Rafael Gonzalez Coronas De Lonsdales

[DeeBeezy]

I have no experience with Rafael Gonzalez. Has anyone tried them? What are your thoughts? Robusto/ Hermoso No 4 size is what I smoke the most of. I have a really solid rotation.

MY QUESTION - is this only good because its an affordable alternative? Or can genuinely hold its on with the big boys (BRC,RASS, VR FAMOSO)?

[Ford2112]

Rafael Gonzalez is premium tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo region. Long filler. Pick a size. The Perla is the most flavorful of the bunch in my opinion.

[yuppie]

6 hours ago, DeeBeezy said:

I have no experience with Rafael Gonzalez. Has anyone tried them? What are your thoughts? Robusto/ Hermoso No 4 size is what I smoke the most of. I have a really solid rotation.

MY QUESTION - is this only good because its an affordable alternative? Or can genuinely hold its on with the big boys (BRC,RASS, VR FAMOSO)? 

To my tastes, it can only hold it's own after some good age. It really shines after year 5. Before that, you can kinda tell why it's a cheaper alternative. I had a super scraggly Rafael Gonzalez Panetelas Extra  the other day that was nothing short of delicious, but it had quite a few years on it.

[barrygoodvibes]

Chocolate bomb. Great value. Buy a box of the Coronas de Lonsdales and Perlas. 

[Lucas Buck]

A vastly underrated marca. Consistent wonderful cigars and sometimes when I’m reminded of them I wonder why I don’t smoke more of them. If you love one Rafael Gonzalez vitola you’ll probably love them all. I can only say that about a very few marcas. 

[JohnS]

2 hours ago, Lucas Buck said:

A vastly underrated marca. Consistent wonderful cigars and sometimes when I’m reminded of them I wonder why I don’t smoke more of them. If you love one Rafael Gonzalez vitola you’ll probably love them all. I can only say that about a very few marcas. 

This. I concur. There's no need to add anything more here.

[LordAnubis]

I wouldn’t say it stacks up to any of the “upper brands” robustoish vitolas. I think it’s great cigar at its price point. I have stocked myself up on them. Can’t see myself mistaking it for a Bolivar etc. As a 10ct box it’s a no brainer buy. Not much money spent and no big loss. 

[El Presidente]

On 12/18/2025 at 8:43 PM, LordAnubis said:

I wouldn’t say it stacks up to any of the “upper brands” robustoish vitolas. I think it’s great cigar at its price point. I have stocked myself up on them. Can’t see myself mistaking it for a Bolivar etc. As a 10ct box it’s a no brainer buy. Not much money spent and no big loss. 

Bingo. 

IMHO, 20% better utility than a Quintero Favorito. 20% less utility than a Bolivar Royal Corona. 

 

[frenchkiwi]

I've had few of some 10ct boxes purchased via here and they were slightly lighter in body than some of the smaller RGs - Panatelas Perlas, etc. that I'm a fan of with coffee - but excellent construction and a pleasant if not quite rich flavour. Maybe that will come with time, but based on the medium body, I wouldn't count on it. Recommend early in the morning with a latte or something light for full enjoyment, or alternatively as a more neutral smoke to pair with a light whisky you want to focus on (tomintoul "the gentle dram" ;-). For those cases, I can vouch for it based on experience.    

[Gemini_Man]

I'd recommend the Perlas or Corona de Lonsdales over the Panatela extra. I've had too many plugged RG panatelas comparatively.