Final RG thoughts:
Got a little hotter a little sooner than I would have liked, but only maybe a quarter of an inch (so, given this vitola, only 2 or 3 draws maybe). So I had to really slow down the smoking more than usual to get the last few puffs. Otherwise, really solid flavors and excellent construction. For a $2.80, a damn fine minuto.
Total smoking time was 55 minutes, give or take. Probably be closer to 45 if I weren't actively reviewing it. And that could be easily sped up some for winter weather without really negatively impacting anything but the ass end of the smoke, I think, given how well it burned.
I would put it on par with the Boli CJs and Partagas Shorts and whatnot. RG isn't typically regarded in the same breath as the other tier 1 brands, but I think the Perla (assuming the box is consistent) has the flavor and construction to stand with them.
How that's all ranked will fall into flavor preferences, of course. This is more mild than the Bolivar, less earthy, less strong, less pepper, but I think a bit more complex. My CJ boxes are August 2012, so they're only a month apart in age. The final third/nub, as it were, was very similar to the beginning/middle of the Bolivar, before it really picks it up. Not as earthy, but that strong, clean, rich dark and woody tobacco.
That's all subject to change up, of course. 2 years young and only 1 day OTT. Maybe these really take off at year 4 or 5. But even if it stays the exact same, I wouldn't complain, especially not for a $2.80 cigar.
*Edit* And I forgot to mention the final third/nub spiciness picked up. Nice cinnamon type kick.
