Rafael González Cuban Cigars - Models, Tasting Notes & Ratings
Tasting Notes, Ratings, Brand & Vitola Information regarding Rafael González. Information on the Petit Coronas, Perlas, Panatelas Extras & more.
| Year Founded: | 1928 |
|---|---|
| Strength: | 2 out of 5. |
| Flavours: | Vegetal |
Rafael González Brand History
The Rafael González brand is most famous for originally releasing the Lonsdale size. The size was named in honour of Hugh Cecil Lowther, the Fifth Earl of Lonsdale.
Rafael González Flavour Profile
I find the Rafael González brand to be medium in body, with chocolate, roasted nuts & tea overtones. All three Cigars in the Rafael González portfolio, although are small in size, are well worth checking out. I find that their price point and good construction to be a huge positive for the brand.
Coronas Extra and 2000 construction quality
During the period of the early 2000's where construction seem to have blighted many of the Cuban brands, I found one Cigar that was most badly hit was the Rafael González Coronas Extra. I have found from smoking many sticks from different boxes from that period to have draw problems.
Current Production
One of the smallest Regular Production Cigars available, the Panatelas Extra contains all the hallmarks of a Rafael González, light to medium bodied, with a mixture of coffee and tea.
| Factory Name: | Vegueritos | Ring Gauge: | 36 | Length (mm): | 127mm |
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| Packaging Type | Launch Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dress Box of 25 | Unknown |
Although released circa October 2011, the Rafael González Perlas have only been available so far in Spain. Currently the Perlas retails for around €2.50 a Cigar. No doubt the price point is very popular with smokers as the word is that they have been selling well.
I was in fact surprised when Habanos SA decided to release the Perlas as part of the Rafael González brand, as the line had took a beating in the last ten years, with the Lonsdale, Corona Extras & Panatelas being discontinued.
| Factory Name: | Perlas | Ring Gauge: | 40 | Length (mm): | 102mm |
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| Packaging Type | Launch Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dress Box of 25 | 2011 | First released in Spain, October 2011. |
| Cardboard packs of 5 of 5 | 2013 | To my knowledge, the first region to offer cardboard five packs of the Rafael Gonzalez Perlas for sale was the United Kingdom, in the last week of January 2013. |
Petit Coronas
| Factory Name: | Marevas | Ring Gauge: | 42 | Length (mm): | 129mm |
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Regional Edition
Petit Pirámides
The first Regional Edition to be announced for 2013, the Petit Piramides will be the first Regional Edition released under the Rafael Gonzalez brand. The La Casa del Habano in Düsseldorf were the first to announce this release in mid February 2013.
| Factory Name: | Petit Pirámides | Ring Gauge: | 50 | Length (mm): | 127mm |
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| Packaging Type | Launch Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TBA | 2013 |
