Rafael Gonzales Coronas Extra

[Kangaroo495]

Continuing my week of "firsts" (cigars I've never smoked before), picked this one up last night. Shouldn't really be putting this review here, as any smart person would keep this cigar a secret...

Construction: Perrrrrrfect! No veins, no blemishes. Firm. Oily. 10/10

Aroma: Couldn't pick up much of a pre light aroma

Lit it up: Nice Cuban tobacco smell.

1st third: Lashes of chocolate and top quality tobacco. Medium body

2nd third: Much of the same, with a slight intensification of tobacco and other flavours which I cannot describe (as this is my first one, I'm not yet familiar with these nuiances)

3rd third: Chocolate faded, turned into a crunchy, toasty, tobacco flavour bomb. Smoked until the last centtmetres. The cigar retained the same medium body throughout the entire length NEVER getting harsh

Burn: Absolutely perfect. no touch ups. Beautiful white ash.

Conclusion: Brilliant, tasty, should be paired with water, as even the coffee I was drinking got a little bit too powerful for the cigar.

Score: 92. Could've been a bit more evolution of flavours and complexity, but the smoking experience was memorable.

This should be a benchmark to which all CCs should aspire.

(PS: Sorry for being so brief. Havig not tried a RG before, I found it tough to thoroughly describe the taste, but the cigar was definitely deserving of a review)

[cigarros]

Thank you for sharing, Roger! I have a box of these cigars in my humi. I have a habit usually to write down my sensations under smoking and already have tasted some cigars from this box.

Hope when I'll smoke the following I'll make another one review with picks. Ok?

[thechenman]

Kanga...thanks for the review. I have a few of these sticks but haven't gotten around to them yet. Looking forward to them now.

[dicko]

thanks kanga. never really have RG's any thought (slowly making my way through the habanos brands), this sounds like a ripper though!

[jfury76]

Nice review. My only experience with this marca came in the form of one box of Panetelas Extra that were very light in color (claro) and almost plugged. Consequently, I save them for my enemies to struggle with. The PE is triple corta with short filler, which, of course, has a lot to do with the draw issues.

[MontrealRon]

Thanks for the review of an old favorite.

These were my first love among Cubans,

but, fool that I was (and still am),

I turned away towards the more exciting, powerful blends,

looking for cheap thrills.

Yet, search as I might, I have not been able to re-capture

that finesse, that deep well of flavour,

that ultimate satisfaction.

How could I have forsaken thee, o Coronas Extra?

[mash]

Thanks for the review. These are a great, underrated cigar. I have a box from Aug. '06 that are just stellar.

[MontrealRon]

Just sent off my first order from Czar.

Guess what it was...

[Kangaroo495]

Just sent off my first order from Czar.

Guess what it was...

lol. Well done mate. They're fantastic. Make sure they send you a particularly good box. I guess the quality can vary for some dates etc...

[jquest63]

Great review! Although not for everyone, RGCE is one of my faves.

[PigFish]

Sounds like an '01. I love these... Get 'em while you can or save'm for me!!! I honestly think that these are better than the Boli, and I love the Boli. -Piggy

[Jimmy2]

Have 01 which very good but ask for the 08's as they are off the hook just excellant tons of flavor the 08's that is..