The Rafael Gonzalez Perlas is a Cuban beauty, a medium-full bodied Petit Corona, 4″ (102mm) long, of 40 ring gauge, and comes in a 25 cigars box. One of the most recent cigars of the Rafael Gonzalez lineup, (released in 2011), and is a pretty short smoke, perfect for a morning break. Its construction is great; it’s perfectly rolled and feels nice between the fingers. It smokes beautifully, rather slowly and has a nice creamy profile but also develops some powerful woody aromas. There are also some creamy aromas, some coffee, some spices from pepper and some berries touches. The finish is long, with vanilla and some floral aftertaste. Overall, it is a great little smoke that can age very well and evolve into an even more mellow profile.

Rafael Gonzalez Perlas

The Rafael Gonzalez Perlas is an exquisite medium to full cigar that deserves more fame.

• • • Pretty complex cigar, with powerful woody flavors, coffee, pepper and delicious fruits.
  • • Despite its young age, this cigar has a great ageing potential.

This cigar is simply a great everyday smoke.

Rafael Gonzalez Perlas Presentation

The Rafael Gonzalez Perlas – 25 cigars comes in a dress box with Habanos Packing Code CB-UW-C/L-12,13-n-25

Rafael Gonzalez Perlas Dimensions:

Length: 102 mm

Diameter: 15.87 mm

Ring gauge: 40

Shape: Petit Corona

Rafael Gonzalez Perlas Appearance:

The cigar is looking great and inviting. The wrapper has a nice dark color, a Colorado Maduro. There is a slight sheen of oil on the wrapper, it is also very smooth. Just couples of veins are visible. The cigar is pretty firm between the fingers.

Rafael Gonzalez Perlas Smoking Notes:

Before lighting up

The wrapper smells of musk, barnyard. There is also some sweetness from toasted nuts and floral notes.

Burn/ Draw

Once cut, the draw is good, just a bit on the tight side. The draw at cold tastes of typical Habano mild tobacco. Upon lighting up the cigar, the first flavors to reach the palate are of dark coffee, dark chocolate, toasted tobacco. There is also some roasted hazelnuts, and floral notes, of roses and orchids. Great start, very delicious. The cigar is light to medium body for now. The burn line is a bit wavy, but will correct itself. The ashes are gray and holding on very well.

Initial third:

The first third of the cigar is mostly woody, smoky oak. There is also a lot of tobacco, some barnyard notes, and slight notes of white pepper. Here and there, the floral notes are more noticeable, alongside with some fruit notes, and notes of leather. Overall, the first third is medium to full range in terms of strength.

Middle third:

In the middle third, the dominant flavors are still of wood and black coffee. The toasted tobacco is also still present, as well as the white pepper. However, the fruit touch fades away, but some hint of vanilla and sweet milk are noticeable. The body and the flavor of the cigar are still in the medium range.

Final third:

In the final third, the flavor profile doesn’t evolve much from the previous third, still a lot of wood, and coffee. However, there are also some beautiful herbal notes from times to times, also some spices, black pepper mostly, some toast like aromas. The fruitiness makes a comeback, with some berries and plums. The cigar is still oscillating between medium and full body. There are also a lot of smoky notes of burnt coffee, smoked wood, a bit of tar and earthiness.

In summary, it is a great little smoke. Despite its young age, it is delicious and has a good potential for ageing.

Rafael Gonzalez Perlas Smoking time:

25 – 40 Minutes