Rafael González Coronas Extra Vintage 2003
A Coronas Gordas that is almost 20 years old.
As we mentioned in our article dedicated to the Rafael González brand, its catalogue now offers only three vitolas in regular production. In the past, the latter offered up to thirteen different cigars. Today we offer you a taste of one of these cigars from the past: the Rafael González Coronas Extra in Vintage 2003.
Alongside the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1, Punch Punch Punch and H. Upmann Magnum 46, it is one of the oldest Coronas Gordas (46 x 143 mm) produced in Cuba. The difference is that these are still in production today.
Indeed, the Rafael González Coronas Extra entered production at the launch of brand and was discontinued in 2010. According to catalogues dating from the 1970s, its measurements have changed slightly over the course of its career. At that time it was listed with a cepo of 48 and a length of 140 mm.
Its relatively long career has allowed it to conquer the hearts of connoisseurs. Indeed, the brand itself being relatively unknown to the general public, the Coronas Extra remained in the shadow of its congeners, produced by the more widely distributed brands. It has, however, acquired its own circle of loyal fans, including us.
Let's revive our memories by tasting one of them, rolled in 2003 and carefully preserved in our humidor since.
All brands considered, the Coronas Gordas is a particularly pleasant vitola to hold. Our Rafael González Coronas Extra is no exception.
Dressed in a beautiful Colorado wrapper, slightly tarnished by time and showing a few veins, it offers the plasticity of a vintage cigar carefully preserved over the years.
As for the finish of the head and foot, it shows a careful construction. To the touch, the filler seems uniform and flawless.
The raw draw offers us sweet aromas, difficult to identify, which evolve on a background of soft tobacco, one of the characteristics of the brand's cigars. This sweetness has undoubtedly been reinforced by the years, let's check...
Surprisingly, the Coronas Extra calls out to us immediately after lighting up with frank, rustic, almost bitter tobacco flavours. A hint of milk chocolate quickly balances the whole, and the rest looks good.
A few puffs later, woody and herbaceous notes make their appearance. The tobacco taste seems to return to its raw sweetness level, we are indeed in the presence of a vintage cigar.
We reach the halfway point of the tasting and we are delighted with the beautiful chocolate notes that take over, embellished by hints of cedar that make brief appearances in a random fashion.
So far the draw is exemplary and offers a beautiful light grey, perfectly streaked ash.
The chocolate is truly omnipresent, this is reinforced by a slight sweet taste left on the lips. What a treat!
The last third offers no real evolution and is content to prolong our snack with the appearance of vanilla and hazelnut notes. Don't take this as a criticism, this Coronas Extra is a really generous cigar. Its simplicity makes it easy to enjoy. There is no need to accompany your tea time with a pastry, it is just as delicious and will offer you just as much comfort, all wrapped up in a silky smooth smoke.
Tasted slowly, it will accompany you for about an hour. Tasted too quickly, it would probably not have as much to offer.
The Coronas Extra is a fine ambassador for the brand. It truly embodies the quintessence of what a Rafael González cigar can offer. A little-known cigar that deserves to remain so, so that its followers can enjoy it for as long as possible.
It is fortunate that there are still small, timeless brands, unaffected by fashion and which, above all, offer us real nuggets.
RAFAEL GONZÁLEZ Coronas Extra - Vintage 2003 - Box of 25
Vitola: Coronas Gordas (46 x 143 mm)
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