Rafael González 88 Edición Regional Asia Pacifico SOM DIC 2016 (FSRFEB2025)

[unaslob]

Bought this box last year on BR and have had one sitting in my ‘around town’ travel humidor to smoke st some point but never pulled it until today. A buddy needed some help fixing his hot tub and in a previous life I did that kind of thing. 

The cigar is a looker with mild perfecto like taper at each end.  A bit firm to the finger raised suspicion for a tight draw but that was unfounded.   chose V cut as usual. 

Dry draw had some earthy fields with slight cocoa.  

Initial light gave some nice Mexican cocoa flavors that started stein literally with the first puff and tapered throughout. First half overall notes of hay even flowery - Perhaps for my want of spring as I was sitting outside looking at the snowscape bundled in front of a heater. This stick started mild and rose to at best medium bodied midway. 

Last half the cocoa all but vanished and the outdoorsy notes of hay and floral continued to play. Nothing harsh or peppery to be had as expected on an almost 10 yo smoke. Burn was even, no relighting required.

This was my second stick of the day following a lovely Partagas Serie D #6. Looking back souls have started with the RG and finished with the PSD6. Perhaps a good pairing will bring out some of the finer notes on the remaining sticks I have. Any pairing suggestions?

[JohnS]

The first thing that popped to my mind, given that Rafael Gonzalez has been a marca traditionally aimed for the English market, and considering the age on this cigar, is to try a stick from your 10-count box with tea.

See how that goes!

[unaslob]

12 hours ago, JohnS said:

The first thing that popped to my mind, given that Rafael Gonzalez has been a marca traditionally aimed for the English market, and considering the age on this cigar, is to try a stick from your 10-count box with tea.

See how that goes!

I have not tried pairing a cigar with a nice tea. I will look forward to this. Thank you!

[HenryMartin]

Stunning looking cigar, what a great collection. In that kind of climate, the thought of a neat Baileys came to my mind as pairing.