Rafael Gonzalez Lonsdale

[SnakeHips]

Took one of these out of the box and smoked it yesterday - 2003 box code.

Didn't need to test the draw first, these are always rolled perfectly. Perfectly-centered punch cut, perfect draw (slightly firm). Cold draw gave me tobacco and wood. I figured I was in for a treat, as it was being nice to me already.

Lit it up, got pretty much what I expected in terms of flavor - woods, slight sweetness, maybe some leather in there. Mild, as expected. Smoke production was disappointing though; gave me the flavor, but didn't give much smoke to taste, so I struggled to find the flavors. Burned fine, but wouldn't give up the goods.

Continued that way for a while, until the half-way point. After then it began to increase in smoke production, giving up the brand flavors of woodiness and baking spices with a surprisingly prevalent sweet note on the back of the tongue that crept up in the second half. Hadn't gotten that before, it was nice.

At about an inch left, it began to get bitter and harsh, so I let it go.

All in all, satisfying, but not up to par for this smoke.

87/100

[josie67]

I had 7 boxes of these, but over the last 3 months, I have traded 4 away. The 4 boxes I traded were all DIC '05, and I hate to say it, but as these get older, they are becoming more bland. They are fairly mild to begin with, but I loved them up until about 8-10 months ago when I noticed they had less and less flavor.

[ChanceSchmerr]

I had 7 boxes of these, but over the last 3 months, I have traded 4 away. The 4 boxes I traded were all DIC '05, and I hate to say it, but as these get older, they are becoming more bland. They are fairly mild to begin with, but I loved them up until about 8-10 months ago when I noticed they had less and less flavor.

Really? I have an oppotunity to pick up a box of these from 2000, and I'm really keen to do so, because they are very hard to find......but if the're gonna be super bland, I don't know........

[SnakeHips]

Really? I have an oppotunity to pick up a box of these from 2000, and I'm really keen to do so, because they are very hard to find......but if the're gonna be super bland, I don't know........

When constructed well, my '04s (I said '03 in the review, but I was wrong) taste great, not bland. But I would be wary of any lonsdale from 2000 - plug city usually.

[PigFish]

I love these, one of my favorite lonsdales. I may dig one out and smoke it today! Thanks for the tip! -P

[dochowl]

When constructed well, my '04s (I said '03 in the review, but I was wrong) taste great, not bland. But I would be wary of any lonsdale from 2000 - plug city usually.

Yeah... I've got a box from Oct '01 and it is running about 60% plugged. The ones that are smokeable are quite good. Unfortunately, I'm tossing about half of them.

[rristevski]

What factory are those from 2001 and 2000

[Lotusguy]

What factory are those from 2001 and 2000

This thread is 6 years old - I wouldn't expect a response....

[Stevieboy]

Hahaha.... Fair comment