About the Flor De Rafael González Perlas
Rafael González is one of Cuba’s most understated brands, founded in 1928 and originally sold under the romantic name La Flor de Márquez before reinventing itself as Flor de Rafael González around 1940. The marque earned its place in cigar history by helping popularize the slender Lonsdale, and that heritage of poise still defines the line today. The Perlas is the smallest regular-production vitola in the range, a Petit Corona measuring 4 inches (102 mm) with a 40 ring gauge that was added to the lineup in 2012. Hand-rolled with long-filler tobacco from the Vuelta Abajo, it packs the house’s signature refinement into a quick, approachable smoke.
Flavor profile by thirds
The opening third leans soft and inviting, with creamy cedar, a touch of toasted nut, and a light coffee sweetness setting the tone. As the cigar settles into its middle, gentle floral and vanilla accents emerge alongside a whisper of cocoa, keeping things smooth rather than aggressive. Toward the final third the cedar lingers and a faint earthy spice rounds out the profile, never tipping past a comfortable mild-to-medium intensity. Expect roughly twenty to twenty-five minutes from light to nub.
Pairings
- A cup of espresso or a milky cortado, which echoes the cigar’s creamy coffee notes.
- A lighter aged rum or a Cuban-style daiquiri, complementing the sweetness without overpowering it.
- Sparkling water or a crisp lager for a clean, palate-friendly daytime smoke.
Aging and storage
Like most Cuban tobacco, the Perlas rewards patience even though it smokes beautifully young. Keep your cigars at a steady 65 to 70 percent relative humidity and around 16 to 18 degrees Celsius inside a seasoned humidor, and the marrying of flavors will deepen the cedar and soften any youthful edge over six months to a couple of years. Because of its thin ring gauge, this vitola can dry out faster than thicker cigars, so check your humidification regularly and avoid wide swings in temperature.
Who it is for
This is an ideal choice for newer smokers easing into Cuban cigars, since its gentle strength and forgiving construction make for a relaxed experience. Seasoned aficionados will appreciate it too, especially as a morning smoke, a coffee-break companion, or a graceful palate cleanser when there simply is not time for a Lonsdale. Anyone who values elegance and balance over sheer power will find a lot to like here.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rafael González Perlas a strong cigar?
No. It sits in the mild-to-medium range, making it one of the more approachable Cuban smokes and a good entry point for those who find fuller cigars overwhelming.
How long does it take to smoke?
At 4 inches with a 40 ring gauge, the Perlas is a short format that typically smokes in about twenty to twenty-five minutes, perfect for a quick break.
What does Flor De Rafael González mean?
It reflects the brand’s historical name. The cigar band carries the wording Flor de Rafael González Márquez, a nod to the marque’s lineage dating back to its founding in 1928.
Explore more
Browse all Cuban Cigars cigars. Store yours in a seasoned humidor and see our guide on how long cigars last. Learn more from the official Habanos S.A. site.
Michael Anderson –
Great smoke for the price. This Flor De Rafael González Perlas offers excellent value for a premium Cuban Cigar cigar. Good flavor with notes of cedar and spice, even burn, and consistent quality. Perfect for a weekend smoke. Happy with this purchase!
Paul Price –
The Flor De Rafael González Perlas is a respectable cigar. Nice notes of leather and wood, decent construction. However, I found it a bit one-dimensional compared to other Cuban Cigar offerings. Not bad, but there are better options in this price range.
Doris Spencer –
Five stars all the way! The Cuban Cigar Flor De Rafael González Perlas is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of coffee and cream. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Philip Mason –
Incredible cigar! The Flor De Rafael González Perlas from Cuban Cigar is absolutely exceptional. Smooth, complex, and beautifully balanced. Got wonderful notes of cocoa and pepper throughout the smoke. Lasted about 90 minutes. Already ordering another box!
Ryan Hall –
Top-tier quality from Cuban Cigar. The Flor De Rafael González Perlas showcases everything I love about Cuban cigars – impeccable craftsmanship, smooth draw, and layers of flavor. Picked up notes of coffee and cream. Burned evenly throughout. A must-try for any serious aficionado!
Tyler Hill –
Best cigar I’ve had in a long time! Cuban Cigar really knocked it out of the park with the Flor De Rafael González Perlas. Rich flavor profile featuring leather and wood, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Nicholas Allen –
Top-tier quality from Cuban Cigar. The Flor De Rafael González Perlas showcases everything I love about Cuban cigars – impeccable craftsmanship, smooth draw, and layers of flavor. Picked up notes of cocoa and pepper. Burned evenly throughout. A must-try for any serious aficionado!
Daniel Moore –
Best cigar I’ve had in a long time! Cuban Cigar really knocked it out of the park with the Flor De Rafael González Perlas. Rich flavor profile featuring nuts and earth, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
David Williams –
Great cigar! Cuban Cigar Flor De Rafael González Perlas offers excellent quality and flavor. Notes of leather and wood throughout, good burn, nice draw. Not quite perfect but very close. Will definitely order again!
Nancy Martin –
Top-tier quality from Cuban Cigar. The Flor De Rafael González Perlas showcases everything I love about Cuban cigars – impeccable craftsmanship, smooth draw, and layers of flavor. Picked up notes of leather and wood. Burned evenly throughout. A must-try for any serious aficionado!
Judith Boyd –
Good cigar but expected a bit more for the price. The Cuban Cigar Flor De Rafael González Perlas delivered on flavor (cedar and spice) and construction, but lacked the complexity I was hoping for. Solid smoke, just not outstanding. Still enjoyable.
Jack Peterson –
This is hands down one of the best cigars I’ve smoked this year. The Cuban Cigar Flor De Rafael González Perlas exceeded all expectations. Rich, creamy smoke with complex notes of cocoa and pepper. Construction is perfect, ash holds firm. Worth every penny!
Diane Ross –
The Cuban Cigar Flor De Rafael González Perlas is a quality cigar. Nice balance of flavor and strength. I enjoyed the cedar and spice notes throughout. Construction was very good with only one minor touch-up needed. Good cigar for experienced smokers.
Gary Wood –
Decent cigar but not my favorite from Cuban Cigar. The Flor De Rafael González Perlas has good flavor – nuts and earth – but didn’t wow me like other Cubans I’ve had. Construction was fine, burn was mostly even. It’s good, just not exceptional. Worth trying though.
Louis Webb –
Great smoke for the price. This Flor De Rafael González Perlas offers excellent value for a premium Cuban Cigar cigar. Good flavor with notes of coffee and cream, even burn, and consistent quality. Perfect for a weekend smoke. Happy with this purchase!
Linda Davis –
This is hands down one of the best cigars I’ve smoked this year. The Cuban Cigar Flor De Rafael González Perlas exceeded all expectations. Rich, creamy smoke with complex notes of coffee and cream. Construction is perfect, ash holds firm. Worth every penny!
Rebecca Cook –
Incredible cigar! The Flor De Rafael González Perlas from Cuban Cigar is absolutely exceptional. Smooth, complex, and beautifully balanced. Got wonderful notes of leather and wood throughout the smoke. Lasted about 80 minutes. Already ordering another box!