Christmas Corona Gordas, Day 10: Rafael Gonzalez Corona Extra

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

The menu for day 10 of the Corona Gorda reviews dictates that tonight’s smoke will be a discontinued gorda from Rafael Gonzalez, the Corona Extra. Rafael Gonzalez is one of the smallest brands of Habanos SA, with only two cigars in regular production in 2011, and a third vitola scheduled to be released early this year. The Corona Extra was “deleted” from regular production only a couple of years ago, in 2012. Although called Corona Extra, this vitola is actually a corona gorda, with a ring gauge of 46 rather than the 44 in the Bolivar Corona Extra. It does not seem to have too much age on it, I would assume two to four years maximum. I have had some delicious cigars from this marca, with the Lonsdale being one of my favourites, but I have also had plenty of Rafael Gonzalez that were as tight as broomsticks! Let’s hope this is not going to be the case this time.

The Rafael Gonzalez Corona Extra has a dry, light coloured claro wrapper, which has very few veins and a well constructed, rounded triple cap. The bunch is firm and consistent throughout the whole body of the cigar, with mild aromas of tea emerging from its foot. Quick snip with the guillotine cutter and the cigar draw feels tight. Shall I start worrying? Lets light it up and see how it smokes.

The initial impressions are pleasant. Sweet flavours, with brown sugar, raisins and some coffee on the finish. The body is mild to medium and the Corona Extra is very tame so far. No bold flavours, not edgy or harsh, it is smooth with a pleasing sweet profile. But it is tight; it takes quite an effort trying to smoke it and even when you do try, there is not too much excitement. A little wood, earth and cinnamon are breaking the sweetness on the finish. This Rafael Gonzales doesn’t burst with complexity so far.

In the second third the Corona Extra gets slightly stronger. The body is now medium and the sweet honey flavours are closely followed by some woodiness and a little spice on the finish. It is not only the draw that is troublesome now, but the burn also. it requires several touch ups to get going. The ash has a light grey colour, a firm texture and falls off before reaching an inch in length. I am hoping it is going to open up soon…

The last third comes in and the Corona Extra is still not drawing well… The continuous relighting has created a charcoaly, almost carbon flavour which has covered the sweet profile the cigar had on the first few draws. It is no more enjoyable and gets early rest, just as it entered the last third. I hate putting down a cigar before I even take the label out, but if there is no enjoyment, I suppose it has to be done…

It is not the first time I have smoked a Rafael Gonzalez which had burn issues. Unfortunately, it is a common occurrence, especially on aged sticks. Although this cigar was not that old, it seemed that it escaped the Drawmaster when it was rolled. It is a pity, as I like the sweet blend Rafael Gonzalez cigars have. I have had better Corona Extras but I am afraid I will have to score this cigar low. Its only consolation was that it showed some character on the first and second third, which would have been even better had the combustion helped it. 3 stars for the Rafael Gonzalez Corona Extra, but I will revisit it again soon, hoping to get one that will smoke better.

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