About the Rafael Gonzales Petit Coronas
Rafael Gonzales has long held a quiet, almost cult status among Havana devotees who prize finesse over force. First registered back in 1928 and launched commercially in the early 1930s, the marca earned its place in cigar history by naming the now-ubiquitous Lonsdale format after Lord Lonsdale, the celebrated English sporting earl and committed aficionado. The Petit Coronas carries that heritage into a compact Mareva shape, a hand-rolled Vuelta Abajo blend built for smokers who want refinement without a long sitting.
Flavor profile by thirds
The opening third leans gentle and creamy, with a soft honeyed sweetness wrapped around light coffee and a faint touch of gingerbread. As you move into the middle, the body firms up toward medium and earthier tones emerge, with cedar threading through alongside a hint of dried fruit. The final stretch settles into a balanced, lightly spiced finish that keeps the smoke composed rather than aggressive, true to the brand’s reputation for a mild yet flavorful character.
Pairings
- A milky morning coffee or cortado, which echoes the cigar’s creamy, honeyed core.
- A lighter aged rum, where the cane sweetness complements the dried-fruit notes.
- A pot of black or oolong tea for an unhurried afternoon smoke that keeps things delicate.
Aging and storage
Keep these resting at roughly 65 to 70 percent relative humidity and around 18 degrees Celsius (about 64 degrees Fahrenheit) in a well-seasoned humidor. Because the Petit Coronas is already a refined, lighter smoke, even a few months of patient rest helps the honey and cedar notes marry and round out. Many of these mild Havanas reward a year or more of careful aging, softening any youthful edges while preserving that signature creamy sweetness.
Who it is for
This is an ideal cigar for the smoker who values elegance over intensity, whether you are new to Cuban tobacco or a seasoned hand looking for a relaxed daytime option. The shorter Corona format suits a coffee break or an early-afternoon moment when you have around forty-five minutes rather than a full evening. If you tend to favor bold, full-bodied powerhouses, this one will feel restrained, but that gentle, balanced profile is exactly the point.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rafael Gonzales Petit Coronas a strong cigar?
No. It is a mild-to-medium smoke that begins gently and builds only modestly toward a medium body, making it well suited to daytime smoking and to those who prefer subtlety.
What size is the Petit Coronas?
It is a Corona in the classic Mareva format, measuring 5.1 inches (about 129mm) with a 42 ring gauge, typically offered in boxes of 25 and smaller packs of 5.
Why is Rafael Gonzales associated with the Lonsdale?
The brand is credited with naming the elegant 6.5 inch by 42 ring gauge Lonsdale shape in honor of Lord Lonsdale, a term that has since been adopted right across the cigar industry.
Explore more
Browse all Rafael Gonzales cigars, or try the Rafael Gonzales Lonsdales and Rafael Gonzales Coronas Extra. Store yours in a seasoned humidor and see our guide on how long cigars last. Learn more from the official Habanos S.A. site.
Kevin Mitchell –
Five stars all the way! The Cuban Cigar Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of leather and wood. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Karen Lee –
Five stars all the way! The Cuban Cigar Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of honey and tobacco. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Willie Ford –
Absolutely love this Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas! Cuban Cigar continues to impress with their quality. Wonderful complexity with honey and tobacco, smooth creamy smoke, and perfect construction. One of my all-time favorites!
Cheryl Chapman –
The Cuban Cigar Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas is a quality corona. Nice balance of flavor and strength. I enjoyed the coffee and cream notes throughout. Construction was very good with only one minor touch-up needed. Good cigar for experienced smokers.
Gerald Grant –
Best corona I’ve had in a long time! Cuban Cigar really knocked it out of the park with the Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas. Rich flavor profile featuring cedar and spice, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Theresa Lawson –
The Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas is a respectable corona. Nice notes of cocoa and pepper, 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.
Margaret Butler –
Exceptional cigar from Cuban Cigar. The Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of cedar and spice throughout the 62 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Roy Torres –
Exceptional cigar from Cuban Cigar. The Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of cocoa and pepper throughout the 59 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Nicholas Allen –
A true masterpiece from Cuban Cigar. This Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas is everything you want in a premium Cuban cigar. Exquisite flavors of leather and wood, flawless construction, razor-sharp burn. Been smoking these for years and they never disappoint!
Rose Martinez –
Great cigar! Cuban Cigar Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas offers excellent quality and flavor. Notes of nuts and earth throughout, good burn, nice draw. Not quite perfect but very close. Will definitely order again!
Daniel Moore –
Great cigar! Cuban Cigar Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas offers excellent quality and flavor. Notes of honey and tobacco throughout, good burn, nice draw. Not quite perfect but very close. Will definitely order again!
Shirley Neal –
Very good cigar. The Cuban Cigar Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas lives up to its reputation. Beautiful wrapper, good construction, and nice flavor development. Tasted honey and tobacco with a smooth finish. Not the absolute best I’ve had, but definitely solid. Would buy again.
Paul Price –
Good cigar but expected a bit more for the price. The Cuban Cigar Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas delivered on flavor (nuts and earth) and construction, but lacked the complexity I was hoping for. Solid smoke, just not outstanding. Still enjoyable.
Philip Mason –
Absolutely love this Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas! Cuban Cigar continues to impress with their quality. Wonderful complexity with coffee and cream, smooth creamy smoke, and perfect construction. One of my all-time favorites!
Kimberly Roberts –
Five stars all the way! The Cuban Cigar Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas is simply amazing. Smooth from start to finish with beautiful notes of leather and wood. This is my go-to cigar now. Outstanding quality and flavor complexity!
Brandon Wright –
Exceptional cigar from Cuban Cigar. The Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of honey and tobacco throughout the 68 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Marilyn Stone –
Exceptional cigar from Cuban Cigar. The Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas delivers on every level – flavor, construction, consistency. Beautiful notes of cocoa and pepper throughout the 56 minute smoke. This is why Cuban cigars are legendary!
Anthony Harris –
Five stars all the way! The Cuban Cigar Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas 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!
Brian Parker –
Best corona I’ve had in a long time! Cuban Cigar really knocked it out of the park with the Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas. Rich flavor profile featuring cedar and spice, perfect draw, and excellent burn. Can’t recommend this enough!
Debra Warren –
The Rafael Gonzales Pettit Coronas is a respectable corona. 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.