Rafael Gonzalez Petit Corona NRC Sep 05

[Miami101]

I have to put it on my list.... Some of the family members live in Miami, and own a cigar shop. The US version of this cigar is very different from almost any cigar I have had...not sure if it was in a good way.

[stever]

Excellent review. One of my favorite PCs.

Cigardawg and I smoked one from '98 last night. Very tasty and rich, and I found that it actually packed quite a punch! I didn't want the last inch to go away. Review forthcoming, I promise.

[Colt45]

Another great review, another cigar I've not tried Thanks!

[shrink]

Isn't it a nice experience to be pleasantly surprised by a smoke? Even more than expecting a good smoke, and being satisfied, eh?.

Your review has stirred up a lot of curiosity about the cigar, and no small measure of admiration for the reviewer. Ooops, did I say that?

[marco polo]

Thanks for the pics Rob !:-)

[Miami101]

You Da Man!

[strayvector]

Tasty PCs. I have 2 left from a '97 box and this cigar ages beautifully. Newer ones from 03 are developing very well.

[El Presidente]

So when is the last time you picked up a Rafael Gonzalez Petit Corona? I couldn't remember when I had although it must be 18 months or so. My excuse was that there were plenty of dud RGPC going around in 01/02 and not being a big turnover stock, there were still plenty of those boxcodes going around as well as 03's which while better were still hit and miss.

However on Friday I came across some very good looking 05 stock. Perfect construction with a smell at cold of raisin bran breakfast cereal.

Cerrated the cap to find a good ever so slightly firm draw. On the lips were milk coffee and raisins. A little Monte 4ish...a little Juan Lopez Coronaish.

Torched the foot to find cocoa, charred cedar and unsweetened cream. Very smooth and elegant flavour profile. Body is just shy of medium. Has elements of a San Cristobal Principe in that the raisin sweetness stays just in the background lilting in and out at different levels of intensity. Dusty texture on the palate. The cocoa elements are not liquid based...more cocoa powder sprinkled on a coffee. Hard to describe.

The mid point and this cigar is flawless. Sancho Panza Non Plus/Principe/Monte 4 all rolled into one. Lovely balance between sweetness of the raisins/cocoa and the sour/saltiness of unsweetened cream and charred barrel wood.

Thoroughly enjoyed the last third. No bitterness to be found. Just the core flavours already described. It is refreshing to enjoy a cigar of which you had little expectation. The Rafael Gonzalez PC is a most underrated Petit Corona which showcases how great and complex lighter blend Cuban cigars can be. Elegant, complex, definitive.

89/100 4/6 Smokerings.