As the title states, this is my first review here on BOTL so bear with me. I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I want to thank Eddie (shadowcam) for this wonderful smoke, I am excited to get started.
Rafael Gonzalez Perlas
Size: 4x40
Country of Origin: Cuba
Box Date: Feb 2012
Drink: Iced Coffee
I gotta start off by saying that I was planning to let this one rest a little but we had a beautiful morning here in New Jersey and this cigar was calling my name.
Construction: Very nice looking cigar with a chocolate colored wrapper. Packed well all the way through with a little give. Some small veins throughout but nothing major. A beautiful cap on this cigar; I almost don't want to cut it. Almost... This cigar just looks delicious.
Pre-light: Has the signature 'barnyard' aroma off the foot that I've grown fond of. Easy cut through the cap and the cold draw has just enough resistance but seams to be kind of flavorless. The only slight flavor I'm getting is that of a young cigar.
1/3 - This cigar took almost no effort to light. I was toasting the foot for about 5 seconds and before I knew it, it was fully lit. Some young tobacco right off the bat. About 1/2 inch in it is starting to settle down, showing a nice earthy flavor with a light peppery undertone. The burn is nice and straight for the most part, needing no touch ups so far.
2/3 - I must say, this cigar pairs perfect with a cup of coffee. They play off each other so nicely. The youthfulness of the first third is now drifting away and a nice chocolate flavor with a touch of coffee and spice on the retrohale. The strength has been a solid medium so far and the burn continues to be nice and even only getting a little wavy at times.
3/3 - More earth comes through and the spice on the retrohale is now completely gone. The smoothness of this cigar is amazing given how young it is. The cigar finishes off at a medium body but the flavor gained intensity in the final third.
Total Smoking time: Just around 45 minutes
Final Thoughts: Considering this cigar is only about 4 months old I was pleasantly suprised. It has good aging potential and I think it will be great with about 3-5 years on it. I would definitely purchase more of these given the opportunity. The only negative of this cigar was that it ended too soon! I didn't want to put it down but as I was nubbing it the flavor started to get a little harsh. Overall a great smoke that I would gladly add to my rotation.
I hope you all get something out of my review, I plan to add some more in the future!
Rafael Gonzalez Perlas
Size: 4x40
Country of Origin: Cuba
Box Date: Feb 2012
Drink: Iced Coffee
I gotta start off by saying that I was planning to let this one rest a little but we had a beautiful morning here in New Jersey and this cigar was calling my name.
Construction: Very nice looking cigar with a chocolate colored wrapper. Packed well all the way through with a little give. Some small veins throughout but nothing major. A beautiful cap on this cigar; I almost don't want to cut it. Almost... This cigar just looks delicious.
Pre-light: Has the signature 'barnyard' aroma off the foot that I've grown fond of. Easy cut through the cap and the cold draw has just enough resistance but seams to be kind of flavorless. The only slight flavor I'm getting is that of a young cigar.
1/3 - This cigar took almost no effort to light. I was toasting the foot for about 5 seconds and before I knew it, it was fully lit. Some young tobacco right off the bat. About 1/2 inch in it is starting to settle down, showing a nice earthy flavor with a light peppery undertone. The burn is nice and straight for the most part, needing no touch ups so far.
2/3 - I must say, this cigar pairs perfect with a cup of coffee. They play off each other so nicely. The youthfulness of the first third is now drifting away and a nice chocolate flavor with a touch of coffee and spice on the retrohale. The strength has been a solid medium so far and the burn continues to be nice and even only getting a little wavy at times.
3/3 - More earth comes through and the spice on the retrohale is now completely gone. The smoothness of this cigar is amazing given how young it is. The cigar finishes off at a medium body but the flavor gained intensity in the final third.
Total Smoking time: Just around 45 minutes
Final Thoughts: Considering this cigar is only about 4 months old I was pleasantly suprised. It has good aging potential and I think it will be great with about 3-5 years on it. I would definitely purchase more of these given the opportunity. The only negative of this cigar was that it ended too soon! I didn't want to put it down but as I was nubbing it the flavor started to get a little harsh. Overall a great smoke that I would gladly add to my rotation.
I hope you all get something out of my review, I plan to add some more in the future!
