took on a toasty quality, then all of a sudden I hit caramel/toffee on the retrohale. What a surprise it was! This was never prominent, just moving in and out at times. Reminded me of a well aged PLPC, just not as frequent on the puffs. The ash had a bit of flakiness, but it never made a mess. It did burn a bit wonky but I never had to touch up. The ash held on a full 1 1/2” (38mm), incredible.

As it entered the final third I lost the Carmel/toffee note (😢) and it took on a woodiness. Strength moved to nearly medium at this point. It also took on a bit of mocha in the creaminess which worked well with the nut and wood notes.

I usually don’t nub a cigar, but I wanted to push this one right to the end to see what it would do. The last 5 minutes the sandalwood returned and the woodiness declined, leaving mostly that toasted cashew flavor. Smoking time was around 75 minutes.

This cigar was absolutely gorgeous, better than I hoped it would be. I would give it a solid 95/96. Never thought I would feel that good about some rolled up plant leaves! 😂

[JohnS]

Thanks @cgoodrich for this review on a rarer and aged discontinued cigar. 

[El Presidente]

Great review!!!! 

[SCgarman]

These were a great cigar when rolled well, and have a blend that can stand up for decades. Likely those who stocked up on these are not willing to part with them. Once again, another HSA f***up axing these. I know Ray Pigfish is a big fan. Second best thing still produced is the RGPC

[Ford2112]

I wish RG had a dalia.

[SCgarman]

2 minutes ago, Ford2112 said:

I wish RG had a dalia.

They had the original "Lonsdale". Of course like everything else good, axed many years ago. 

[Ford2112]

2 minutes ago, SCgarman said:

They had the original "Lonsdale". Of course like everything else good, axed many years ago. 

🥴

[Tdm_86]

Thanks for a great review on a discontinued cigar. I always like reading about either discontinued or just older cigars.

[Justins123]

It’s a cheap thrill to wax nostalgic about various discontinued cigars. As always gets pointed out, the vast majority simply sat of shelves.  But the RGCE really was a hidden gem. Thanks for the great review. 

[SCgarman]

I was looking at Rafael Gonzalez on Cuban Cigar Website and to my surprise this marca along with El Rey del Mundo were considered "luxury" brands back in the day. Long before Cohiba was born.