What a pleasure to be presented such a rare and exciting cigar to smoke and review. This cigar, Rafael Gonzalez Coronas Extra,  was discontinued in 2010 and I am still wondering why they would discontinue this type of vitola (Grand Corona) from the Rafael Gonzalez label…To my personal taste these are some of the more enjoyable cigars to have in hand and smoke.

That being said, the cigar size is 143 mm in length X 46 mm ring gauge coming in boxes of 25 and as you can see on the back of the box it dates back to February 2008. So let’s get back to business and light up this beauty!!

The beginning

The cigar lights up perfectly and I have to say the draw was perfect right from the start. In the past, I found aged cigars to have a tight draw which some will say unpleasant but not for me. I kind of enjoy these slow burning slow smoking experiences.

The start of this habano is giving me some woody and herbaceous notes. Then the sweet tobacco notes kick in but you can taste its sweet aged tobacco…interesting because its my first aged cigar that has such a discerning taste. Followed closely by nutty notes of toasted hazelnut. So far, it’s a very mild smoke, light and no pepperiness at all . My first impression is ok but I was expecting more complexity out of this coronas extra from the start.

The middle

So far there hasn’t been much of an evolution to the cigar. The complexity is pretty much the same…disappointing. The flavours have slightly concentrated but nothing amazing. I must say I was expecting more out of this when it was presented to me. On the other hand, the draw and pleasure of smoking the stick is really perfect. The draw is not overly tight, I also tried a v cut to help on the draw for this one.

Thinking it would maybe help, I even made myself an espresso to see if it was going to help the cigar complexity and length on the mouth feel. Which it slightly did, but still not as expected.

The end

Finally!!! I am getting some more concentration on the body and flavours of the cigar. The sweet aged tobacco notes are mixing up with some woody notes and a nice nuttiness towards the end of the mouthfeel. I am wishing it would have had this taste from the start. I feel like it flatlined all the way through until it got to the end. The draw and the smoke are still very nice and are maintaining perfectly. I only had to relight it once, kind of got interrupted during the smoke but that happens! Still nothing harsh to it, no pepperiness was felt during the whole smoke. The wrapper started to break up towards the end of the cigar, but it held up and I was able to finish the smoke.

The conclusion

I have some mixed reviews on this cigar, this is my first vintage aged cigar that didn’t bring me an entire satisfaction. Feels like it flat lined the whole way threw the end and then when I taught it was over it showed up to the plate. I know Rafael Gonzalez produces a milder cigar, and I truly enjoy the brand and the style. What disappointed me was the lack of complexity and flavours, not that the cigar wasn’t good or anything I just felt like it never really evolved and developed its full potential. Just not what I had in mind for such a reputed habano. Nonetheless, it was a good enjoyable and easy smoke. The draw and burning of the cigar were good from the start to the finish. I guess I was just expecting more…

What would I recommend for this Coronas Extra? Enjoying it with your morning espresso during a hot summer day on the terrasse or has an afternoon smoke during those late September fall days while enjoying a good walk in one of the beautiful wild forest our province has to offer.

Cheers,

Simon-Pierre Bailly-Vallée