Rafael Gonzales Lonsdale

[PigFish]

Rafael Gonzales Lonsdale

So some of my friends and I were doing a little blind tasting on some lonsdales, a favorite cigar that I have not smoked much of lately. The tasting is not about identifying the cigar but just a means to get a real time, broad spectrum rating on each cigar tasted. Well, I botched the first cigar tasting so badly it was funny. So much for my life as a sommelier!

Anyway as a result of that recent debauchery I had decided to brush up on a few lonsdales; to sharpen my edge so to speak! I knew that I had a few boxes of RG lonsdales hiding someplace and after having my appetite wet for lightly wrapped cigars I went scrounging around for the open box. Luckily for me I was able to lay my hands on the box without too much effort and I was rewarded with a wonderful smoking experience as a result.

Now I know that some of you are thinking that I am going to once again hoist my lard ass atop my ever-present soapbox to once again sing the praises of not only slender cigars but those of the Rafael Gonzales line… Well seeing as I have accomplished the task in a clever back handed fashion I will save you all having to read once again where my allegiances lie.

This cigar was from a box of ’03 and they are smoking just wonderfully now. You say that you don’t have any RG lonsdales. I am sorry to hear that gentlemen but there is more to life than robustos and piramides. I think I got these from Rob, perhaps he has more!

Thanks for reading, -Piggy

[perfectform]

That is so weird. I was just contemplating whether to pick up a box from 02. Nice pics by the way.

[bassman]

A little too mild for me. I'm glad I've stocked up on cabinets of Partagas Lonsdales.

[Jimmy2]

Had an 05 a while back it was excellant med to full and the flavor was very complex.The only bad thing is i can not find 05 or newer ones anywhere if anyone has info on where to get them LMK please.

Glad you like them..

[PigFish]

A little too mild for me. I'm glad I've stocked up on cabinets of Partagas Lonsdales.

Man I wish I did! I have one intact cab and a dozen or so singles. There are still flats available and perhaps someday I might pick up some more that way.

[El Presidente]

Such a lovely soft cigar full of flavour. Dying art form......softness and flavour complexity.

[greenpimp]

Rob turned me on to these cigars. Lovely smoke.

[bolivr]

I'm about to dip a toe into the RGs with a box of panetelas extra. Are these merely distant cousins of the lonsdales? or a worthy introduction?

Mike

[mkz]

I'm about to dip a toe into the RGs with a box of panetelas extra. Are these merely distant cousins of the lonsdales? or a worthy introduction?

The Panetelas Extra is one of my favourite mild-cheap-quick-smokes. IMO they are a good buy although some tend to have a tight-ass-draw.

[josie67]

These were discontinued at the end of 2005, thank goodness I still have 7 boxes left

[Stalebread]

I enjoy these when they draw well . . . or at all. I'm working on a box from '01. After dealing with several tight draws, I took out a dozen and clipped the caps on all of them and did my own "draw testing." Most were too tight to smoke. I put them back in the singles drawer clipped. I don't know if that will eventually lead to a better draw or not but I'm not willing to give up on these. They can be a rewarding, flavorful, even elegant cigar.