Rafael Gonzalez Coronas de Lonsdales - 10 cigars

Rafael Gonzalez Coronas de Lonsdales [5” x 48]

Newly released, this cigar appeals to all cigar enthusiasts

• • Medium bodied cigar with typical Cuban flavors and body profile throughout
• • Spectacular & complex it offers an amazing smoking experience
  

Great pick for its price and even better potential for aging

Presentation:

The Rafael Gonzalez Coronas de Lonsdales comes in a semi boîte nature box of 10 cigars. Habanos packing code SBN-UW-n-10-n-10

Dimensions:

Length: 127 mm (5 inches)

Ring Gauge: 48

Shape: 

Corona Extra

Appearance:

The Rafael Gonzalez Coronas de Lonsdales boasts dimensions close to a Robusto, measuring 48 ring gauge by 5 inches, making it thicker than your typical Corona cigar. This vitola, known as Hermosos No.4, is shared by esteemed counterparts like the El Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme and the Vegas Robaina Famosos, offering a range of comparable cigars to explore.

It looks incredibly appealing with its glossy, oily sheen and flawless medium-brown wrapper. The Colorado wrapper is impeccably smooth with minimal seams and veins, enhancing its overall visual appeal. The bands received a makeover last year, adding to the overall attractiveness of the cigar.

Smoking Notes:

Before lighting up

The wrapper emanates classic Cuban cigar aromas, predominantly of hay and tobacco.

Burn/ Draw

Following a precise cut, the draw is exceptionally smooth and satisfying.

Initial third:

The initial draw is simply spectacular, exuding an incredibly floral and quintessentially Cuban essence right from the start. The flavor profile is rich with nuttiness, complemented by a pronounced honeyed tone and subtle hints of spice and earthiness, creating a beautifully complex and well-balanced experience reminiscent of the finest Cuban cigars. As the cigar progresses, the complexity deepens, with notes of aged tobacco and leather emerging alongside a growing spiciness. The finish is delightfully long, leaving behind lingering traces of nuttiness, woodiness, and tobacco sweetness on the palate. The sweetness is pronounced but harmoniously balanced by a bouquet of floral notes, making for a truly exquisite smoking experience. The strength of the cigar hovers around a medium level, with a nuanced interplay of flavors unfolding on both the retrohale and palate, ranging from tobacco richness to subtle sweetness and a touch of bitterness. Overall, it's a journey of evolving flavors and sensations that promises an exceptional smoking experience from start to finish.

The construction of this cigar is flawless, exhibiting perfection in every detail. The draw is absolutely ideal, yielding abundant smoke with each puff. Taking a few draws from the cigar is a delightful experience, thanks to its generous smoke production and effortlessly open draw. The retrohale enhances the tasting experience, allowing for a rich array of flavors to be savored through the nose. The burn line remains razor-sharp throughout, with no signs of uneven burning, tunneling, or canoeing—testament to the exceptional craftsmanship of this Cuban cigar. Remarkably, despite being only eight months old, it smokes with exceptional quality and finesse.

Middle third:

The cigar begins with a predominant tobacco flavor accompanied by subtle hints of sweetness. As it progresses through the first third, the palate reveals a blend of cedar and tobacco, with the retrohale offering echoes of cedar alongside faint sweetness and floral undertones. This profile persists into the second third, characterized by a consistent woody finish on the palate and a scenic tobacco retrohale.

Towards the middle of the cigar, the floral and honey notes become more pronounced, though the dominant woody character remains intact. However, there is a subtle shift towards a darker dried fruit profile, adding depth to the sweetness. The cigar retains its enjoyable qualities but takes on a slightly earthier tone, with hints of oak and darker wood contributing to its complexity. The flavors intensify, with prominent notes of chocolate, cacao, and espresso coffee reminiscent of a full-bodied tiramisu. Additionally, hints of candied fruit and herbaceous elements begin to emerge, further enriching the flavor profile of the Coronas de Lonsdales.

The burn is impeccable thus far, complementing the overall perfection of this cigar. I'm genuinely delighted by its quality—it's truly magnificent, displaying remarkable balance and harmony among its flavors. The blending is expertly done, ensuring each flavor complements the others without overshadowing them. This is an immensely enjoyable smoke; however, the only downside is its tendency to extinguish a bit quicker than desired.

Final third:

In terms of flavor, the notes have remained consistent. The woodiness has tapered down slightly in this final third, giving way to a very earthy, heavy Cuban twang. This Cuban twang has been accentuated towards the end, becoming more pronounced than before. Additionally, there's a resurgence of floral hints, accompanied by herbal tones, coffee notes and an increase in dark fruit flavors. Despite these changes, the sweetness still lingers on the finish, which remains super long, clear, and notably devoid of any bitterness or harshness, even at this late stage. It's a beautiful experience from start to finish.

As the cigar nears its end, the flavors continue to evolve, with a slight uptick in strength. Spices become more noticeable on the palate, though they remain mellow and well-balanced. Notes of cacao powder, nuts, and dried/candied fruits persist, with the chocolate undertones becoming increasingly prominent.

Overall, this cigar is incredibly well-balanced and impressively complex. It's simply outstanding, bordering on perfection. In terms of construction, it is of very good quality once more as there is no need for any touch-ups; it's been flawless from start to finish. The construction has been spot-on throughout the smoking experience.

In summary: the Rafael Gonzalez Lonsdales can appeal to any cigar enthusiast. The flavor notes and body profile it presents are delicious from start to finish. This cigar has proven to be quite spectacular and genuinely amazing. With only a little bit of aging, it already exhibits remarkable complexity and natural sweetness throughout, making it a beautiful addition to any cigar collection. Its lighter profile also makes it versatile, pairing well with coffee or white wine.

Smoking time:

60 minutes – 80 minutes