A few weeks back, I was contacted by a boutique cigar company based out of the Chicagoland area known as Don Rafa Cigars. The company has a premium line (Don Rafa Premium) and a flavored line (Don Rafa Sweets) in their portfolio. Knowing I am more into premium cigars, they sent me some samples of their premium line in a variety of vitolas. The premium line comes in Habano and San Andres blends. For this review, I sampled the Don Rafa Habano expressed in a 5 x 50 robusto vitola.
The blend of the Don Rafa Premium Habano is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Habano DeFlorado
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan
The Don Rafa Premium Habano is expressed in 7 vitolas:
- Robusto (5 x 50) MSRP $6.99 packaged in box of 20
- Toro (6 x 54) MSRP $8.99 packaged in box of 20
- Corona Gorda (6 x 56) MSRP $9.99 packaged in box of 20
- Torpedo (6 1/2 X 52) MSRP $9.99 packaged in box of 20
- Gran Toro (6 x 60) MSRP $9.99 packaged in box of 20
- Wild Hog (5 x 70) MSRP $10.99 packaged in box of 24
- Fat Back (4 1/2 x 60) MSRP $11.99 packaged in box of 12 limited release
As noted, I sampled the Don Rafa Premium Habano robusto for this review.
Pre-Light Examination
The Don Rafa Premium Habano is a beautiful looking silky smooth habano cigar. The wrapper is medium brown with minimal veins and decent sheen. It is expertly finished with a triple cap and has a solid packing throughout.
A single ornate band adorns the cigar using a black, gold, and red motif. The name Don Rafa is boldly printed in golden script on a black background and the word Nicaragua in white on the bottom. The band is colorful and pops on the background of the habano wrapper.
Running the Don Rafa Habano across the nose, I was greeted with a sweet and pungent barrel and an enticing fruit note off the foot.
Slicing the cap straight across the shoulder, I took a few cold puffs that was spot on with restriction and offered notes of light earth, nut, and a hint of peppery spice.
Using my double flame torch, I warmed the foot and drew in the first puffs of sweet and peppery smoke. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial light offered a peppery spice on the nose
- Tasty sweet malt note joins the pepper
- Full volume of smoke through a perfect draw
- Salt and pepper ash evolves on a wavy thick char line
- Cherry nuance enters deep in the first third
- Sweet oak joins the profile moving into the second third
- Slight off burn
- Ash fell with off centered burn cone
- Cherry notes become a bit more prominent
- Sweet fruit aroma
- Wave corrected on its own
- Light spice joins the mix joined with a mild coffee note
- Sweetness lingers
- Cream notes finishes the journey down to the finish
- Nice second ash run
- Mild to medium in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 30 minutes
Overall, the Don Rafa Habano Robusto was a smooth and pleasurable smoke with balanced and flavorful notes and aromas. I especially enjoyed the cherry and sweetness that formed a good part of the core. It did have a bit of a wave and a slight off burn that fixed itself. There was also an off centered burn cone when the salt and pepper ash fell. This is certainly worth a picking up a 5 pack. I know you can get these at Don Rafa Cigars . I rate this a 91.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy in Burn; (-1) Slight off Burn; (-1) Salt and Pepper Ash; (-1) Off Centered Burn Cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Long ash in second run
Very nice review. I never had one of these and this stick is now on my “pick list.” Just for kicks, I think I may order that 70 gauge. Never smoked a stick that size so why not start with this one…? ?