Rafael Gonzalez Perlas Cigar - 1 Single

Date Added: Tuesday 07 June, 2016 by Staff

It’s early evening, and my cigar of choice is the Rafael Gonzalez Perlas – at 4 inches in length and 42 ring gauge, it promises to be a 30-40 minute smoke, and my hopes are high for this little fella, based on other reviews. So, time to settle down in the smoking salon (i.e. garage), pop Dark Side of The Moon onto the stereo and settle back with the Rafa and a nice glass of rum.

The Rafa’s wrapper speaks to me – flawless and rich – I can hardly wait to get stuck into this gem of a cigar. The initial aroma is subtle and enticing. The pre-light draw is not the easiest I’ve had, but not bad by any means, and it hints at coffee and hay.

The cigar lights easily and evenly, and that first breath is a delight – almost immediately I get coffee and creaminess that herald a light and tranquil smoke. The draw is a little on the heavy side, but it certainly won’t cause any brain damage, and I’m getting plenty of smoke.

The taste of the Rafa is developing nicely – it’s rounding out and drifting from a light to a medium bodied smoke, and I’m getting a lovely bitter chocolate flavour. The dense cylinder of white-grey ash is holding nicely, and the burn is beautifully even, with no touching up necessary.

I’m a third of the way through the smoke and I realise, as a delicious woody aspect begins to develop to join the creaminess and chocolate, that time is likely to be my only problem - I don’t want this tremendous little cigar to end!

We are getting on for twenty-five minutes, and we have the first ash drop. The Rafa’s glowing heart is revealed, and the first draw subsequent to the drop brings a delightfully intense tingle of pepperiness to the experience.

The second half of the Rafa proves to be as consistent as the first – no great complexity, just a lovely gentle smoke with enough variation to keep the palate interested. It’s a real shame when I finally have to say goodbye to it, fingertips burning and less than an inch left – thank goodness I have another four in the humidor!

This cigar eclipses most other small vitolas I’ve experienced, holds its own against the Montecristo No.5, and for me represents real value for money in a small Cuban.