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Rafael Gonzalez Panetela Extra Review

1.8K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  The Professor  
#1 ·
I’ve never bothered to keep a journal of what I smoke, seldom take notes or do any sort of a review. On the rare occasions I’m lucky enough to have a memorable smoke, I just mentally file the experience away. I recognize a cigar I enjoy today I may not enjoy tomorrow, so I’m hesitant to recommend or document.

However, I just had a pleasant enough smoke that I’m going to break with tradition here. I finished up a little yard work, and wanted a fairly quick smoke to sit for a bit and relax with. Nothing came to mind, so I rummaged around and came up with one I had yet to try. The sacrifice was to be a Rafael Gonzalez Panetela Extra that was a year and a half old. These aren't too big, with a RG of 37.

I figured it good for a half hour, and didn’t honestly expect much. It had a firm spot near the foot, which didn’t bode well. I punched it, and although it seemed to have a rather firm draw, it didn’t seem too bad, so I fired her up.

By the third puff, I was hit with totally unexpected sweetness. Not honey or caramel sweet, but sugar sweet. I was drinking a good sized cup of French Roast, and what a great combination! The sweetness continued through the first and second third of the cigar. Not a lot of smoke, but the draw loosened up and it kept a decent if not razor sharp burn. Needed no touch up, and never went out even when I let her sit for a couple of minutes. At some point here I kind of lost track of time.

By the time I hit the last third, things suddenly turned spicy, and then a bit harsh. Purging took care of the harshness, and the remainder settled in to an earthiness, with remaining hints of the sweetness.

My half hour smoke turned out to be about an hour.

Considering the price of admission, I felt I got quite a ride out of this one. If this is typical of this particular cigar, I just may have to make some more room in the humi.
 
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#3 ·
Re: Rafael Gonzalez Panetela Extra

Thanks for the review, Bill. Smoking a 2004 vintage of one of these. Decided to hit it as a morning smoke (a rare luxury for me) with a decent cup of Columbian Peaberry. Sweet, tangy, and goes *perfectly* with a cup of coffee. I think it'd be a good, refreshing afternoon smoke, too. I'm smitten, to tell you the truth. More are definitely on the horizon ... but I'm wondering (a) what the cutoff/year was for the transition to totally hand made and (b) how the different vintages are smoking. Anyone want to chime in?
 
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