Rafael González was created in the 1930s. It was in this brand that the 165mm by 42 ring gauge Cuban cigar was named a Lonsdale after Lord Lonsdale - the famous English sporting Earl and cigar aficionado of that period. Interestingly, many other brands now use the name as well (perhaps most notably, the brand manufacturing Montecristo Cigars adopted the name also).

On its lid, each box carries a label with a curious inscription written in English to the effect that the cigars should be smoked within one month of the date of shipment from Havana or otherwise they should be carefully matured for about one year.

Each of their cigars contain a light tasting blend of filler and binder leaves from the Vuelta Abajo zone. The very same area many of the brands on our Cuban cigar shop source their tobacco.