Description
The Panetelas Extra That Changed How I Think About Rafael Gonzalez
Look, I’m just going to say it: the Rafael Gonzalez Panetelas Extra doesn’t get half the attention it deserves. Between you and me, most smokers overlook this vitola entirely – and I genuinely don’t understand why. Maybe it’s because panetelas in general have this reputation for being “grandpa cigars” or something. But here’s the thing – this particular smoke has this elegance and refinement that most modern cigar enthusiasts are missing out on. I remember lighting one up during a quiet afternoon at my local lounge in 2019, expecting something just… okay. What I got instead was a masterclass in what Cuban tobacco can do when it’s not trying to punch you in the face with strength. If you’re looking for a sophisticated, contemplative smoke with enough complexity to keep you engaged – and I mean genuinely engaged, not just going through the motions – then stick with me here.
What Makes Rafael Gonzalez Stand Out (And Why This Vitola Matters)
The Rafael Gonzalez marca has been around since 1928, named after the original owner of the Marquez cigar factory in Havana. Thing is, it’s always been positioned as a milder offering in the Habanos portfolio – which, let’s be honest, has probably hurt its reputation among the strength-obsessed crowd. But mild doesn’t mean boring. Not even close.
The Panetelas Extra specifically is one of those vitolas that rewards patience. It’s not a quick smoke, and it’s definitely not for someone looking for a nicotine hit. What it IS, though, is a beautifully constructed example of traditional Cuban blending. The tobacco comes from the Vuelta Abajo region – and I can tell, because that signature Cuban earthiness comes through without being harsh or overwhelming. The wrapper leaf has this golden-brown sheen that catches the light just right, and the construction? Real talk: I’ve had boxes where every single cigar burned perfectly straight with minimal attention.
This is a cigar for the experienced smoker who’s circled back around to appreciating subtlety. If you’re still in your “only Bolivar and Partagás” phase, bookmark this and come back in a year or two. You’ll get it then.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Vitola | Panetelas Extra |
| Length | 5 inches / 127 mm |
| Ring Gauge | 36 |
| Wrapper | Cuban (Vuelta Abajo) |
| Binder | Cuban |
| Filler | Cuban Blend – Vuelta Abajo |
| Strength | Mild to Medium |
| Smoking Time | 35-45 minutes |
The Smoking Experience – Third by Third Breakdown
Okay, so let me walk you through what actually happens when you light one of these up. And I know this sounds overly detailed, but trust me – with a cigar this nuanced, the details matter.
The cold draw gives you cedar right away. Not that generic “woody” note that gets thrown around – I’m talking about that specific smell of a cedar-lined humidor when you first open it in the morning. There’s also this faint sweetness underneath, almost like dried apricot or something. The pre-light aroma is where you start picking up on the quality of the wrapper leaf – it’s got this natural tobacco sweetness with just a whisper of cocoa.
First third: The initial light brings forward a creamy, almost buttery texture. The flavor profile starts mild – cedar dominates, but it’s accompanied by this subtle coffee note that’s more like café con leche than espresso. No joke, the first time I smoked one of these, I thought my palate was off because it was so much smoother than I expected. There’s also this underlying nuttiness, maybe almond? The burn line stays razor-sharp if you’re using a proper lighter and not torching it. The ash holds for about an inch before dropping, and it’s that pale gray color that tells you the tobacco’s been aged properly.
Second third – and this is where it gets interesting: The strength picks up slightly, moving from mild into that mild-medium territory. The cedar backs off just a bit, and you start getting more of that classic Cuban earthiness. There’s a spicy element that develops here – not pepper exactly, but more like baking spices. Cinnamon maybe? My buddy Carlos insists it’s nutmeg, but I think he’s wrong. Anyway, back to the flavors – the coffee note deepens, becomes richer. If you’re paying attention (and why wouldn’t you be?), you’ll catch hints of leather and a touch of cocoa on the retrohale. The construction remains flawless – I’ve smoked probably two dozen of these over the years, and I can count on one hand the number that needed a touch-up.
Final third: Here’s where opinions divide, and I’ll be honest with you about my bias. Some smokers find the last third gets a bit too intense, picks up too much strength. I actually love this progression. The mild beginning has prepared your palate for this gradual build, and by now you’re getting fuller flavors without harshness. The pepper finally shows up – not overwhelming, just enough to remind you you’re smoking a proper Habano. The cedar comes back around, now mixed with darker notes of espresso and dark chocolate. The finish is clean, slightly sweet, with that lingering cedar aroma that stays with you for a good twenty minutes after you set it down.
The retrohale throughout – which I know not everyone does, but you really should with this cigar – adds layers of white pepper and aromatic spices that you miss entirely if you’re just puffing away. And the wrapper never gets bitter, which is saying something for a cigar this thin.
How It Stacks Up Against Similar Options
| Cigar | Strength | Smoking Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Gonzalez Panetelas Extra | Mild-Medium | 35-45 min | Morning smoke, contemplative sessions, cedar lovers |
| Montecristo No. 4 | Medium | 40-50 min | Classic Cuban experience, slightly more strength |
| H. Upmann Half Corona | Mild-Medium | 25-35 min | Quicker smoke, similar elegance, less complexity |
The Montecristo comparison comes up a lot – probably because they’re both considered “refined” Cubans. But here’s what gets me: the Monte has more immediate flavor impact, while the Rafael Gonzalez is more about the journey. If you want to impress someone who doesn’t know cigars, hand them a Monte. If you want to have a conversation with a fellow aficionado about the subtleties of Cuban tobacco, bring out the Rafael Gonzalez.
What to Pair With This Beauty
I’ll be blunt: this cigar is finicky about pairings. The mild-medium profile means you can easily overwhelm it with the wrong drink.
My go-to? A proper café cortado – that’s espresso with just a touch of steamed milk. The coffee notes in the cigar and the actual coffee create this beautiful harmony without competing. If we’re talking spirits, a light rum works perfectly. I’m talking Havana Club 3 Year, maybe Flor de Caña 4 Year. Nothing too aged or complex – you want the rum to complement, not dominate. Actually, scratch that – if you can find it, Ron Santiago de Cuba 11 Year is phenomenal with this cigar, though that might contradict what I just said about not going too aged. But something about that particular rum just works.
For non-alcoholic options, a mild oolong tea or even just sparkling water with a twist of lemon. Seriously. Sometimes the best pairing is just something to cleanse your palate between draws.
Time of day? Morning or early afternoon, no question. This isn’t a post-dinner smoke unless dinner was light. I made that mistake once after a heavy steak dinner – couldn’t taste half the nuances because my palate was shot. Learn from my errors.
Common Questions About Rafael Gonzalez Panetelas Extra
Is the Rafael Gonzalez Panetelas Extra too mild for experienced smokers?
Look, this question assumes that “experienced” equals “only smokes full-bodied cigars,” which is honestly backwards. The most experienced smokers I know – and I mean the guys who’ve been at this for decades – appreciate the subtlety of a well-made mild cigar. The Panetelas Extra has enough complexity to keep any palate engaged. It’s mild in strength, not mild in flavor. Big difference. If you’re the type who thinks you need to be knocked on your butt by nicotine to enjoy a cigar, then yeah, skip this. But if you’ve developed your palate enough to appreciate nuance, you’ll love it.
How should I store Rafael Gonzalez cigars for optimal flavor?
These respond really well to proper Cuban cigar storage conditions – I keep mine at 65-67% humidity and around 65-68°F. Thing is, Rafael Gonzalez benefits from aging more than people realize. Fresh boxes can be a bit tight on the draw and the flavors aren’t fully integrated. Give them six months to a year if you can manage the patience, and they really open up. The cedar notes become more pronounced, the overall smoking experience smooths out even more. I’ve got a few from 2018 that are absolutely singing right now. That said, they’re perfectly smokable fresh if you can’t wait – they’re just better with time.
What’s the difference between Panetelas Extra and other Rafael Gonzalez vitolas?
The blend across the Rafael Gonzalez line is fairly consistent, but the vitola makes a real difference in how those flavors present. The Panetelas Extra, with its 36 ring gauge, gives you a higher wrapper-to-filler ratio than, say, the Perlas (40 ring gauge) or Coronas Extra (46 ring gauge). What that means practically is you’re getting more of that wrapper influence – more of those cedar and subtle spice notes. The thinner ring gauge also means the cigar smokes a bit hotter if you’re not careful with your puffing cadence, which can bring out different characteristics. Compared to the smaller Perlas, the Panetelas Extra gives you about 10-15 more minutes of smoking time and a bit more complexity development. I think it’s the sweet spot of the line, but I’m probably biased here.
Can I smoke Rafael Gonzalez Panetelas Extra as a beginner?
Absolutely, and I’d actually recommend it. The mild-medium strength means you’re not going to get nicotine sick if you’re new to cigars – which, trust me, is a miserable experience you want to avoid. The flavors are clear and distinct without being overwhelming, so it’s a great cigar for learning to identify tasting notes. Here’s the thing though: as a beginner, you might not appreciate all the subtlety here. It’s kind of like giving someone a really nice wine when they’re just learning – they’ll enjoy it, but they might not understand why it’s special. That’s okay. Come back to it after you’ve smoked a variety of cigars, and you’ll pick up on things you missed the first time. But yeah, perfectly fine starter cigar if you want to begin with quality Cuban tobacco.
Are Rafael Gonzalez cigars available in limited edition releases?
Not really, no. Rafael Gonzalez is one of those steady, reliable marcas that Habanos S.A. doesn’t mess with too much. You won’t see limited edition releases or regional editions popping up regularly like you do with Cohiba or Montecristo. And honestly? I think that’s fine. Not everything needs to be a limited edition collector’s item. The regular production stuff is consistent and well-made, which is what you want from a daily smoke or a regular rotation cigar. There have been a couple of special releases over the decades – I think there was a 2004 or maybe 2005 vintage release? Can’t remember exactly. But generally speaking, what you see is what you get with this marca, and that consistency is actually a selling point for me.
How does the wrapper quality affect the Rafael Gonzalez smoking experience?
Okay, so this is where I geek out a bit. The wrapper on these is typically Corojo from the Vuelta Abajo region, and it’s that classic golden-brown Colorado shade. Because the ring gauge is thin on the Panetelas Extra, the wrapper contributes maybe 60-70% of what you’re tasting – that’s huge. You’re getting all those cedar and subtle sweet notes primarily from the wrapper leaf. I’ve noticed that boxes from different years can have slightly different wrapper shades, and that translates to minor flavor variations. A slightly darker wrapper might give you a bit more earth and cocoa; a lighter one emphasizes the cedar and cream. The construction quality of the wrapper also determines how the cigar burns – these typically have very smooth, toothy wrappers with minimal veins, which gives you that even burn I mentioned earlier. If you get one with a rough or damaged wrapper, the whole experience suffers because you’re losing that primary flavor component.
What occasions are best suited for this cigar?
I reach for these during quiet moments – that’s really what they’re made for. Morning on the patio with coffee and a book? Perfect. Afternoon at the lounge when you want to think or have an actual conversation without the cigar demanding constant attention? Ideal. They’re not celebration cigars – if I’m marking a special occasion, I’m probably going for something with more presence. But for a Tuesday afternoon when you just want 40 minutes of peace and contemplation? This is exactly what you want. I’ve also found they’re great “second cigars” – if you’ve already smoked something fuller earlier in the day and want something that won’t overwhelm your palate. And honestly, they’re perfect for those times when you’re smoking with someone who doesn’t know cigars well – mild enough not to intimidate, interesting enough to showcase what Cuban tobacco can do.
Why This Belongs in Your Rotation
Real talk: not every cigar needs to be an event. Sometimes you just want something elegant, well-made, and reliably good. That’s the Rafael Gonzalez Panetelas Extra in a nutshell. It’s not going to blow your mind with innovative flavors or shock you with strength. What it WILL do is provide a consistently excellent smoking experience that reminds you why Cuban cigars earned their reputation in the first place.
The mild strength, the classic cedar and coffee profile, the impeccable construction – these are the hallmarks of traditional Cuban cigar making. If you’re building a humidor and only stocking bold, full-bodied smokes, you’re missing out on a whole category of experiences. And look, I get it – when you’re spending money on Cuban cigars, you want something that feels substantial. But mild doesn’t mean insubstantial. The complexity is there if you’re patient enough to find it.
Whether you’re new to Habanos and want to understand what the fuss is about without getting knocked over, or you’re a seasoned smoker looking to add some variety to your rotation, the Rafael Gonzalez Panetelas Extra deserves your attention. Stock up a box, tuck it away for a few months if you can manage the restraint, and thank me later. This is the cigar that’ll still be in your humidor when the latest hyped release has come and gone.
