Rafael Gonzalez Perlas Cigar - 1 Single

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.

Perfect draw, burn and construction. Lasted a full 45 minutes. Wonderful flavours all the way down. Slight nicotine "hit," at the end but that was probably my fault for smoking it almost until it burnt my fingers. Didn't want to put this one down.

These Perlas are really quite deceptive, initially, hints of sweet hay, developing into more complex citrus/cocoa flavours. An even easy draw, with a consistent burn, not a hint of excessive heat towards the end, finally a deep chocolate flavour. All noted by previous reviewers, but in varying degrees, as I have found to my pleasure. I can see why these have been given several awards, and deservedly so! A thoroughly enjoyable 45 minutes taken with a good Columbian coffee.

A slow burner with a woody taste throughout. Pale smoke with first third notes of coconut cream, biscuit and lemon meringue (a subtle citrus spritz). Second third changed dramatically towards more darker fruit - plum crumble (again with the biscuit, this time with a hint of hazelnut). A great pudding cigar which is best smoked to the point where the flavours disappear, sometime into the last third.

Divine right from the start, my favourite so far, though I have only just started, lasted me a good 45 minutes and I only put it down because it was burning me. I got a lovely creamy chocolate to start with changing into a woody flavour with hints of spice. I will definitely be getting some more of these, build is excellent, not too tight and easy draw, a delight to smoke. I had a glass of sangria which (for me) was nice and complemented it well, again this is a personal choice, I thought a whiskey might over power it. I'm still learning so don't judge me too harshly, cigars I'm finding are a very personal experience and this one was delightful. I can't sing its praises enough and for the price even a Yorkshire man like myself can't complain.