Reviews
Date Added: Tuesday 07 June, 2016
Reviewed by Joe Gellman (27th November 2000)
Some time ago I did a tasting note on this cigar. I was moderately enthusiastic about the selection I bought from C.GARS Ltd. Over the past several months I have been gifted, have traded, and have bought, other RASS. The following is an updated review of these cigars.
This brand and vitola are some of the best Cuba has to offer. There are, however, differences in almost all aspects of this cigar, depending on where it is bought and how old it is. All cigars were at least 6 months old and one was two-years old. The samples tasted were from C.GARS Ltd, Switzerland, Spain, and Germany. Each cigar was laid to rest at least 60 days before tasting in my humidor. The settings in this particular humidor were 66/66, and I keep my best cigars in it.
The sample from C.GARS Ltd and from Germany were the best of the lot. The ones from C.GARS Ltd were 50 x 4 7/8 and the German, 50 x 5. Each weighed 11g. The German selection was two-years old and C.GARS Ltd's were 8 months old. This vitola was originally produced for Hunters & Frankau, the UK im
Date Added: Tuesday 07 June, 2016
This was another straight forward review, although a bit lacking in character and detail. Taster covered all the expected points, but it could have had greater depth.
Rated 8/10
Rated by Frodo
I am not a fan of the Cigar Aficionado scoring/tasting method, though it does encourage a thorough analysis and description of the cigar under review. This review is a good example. It is straight-forward and prosaic.
Score: 8/10
Reviewed by Van55
Good, straightforward cigar review. Would have liked a little more prose included (the environment, any drink pairing, etc).
Rating: 8/10
Reviewed by James R aka John Shaft
OVERALL SCORE: 24/30
Date Added: Tuesday 07 June, 2016
Reviewed by Colin Flynn (July 2003)
Appearance and Construction - 12
There was a big splotch under the band, and a messy looking cap. The prelight draw was smooth, and the smell was nice, but the taste was a bit bland.
Flavor - 24
The first draw was strong and easrthy, with a peppery note - very pleasing. Strong notes of pepper appeared early on, and a bit of anise was noticeable.
1" - A sort of dry, blackberry taste was apparent, something altogether new to me, and very pleasing. Notes of leather, and toasty tastes were also present.
1.75" - The pepper taste is starting to show as a trend, and is very tasty, forcefully presenting itself.
2" - Hints of cocoa are present, and will be displayed mildly throughout.
3" - Pepper is once again dominating, with a distinctly tasty and complex aftertaste on the tip of the tongue. The finish displayed very nice notes of dry, nutty flavors. This was a very tasty cigar, and, so far, the tastiest i have had all year.
Smoking Characteristics - 24
Draw is slightly tight at the beginning, making it a bit hard to get a full mou
Date Added: Tuesday 07 June, 2016
Reviewed by Bill Fode (July 2000)
I was provided three Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas. They all three arrived in great condition. Two of the three were a slight darker brown then the other one. They all had varying sized sun spots on them. I let them sit in the dor for about a week and a half before smoking them.
I smoked them three nights consecutively. One I smoked with a nice glass of port, one with a pint of stout, and one with a glass of HC7. The port complimented the cigar the best.
All three cigars were very well constructed. There were no soft or hard spots. The pre-light draw was excellent on all three of them. The burn was also excellent.
I have never smoked one of these cigars before so I have nothing to compare it to. To me, they seemed young and that more time was needed in the dor to age some. I was able to detect the earthy flavor of the traditional Cuban cigar, and also picked up hints of honey. The cigars were one dimensional with a dry and very short finish and mild in body.
I wish I had some to age a while and then make a comparison.
Thanks ag
Date Added: Tuesday 07 June, 2016
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
Date Added: Saturday 14 May, 2016
An excellent cigar. Plenty of power but I would suggest accessible to all but the faintest heart. My last one had an erratic burn which was hopefully a one off but it didn't spoil the enjoyment of this top quality cigar. I pick up something vaguely perfumy but in a good tobacco way. I would buy a box for the humidor. Recommended!
