The name of this cigar is quite a mouthful! What the hell is going on with the cigar names lately anyway? My Uzi Weighs a Ton, Humo Jaguar, La Gloria Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah... Whatever happened to the simpler cigar times of Punch Punch, Cohiba Siglo, Montecristo No.2? Seems to me the longer the name the more you are trying to hide in the cigar itself, as if having to read some multi-syllabic mouthful of cigar jargon will lull you into some sense of cigar euphoria and make you believe you are embarking on an epic cigar journey. Whatever! The cigar needs to speak for itself Mr. Cigar Maker Man, so don't give me all this hoo hah in the name and just give me a damn fine smoke! Rant over for now.
This cigar is a continuation of the legendary brand put on the map by one of my cigar heroes, Ernesto Perez Carrillo. General Cigars now holds the rights and they have been doing some things with it, namely the Artesanos line and the Serie N, none of which have blown me away. You see the overall quality of General Cigars products just hasn't been up to snuff in the last couple of years and the cigars that have been produced much bile in my sensitive cigar stomach. Ernesto must be quietly cursing the name that he made so famous because he will always be attached to it.
This cigar presents with a dry and dusty looking wrapper that has prominent veins and some greenish coloration in spots. The construction appears to be acceptable and I can't detect any areas of concern. The pre light aroma is of heavy cedar. The pre light draw is bitter but shows some woody character. I will add some visual props for some nice band work.
The cigar opens with a profile that is dry and bitter, it is trying to show some cedary qualities but they are not showing through well. At the back of the palate there are some very dry floral notes and my palate is getting scorched out by these dry flavors. The draw is way too loose and I worry about heat showing later in the cigar. The burn is a touch off, but I am not touching up at this point.
The first half of the cigar shows no development. The core profile stays bitter and dry with some wisps of cedar. At the back of the palate there are some hints of wood and a floral sweetness, but they dryness is killing this whole experience, I feel like I need to hack up a furball. The draw continues to be way too loose for me. The burn has corrected itself without issue.
The final half of the smoke continues to be inferior and offensive. The overwhelming dry character of this cigar has ruined any possibility of it being remotely enjoyable. The core profile is still trying to show cedar notes, but they are bitter. At the back of the palate there are still some floral implications, but they are not really anything but passable at this point. The draw stays loose all the way to the end, but I manage to keep the heat out of the smoke without issue. The burn collapses in the final third and a canoe forms, unfortunately this canoe sinks the experience.
The finish is bitter and has some fleeting hints of cedar.
Appearance- 82 just not nice to look at
Taste- 73 a really poor showing
Construction- 77 some really bad things going on here
Strength- 85 medium I guess, but it did nothing for the smoke
Overall- 77.75 very, very poor
Showing posts with label La Gloria Cubana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label La Gloria Cubana. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
La Gloria Cubana Serie N Rojo (6.5x46)
I have always found the sister incarnation of this blend, the Serie R, to be very inconsistent. I have had some that I have rated as high as 92 and some that I have rated as low 83, that type of inconsistency can kill a cigar in an industry with ever more demanding consumers out there. I had heard some good things about the N and was looking forward to smoking it.
The cigar presents with a nearly jet black wrapper that has plenty of oils and some feint veins, for added effect there is a small N just below the band in the wrapper that I find to be unique visually. The pre light aroma is boring, but shows some earthy qualities. The pre light draw is sour, but has some hints of pepper as well.
The cigar opens with a straightforward profile of earth, tobacco and coffee. There is nothing particularly compelling about the flavors, as they lack depth and complexity. There is a nice balance, but it is a balance of mediocrity at this point. At the back of the palate there are some tastes of pepper, but there is a flat wooden overtone here that is out of place. The draw is too tight for and there is some labor in producing the right amount of smoke. The burn is off as well and I fear that there will be touch ups in the future.
The first half of the cigar continues to be lackluster. The profile is still balanced, but the flavors lack depth, nuance and complexity. There are some shows of earth and tobacco, but overall the presentation is flat. At the back of the palate a more woody array of flavors has taken hold and there is a sweetness creeping in that I would equate to molasses, but my overall impression of this cigar is still wanting. The draw is still too tight for my liking and the burn continues to deteriorate with a huge runner that I am avoiding touching up at all costs.
The final half of the smoke maintains a pedestrian character. The profile stays very average showing some ideas of earth, tobacco and some pepper. I am unimpressed with this effort and was hoping for so much more. At the back of the palate there are still some hints of sweetness, but the flat wood notes are returning as well. The burn and draw remain sub par through to the end.
The finish was short and showed some chemical flavors that were unappealing.
I was really disappointed in this because I expected more, but in the end I would say that this cigar was very average. Hopefully, like the Serie R, there are some gems out there. The two I smoked did not fit the bill.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 85 very, very average
Construction- 78 bad draw and burn hurt this smoke
Strength- 83 a weak full that needs to complement the profile more effectively
Overall- 83.5 below average due to construction problems
The cigar presents with a nearly jet black wrapper that has plenty of oils and some feint veins, for added effect there is a small N just below the band in the wrapper that I find to be unique visually. The pre light aroma is boring, but shows some earthy qualities. The pre light draw is sour, but has some hints of pepper as well.
The cigar opens with a straightforward profile of earth, tobacco and coffee. There is nothing particularly compelling about the flavors, as they lack depth and complexity. There is a nice balance, but it is a balance of mediocrity at this point. At the back of the palate there are some tastes of pepper, but there is a flat wooden overtone here that is out of place. The draw is too tight for and there is some labor in producing the right amount of smoke. The burn is off as well and I fear that there will be touch ups in the future.
The first half of the cigar continues to be lackluster. The profile is still balanced, but the flavors lack depth, nuance and complexity. There are some shows of earth and tobacco, but overall the presentation is flat. At the back of the palate a more woody array of flavors has taken hold and there is a sweetness creeping in that I would equate to molasses, but my overall impression of this cigar is still wanting. The draw is still too tight for my liking and the burn continues to deteriorate with a huge runner that I am avoiding touching up at all costs.
The final half of the smoke maintains a pedestrian character. The profile stays very average showing some ideas of earth, tobacco and some pepper. I am unimpressed with this effort and was hoping for so much more. At the back of the palate there are still some hints of sweetness, but the flat wood notes are returning as well. The burn and draw remain sub par through to the end.
The finish was short and showed some chemical flavors that were unappealing.
I was really disappointed in this because I expected more, but in the end I would say that this cigar was very average. Hopefully, like the Serie R, there are some gems out there. The two I smoked did not fit the bill.
Appearance- 92 a very attractive smoke
Taste- 85 very, very average
Construction- 78 bad draw and burn hurt this smoke
Strength- 83 a weak full that needs to complement the profile more effectively
Overall- 83.5 below average due to construction problems
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No.4 (5.9x32) (Box Date 1997)
Recently I invited my closest friend over for a night of football and BBQ. Upon arrival he asked me where I was in my lineup, and when I told him that I had only had one earlier in the day, he said that he had something for me. Knowing him like I do, I knew that I was in for a rare treat, and as is his wont he did not disappoint. He handed me this little cigar and I recognized the front mark, but not the vitola. Not one for researching cigars before I smoke them , I usually do that after the fact, I got ready to fire it up right away.
The cigar itself is a strange thing to behold. Long and pencil thin, it looks very delicate and I was fearful that a rigorous inspection might lead to damage of the smoke. The wrapper had all the hallmarks of a well aged smoke. It was veined well and carried the soft dust of age that indicates proper storage and care. There is one small split in the wrapper and I am concerned in a smoke this size that it could be a problem. An inspection leads me to believe that the cigar may draw tightly, but I am used to that from thin Cuban vitolas. The pre light aroma is light and dusty, but has strong cedar notes. The pre light draw shows some sweet, nutty character.
The cigar opens with what I would like to call a WOW moment. I can't recall ever experiencing this type of opening, so subtle and yet so in your face at the same time that I can only call it an enigma. The core profile is of delicious vanilla and light cream, the nuance of the flavors is fantastic, but the depth is profound at the same time. There is an underlying note of light wood that is very interesting as well. At the back of the palate there are further notes of wood and sweet grass. The draw is tight, but I am not concerned at this point. The burn is excellent and a nice shoulder is present early on.
The first half proceeds in much the same way. The core profile is full of vanilla and cream notes and continues to please the palate in a way that is seldom experienced. At the back of the palate there are still excellent notes of wood and sweet grass and the consistency is second to none at this point in the smoke. The draw continues to be tight, but I am managing at this point. The burn loses a bit at the split in the wrapper, but I am able to slow and smoke my way through it.
The final half of the cigar is not quite as profound as the first, but is still excellent. The core profile is now showing hazelnut flavors that have a lingering sweetness that is interesting, but a bit flat. At the back of the palate there flavors become more grassy and lose some of the woody character from earlier in the experience. The draw has become exceedingly difficult and I am fighting to extract smoke in the final quarter. The burn leveled out without issue.
The finish was long and smacked of vanilla and hazelnut flavors.
Appearance- 89 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 94 an excellent profile that could have used more depth and complexity in the back half
Construction- 85 average at best with a burn issue and draw problems
Strength- 97 an excellent medium that complements the profile with exceptional results
Overall- 90.75 a very good experience that was hurt by construction
The cigar itself is a strange thing to behold. Long and pencil thin, it looks very delicate and I was fearful that a rigorous inspection might lead to damage of the smoke. The wrapper had all the hallmarks of a well aged smoke. It was veined well and carried the soft dust of age that indicates proper storage and care. There is one small split in the wrapper and I am concerned in a smoke this size that it could be a problem. An inspection leads me to believe that the cigar may draw tightly, but I am used to that from thin Cuban vitolas. The pre light aroma is light and dusty, but has strong cedar notes. The pre light draw shows some sweet, nutty character.
The cigar opens with what I would like to call a WOW moment. I can't recall ever experiencing this type of opening, so subtle and yet so in your face at the same time that I can only call it an enigma. The core profile is of delicious vanilla and light cream, the nuance of the flavors is fantastic, but the depth is profound at the same time. There is an underlying note of light wood that is very interesting as well. At the back of the palate there are further notes of wood and sweet grass. The draw is tight, but I am not concerned at this point. The burn is excellent and a nice shoulder is present early on.
The first half proceeds in much the same way. The core profile is full of vanilla and cream notes and continues to please the palate in a way that is seldom experienced. At the back of the palate there are still excellent notes of wood and sweet grass and the consistency is second to none at this point in the smoke. The draw continues to be tight, but I am managing at this point. The burn loses a bit at the split in the wrapper, but I am able to slow and smoke my way through it.
The final half of the cigar is not quite as profound as the first, but is still excellent. The core profile is now showing hazelnut flavors that have a lingering sweetness that is interesting, but a bit flat. At the back of the palate there flavors become more grassy and lose some of the woody character from earlier in the experience. The draw has become exceedingly difficult and I am fighting to extract smoke in the final quarter. The burn leveled out without issue.
The finish was long and smacked of vanilla and hazelnut flavors.
Appearance- 89 a nice looking smoke
Taste- 94 an excellent profile that could have used more depth and complexity in the back half
Construction- 85 average at best with a burn issue and draw problems
Strength- 97 an excellent medium that complements the profile with exceptional results
Overall- 90.75 a very good experience that was hurt by construction
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Tabaqueros 750 (7x50)
I will start off by saying that gimmicky cigars drive me nutty. Two wrappers, double wrapped, gigantic ring gauges etc....are all usually eye catchers to distract we the smoker from the fact that some company has wrapped up some dog turd and tried to pass it off as a premium cigar, I thought this crap stopped when the boom ended. I was apparently wrong because we have seen an unprecedented number of dos capas and other silly ideas floating around in the last year and a half or so.
The reason for the above diatribe is this cigar that I am reviewing, it is a dos capa vitola from La Gloria. The two inch section nearest the foot is covered in what appears to be a Connecticut shade varietal, while the rest of the smoke is draped in a dry and toothy wrapper that appears to be some sort of dark habano leaf (I am not one to research what leaves are used and such, I just smoke and report back to you). The visual impression is intersting, and they top off the presentation by putting the band on two thirds of the way down the cigar, so as to draw the eye to the gimmick. The construction concerns me as the cigar feels spongy, and I am concerned about how it will smoke. The pre light aroma is floral. The pre light draw is a touch sharp and almost bitter, but has some notes of spice.
The cigar opens with some bitter flavors of dry vegetation, but they dissipate rather quickly as the cigar progresses. There are some sweet floral impressions and a light peppery quality to smoke as it settles in over the first inch. At the back of the palate there are some impressions of dark wood, but there is an ashy flavor that hurts the performance early on. The draw is a bit tense for me, but I am not sensing any issues to this point. The burn is fading fast and I can tell already I will be in for some fight with this smoke.
The Connecticut part of the smoke proceeds for the two inches, or so, as I described above. Then the darker part of the cigar kicks in. I note a profile shift almost immediately and I am pleasantly surprised when the cigar takes a turn for the better. The core flavors are of cocoa and slightly scalded coffee, they couple with some peppery tones that are unbalanced when weighed against the other flavor components. At the back of the palate there are some loamy flavors showing through. The burn is a fight and I have to relight several times during this smoke, I believe that the cigar is too wet. The draw is also still too tight, but is loosening perceptibly.
The final half of this cigar settles in nicely. The core profile shifts yet again and shows some interesting mixes of peppery and a sweetness that I believe reminds me of honey. At the back of the palate there are gentle floral impressions and crisp notes of light wood. This cigar really has too much going on and the balance, complexity and depth are all hurt by that. The burn is a lost cause and saps much of the enjoyment that could have been had from this smoke. The draw remained a touch tight throughout.
The finish was nice and smooth with notes of crisp, light wood.
Appearance- 80 this dos capas thing does nothing for me, some like it and some don't, I don't
Taste- 86 a slightly above average experience, but the back half was very pleasant
Construction- 73 the burn was so terrible that I could have scored it worse
Strength- 88 a nice medium smoke
Overall- 81 a very sub par effort, I may buy some and age them and see how they perform
The reason for the above diatribe is this cigar that I am reviewing, it is a dos capa vitola from La Gloria. The two inch section nearest the foot is covered in what appears to be a Connecticut shade varietal, while the rest of the smoke is draped in a dry and toothy wrapper that appears to be some sort of dark habano leaf (I am not one to research what leaves are used and such, I just smoke and report back to you). The visual impression is intersting, and they top off the presentation by putting the band on two thirds of the way down the cigar, so as to draw the eye to the gimmick. The construction concerns me as the cigar feels spongy, and I am concerned about how it will smoke. The pre light aroma is floral. The pre light draw is a touch sharp and almost bitter, but has some notes of spice.
The cigar opens with some bitter flavors of dry vegetation, but they dissipate rather quickly as the cigar progresses. There are some sweet floral impressions and a light peppery quality to smoke as it settles in over the first inch. At the back of the palate there are some impressions of dark wood, but there is an ashy flavor that hurts the performance early on. The draw is a bit tense for me, but I am not sensing any issues to this point. The burn is fading fast and I can tell already I will be in for some fight with this smoke.
The Connecticut part of the smoke proceeds for the two inches, or so, as I described above. Then the darker part of the cigar kicks in. I note a profile shift almost immediately and I am pleasantly surprised when the cigar takes a turn for the better. The core flavors are of cocoa and slightly scalded coffee, they couple with some peppery tones that are unbalanced when weighed against the other flavor components. At the back of the palate there are some loamy flavors showing through. The burn is a fight and I have to relight several times during this smoke, I believe that the cigar is too wet. The draw is also still too tight, but is loosening perceptibly.
The final half of this cigar settles in nicely. The core profile shifts yet again and shows some interesting mixes of peppery and a sweetness that I believe reminds me of honey. At the back of the palate there are gentle floral impressions and crisp notes of light wood. This cigar really has too much going on and the balance, complexity and depth are all hurt by that. The burn is a lost cause and saps much of the enjoyment that could have been had from this smoke. The draw remained a touch tight throughout.
The finish was nice and smooth with notes of crisp, light wood.
Appearance- 80 this dos capas thing does nothing for me, some like it and some don't, I don't
Taste- 86 a slightly above average experience, but the back half was very pleasant
Construction- 73 the burn was so terrible that I could have scored it worse
Strength- 88 a nice medium smoke
Overall- 81 a very sub par effort, I may buy some and age them and see how they perform
Thursday, January 28, 2010
La Gloria Cubana Medaille D'Or (Box Date 1997)
Recently I was watching conference championship games with my dearest friend. It had been a day of food, cigars and football and I was disappointed that it was drawing to a close. As I finished what I thought was my last cigar of the day, my friend said the words that all Brothers of the Leaf long to hear, "I have something special for us to close with". I indicated that I was smoked out, and he relented saying that he would smoke something else and we could smoke the special selection another time. My curiosity piqued I asked what he had in store and he indicated that it was a 1997 La Gloria Cubana. Having never smoked a La Gloria before, and after asking myself what kind of cigar guy I thought I was after saying I was smoked out I decided without further hesitation to give it a go. I mean, after all, who am I to turn down a cigar proffered in the finest spirit of the cigar brotherhood?
The cigar was a thing of beauty. The wrapper was a light, yellowish/brown presentation. There were prominent veins, but it only added to the appeal of the panatela sized smoke. The veins made the cigar look older than I knew it to be, it was showing it's veins like long sutured and healed scars from bygone medical treatments. It does not sound appealing, but I know that cigars that show this character are well aged and well cared for. The construction was delicate, but solid. The panatela size is something to behold, long and pencil thin, yet somehow majestic. An inspection of the cigar revealed that it was firm, but unduly so. I reluctantly ended the visual experience and clipped the head. I inhaled the pre light aroma and savored it ever so cautiously, wanting to imprint each impression in my mind. There were notes of light tobacco, sweet grass and light spice. I then took a test draw with the timidity of a curious child and was rewarded with a preview of molasses and sweet grass, coupled with light spice and tobacco notes that were singularly unique.
I toasted the foot already knowing what was in store for me. The cigar began with a profile of sweet, grassy notes and a nice light tobacco flavor that could only be characterised as crisp or fresh. At the back of the palate and through the nose I detected notes of bread and more light tobacco flavors. The opening subtlety of this smoke is astonishing to me. It is a mix flavors that I have never experienced before. It is well documented that grassy flavors are usually repugnant to me, but in this instance I was taken to fields of freshly cut grass and the smells of clover on a warm Midwestern day. In essence it was a walk through my childhood, and it was intense. The draw was even, if a bit tight, and it imparted flavors perfectly across the palate. The burn was also sharp and showed a nice shoulder, as a well aged cigar should.
The first third of the cigar continued to be a walk through my childhood days in the Midwestern fields that I used to play in with friends. The sweet grass notes intensify, but the light tobacco flavor is only complimented by the intensity. At the back of the palate the beautiful notes of bready flavors continues to move gracefully with the rest of the profile, like blades of grass on a windy day slowly lulling you into contemplative introspection. The draw maintains a high quality and the burn continues to burn with determination showing an excellent shoulder throughout.
The middle third of the cigar shows a profile shift, not an in your face shift, but a gentle shift like the movement of the wind on a lazy day. The sweet grassy flavors have transitioned into a melange of molasses and light, toasty tobacco notes. I am reminded of Christmas cookies that my mother used to make, they always had just the right amount of molasses in them and so does this smoke. At the back of the palate some notes of light wood show through and mingle in a pleasing way with the core of the profile. The draw continues to be impressive and the burn is showing me the level of care that has been taken with this cigar.
The final third shows yet another shift in the profile. Molasses notes give way to notes of sweet bread and toasty tobacco. This cigar is a challenge to the senses and it lulls me into a silent reverie of reflection and relaxation. The football fades into the background and the world becomes all about the cigar and the incredible gift that my friend has bestowed upon me. At the back of the palate more notes of light wood permeate the experience lending to complexity that is seldom seen in a cigar. The draw and burn are superior.
The finish is long and smooth showing notes of molasses, tobacco and light wood. The game ends long before the cigar, but I do not notice. My head is full of memories from days long past and I can only thank my friend for the experience. I will never smoke a cigar like this again....
Appearance- 94 one of the most interesting cigars I have seen
Taste- 98 a near perfect profile showing intense complexity and depth
Construction- 95 the initial draw was a bit tight, but the rest of the cigar performs beautifully
Strength- 96 a fine medium that compliments the profile
Overall- 96 a classic cigar that will forever be remembered
The cigar was a thing of beauty. The wrapper was a light, yellowish/brown presentation. There were prominent veins, but it only added to the appeal of the panatela sized smoke. The veins made the cigar look older than I knew it to be, it was showing it's veins like long sutured and healed scars from bygone medical treatments. It does not sound appealing, but I know that cigars that show this character are well aged and well cared for. The construction was delicate, but solid. The panatela size is something to behold, long and pencil thin, yet somehow majestic. An inspection of the cigar revealed that it was firm, but unduly so. I reluctantly ended the visual experience and clipped the head. I inhaled the pre light aroma and savored it ever so cautiously, wanting to imprint each impression in my mind. There were notes of light tobacco, sweet grass and light spice. I then took a test draw with the timidity of a curious child and was rewarded with a preview of molasses and sweet grass, coupled with light spice and tobacco notes that were singularly unique.
I toasted the foot already knowing what was in store for me. The cigar began with a profile of sweet, grassy notes and a nice light tobacco flavor that could only be characterised as crisp or fresh. At the back of the palate and through the nose I detected notes of bread and more light tobacco flavors. The opening subtlety of this smoke is astonishing to me. It is a mix flavors that I have never experienced before. It is well documented that grassy flavors are usually repugnant to me, but in this instance I was taken to fields of freshly cut grass and the smells of clover on a warm Midwestern day. In essence it was a walk through my childhood, and it was intense. The draw was even, if a bit tight, and it imparted flavors perfectly across the palate. The burn was also sharp and showed a nice shoulder, as a well aged cigar should.
The first third of the cigar continued to be a walk through my childhood days in the Midwestern fields that I used to play in with friends. The sweet grass notes intensify, but the light tobacco flavor is only complimented by the intensity. At the back of the palate the beautiful notes of bready flavors continues to move gracefully with the rest of the profile, like blades of grass on a windy day slowly lulling you into contemplative introspection. The draw maintains a high quality and the burn continues to burn with determination showing an excellent shoulder throughout.
The middle third of the cigar shows a profile shift, not an in your face shift, but a gentle shift like the movement of the wind on a lazy day. The sweet grassy flavors have transitioned into a melange of molasses and light, toasty tobacco notes. I am reminded of Christmas cookies that my mother used to make, they always had just the right amount of molasses in them and so does this smoke. At the back of the palate some notes of light wood show through and mingle in a pleasing way with the core of the profile. The draw continues to be impressive and the burn is showing me the level of care that has been taken with this cigar.
The final third shows yet another shift in the profile. Molasses notes give way to notes of sweet bread and toasty tobacco. This cigar is a challenge to the senses and it lulls me into a silent reverie of reflection and relaxation. The football fades into the background and the world becomes all about the cigar and the incredible gift that my friend has bestowed upon me. At the back of the palate more notes of light wood permeate the experience lending to complexity that is seldom seen in a cigar. The draw and burn are superior.
The finish is long and smooth showing notes of molasses, tobacco and light wood. The game ends long before the cigar, but I do not notice. My head is full of memories from days long past and I can only thank my friend for the experience. I will never smoke a cigar like this again....
Appearance- 94 one of the most interesting cigars I have seen
Taste- 98 a near perfect profile showing intense complexity and depth
Construction- 95 the initial draw was a bit tight, but the rest of the cigar performs beautifully
Strength- 96 a fine medium that compliments the profile
Overall- 96 a classic cigar that will forever be remembered
Monday, January 25, 2010
La Gloria Cubana Serie R No.7 Maduro
This is a gigantic cigar. I prefer cigars that are much smaller in stature, but even I am awed by the size of this log. The wrapper is a deep brown that is nearly black. The cigar is solid, but I detect some areas that might be too hard and cause some smoking issues. The pre light aroma is of earth, dark wood and rich tobacco. The pre light draw shows notes of coffee, tobacco and earth.
The cigar opens with strong blasts of earth and dark coffee notes. At the back of the palate there are some sharp flavors of dark wood, but a lingering sweetness offsets some of the sharper notes. The draw is free and easy, producing scads of smoke. The burn is uneven and it is threatening to canoe.
The first third of the cigar continues to show strong coffee and earth flavors. The depth of the profile is impressive, but it lacks complexity. At the back of the palate there is a pleasing mix of dark wood and sweet coffee flavors that add to the depth of the experience. The draw continues to perform very well, but the burn is canoeing horribly and threatening to ruin the experience.
The middle third of the cigar continues to deteriorate in the burn department, but I avoid touching up so as to conserve the profile. The core of the profile continues to show nice notes of coffee and earth, but there are some notes of dark wood that have come into the mix as well. The back of the palate continues to be sated with flavors of sweet coffee and some light pepper. The draw stays excellent.
The final third of the cigar shows a profile change that is nice. There core shows notes of pepper and earth with a nice mix of rich tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate the sweet notes have given way to very nice notes of dark wood and deep earthy flavors. The burn is not worth mentioning, as it has deteriorated to being beyond repair. The canoe is so big that in the distance I hear the Banana Boat Song. The draw was consistent throughout.
The finish is a bit short and a little harsh, but showed notes of pepper and earth.
Appearance- 88 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 89 a nice profile that lacked complexity
Construction- 80 the burn was terrible, but the draw was excellent
Strength- 87 a nice full bodied cigar that could use more pep
Overall- 85.5 slightly above average due to poor burn
The cigar opens with strong blasts of earth and dark coffee notes. At the back of the palate there are some sharp flavors of dark wood, but a lingering sweetness offsets some of the sharper notes. The draw is free and easy, producing scads of smoke. The burn is uneven and it is threatening to canoe.
The first third of the cigar continues to show strong coffee and earth flavors. The depth of the profile is impressive, but it lacks complexity. At the back of the palate there is a pleasing mix of dark wood and sweet coffee flavors that add to the depth of the experience. The draw continues to perform very well, but the burn is canoeing horribly and threatening to ruin the experience.
The middle third of the cigar continues to deteriorate in the burn department, but I avoid touching up so as to conserve the profile. The core of the profile continues to show nice notes of coffee and earth, but there are some notes of dark wood that have come into the mix as well. The back of the palate continues to be sated with flavors of sweet coffee and some light pepper. The draw stays excellent.
The final third of the cigar shows a profile change that is nice. There core shows notes of pepper and earth with a nice mix of rich tobacco flavors. At the back of the palate the sweet notes have given way to very nice notes of dark wood and deep earthy flavors. The burn is not worth mentioning, as it has deteriorated to being beyond repair. The canoe is so big that in the distance I hear the Banana Boat Song. The draw was consistent throughout.
The finish is a bit short and a little harsh, but showed notes of pepper and earth.
Appearance- 88 a nice looking cigar
Taste- 89 a nice profile that lacked complexity
Construction- 80 the burn was terrible, but the draw was excellent
Strength- 87 a nice full bodied cigar that could use more pep
Overall- 85.5 slightly above average due to poor burn
Monday, September 28, 2009
La Gloria Cubana Artesanos de Miami Gran Corona Especial
Perhaps the longest name to ever grace a cigar, this smoke presents with a dull brown wrapper that appears in some spots to have an almost greenish look. There is prominent veining, but the wrapper appears to be applied well. The cigar is solid and firm, but not too firm. The pre light aroma is of cedar with a light dusting of roasted nuts. The pre light aroma has notes of pepper and spice.
The cigar opens with notes of sweet spice, not quite cinnamon but sweeter than nutmeg. The smoke is ample, largely credited to the easy draw. The burn is a bit uneven, but it is not causing any issues. The first inch and a half moves on in this uneventful fashion.
Just before the halfway point the profile develops a thin grassy note, there are also flavors of leather and spice. The burn has stayed uneven, but it is not causing any issues of note. The draw has remained easy to this point.
The final half of the cigar maintains a grassy note. There are also flavors of leather and spice, but the smoke lacks complexity and depth. The uneven burn leads to a bit of unravelling in the final two inches and the ash becomes a flaky mess. I don't relight and finish the smoke under duress.
The finish is thin and a bit off. There are grassy notes, but a nice flavor of leather and nuts.
Appearance- 87 not too bad, just lacking lustre
Taste- 83 could use more depth and complexity, but the flavors that are there are pleasant with the exception of the grassy notes
Construction- 82 the ending issues hurt the score
Strength- 85 an unremarkable medium
Overall- 84.25 an average smoke that would do well with more depth
The cigar opens with notes of sweet spice, not quite cinnamon but sweeter than nutmeg. The smoke is ample, largely credited to the easy draw. The burn is a bit uneven, but it is not causing any issues. The first inch and a half moves on in this uneventful fashion.
Just before the halfway point the profile develops a thin grassy note, there are also flavors of leather and spice. The burn has stayed uneven, but it is not causing any issues of note. The draw has remained easy to this point.
The final half of the cigar maintains a grassy note. There are also flavors of leather and spice, but the smoke lacks complexity and depth. The uneven burn leads to a bit of unravelling in the final two inches and the ash becomes a flaky mess. I don't relight and finish the smoke under duress.
The finish is thin and a bit off. There are grassy notes, but a nice flavor of leather and nuts.
Appearance- 87 not too bad, just lacking lustre
Taste- 83 could use more depth and complexity, but the flavors that are there are pleasant with the exception of the grassy notes
Construction- 82 the ending issues hurt the score
Strength- 85 an unremarkable medium
Overall- 84.25 an average smoke that would do well with more depth
Friday, September 18, 2009
La Gloria Cubana Serie R No.3 Maduro
This is a gigantic ring gauge smoke. As I have established in previous posts, big ring is not my thing, but I am going to give this a go anyway. The cigar is beautiful, the wrapper is dark (near black), there are few veins and no visible flaws. A light probing of the cigar yields no flaws and it appears to be well made. The pre light aroma is heady, with notes of coffee and rich tobacco essence. The pre light draw shows notes of rich earth, coffee and tobacco.
This cigar begins with a more mild profile than I remembered, or expected. There are fine notes of rich, full tobacco co-mingled with coffee and earth. The burn is sharp and the draw is excellent. A big white ash is forming and appears to be very solid.
The cigar continues to develop well through the first half and there is a deepening of the core flavors. Coffee, earth and tobacco continue to mingle pleasingly across the palate. The burn is sharp and the draw is still excellent, producing plenty of smoke.
The final half of the cigar picks up steam. There are notes of pepper and rich earth, there continues to be a light note of coffee on the back of the palate. The burn was excellent throughout and the draw was fine.
The finish is long and coats the palate with an array of peppery, earthy notes.
Appearance- 93 and excellent looking smoke
Taste- 91 surprising depth and flavor, but could use more complexity
Construction- 95 this was nearly flawless
Strength- 88 surprisingly medium in the beginning before strengthening at the end. I would have preferred the strength for the duration
Overall- 91.75 a surprising score for a surprising smoke
This cigar begins with a more mild profile than I remembered, or expected. There are fine notes of rich, full tobacco co-mingled with coffee and earth. The burn is sharp and the draw is excellent. A big white ash is forming and appears to be very solid.
The cigar continues to develop well through the first half and there is a deepening of the core flavors. Coffee, earth and tobacco continue to mingle pleasingly across the palate. The burn is sharp and the draw is still excellent, producing plenty of smoke.
The final half of the cigar picks up steam. There are notes of pepper and rich earth, there continues to be a light note of coffee on the back of the palate. The burn was excellent throughout and the draw was fine.
The finish is long and coats the palate with an array of peppery, earthy notes.
Appearance- 93 and excellent looking smoke
Taste- 91 surprising depth and flavor, but could use more complexity
Construction- 95 this was nearly flawless
Strength- 88 surprisingly medium in the beginning before strengthening at the end. I would have preferred the strength for the duration
Overall- 91.75 a surprising score for a surprising smoke
La Gloria Cubana Wavell Natural
I had not smoke one of these in nearly a decade, it is sometimes fun to revisit an old standby. The cigar presents with a light brown wrapper than has a slightly greenish appearance, it also seems as if it might be a bit dry. An inspection reveals that the construction should be acceptable, I detect no firm or soft spots and the cigar appears to be well made. The pre light aroma is grassy with light notes of earth. The pre light draw is slightly floral and grassy.
The cigar begins with some acrid notes. I detect hints of paper and grass, but there is a floral, earthy note at the back of the palate. The draw is nearly flawless and the cigar produces ample smoke. The burn develops well with a dirty gray ash.
At just past a third of the way into the cigar the papery and grassy notes dissipate and a nice core of floral and earthy flavors develops. There is also a slight note of coffee and the back of the palate and through the nose. The burn has stayed consistent and the ash is developing well.
The final half of the cigar sours a bit. There are still some pleasant floral notes, but the satisfying earthy flavor has given way to some grassy, vegetal notes. There is also some bitterness at the back of the palate that has a flavor of crushed aspirin. The draw and burn are still performing well.
The finish is a bit short with notes of grass and some bitterness.
Appearance- 84 the color of the wrapper detracts from the appeal
Taste- 82 this was hurt by the opening and closing notes
Construction- 93 a well made cigar that drew and performed well
Strength- 80 an unremarkable medium profile
Overall- 84.75 an average smoke
The cigar begins with some acrid notes. I detect hints of paper and grass, but there is a floral, earthy note at the back of the palate. The draw is nearly flawless and the cigar produces ample smoke. The burn develops well with a dirty gray ash.
At just past a third of the way into the cigar the papery and grassy notes dissipate and a nice core of floral and earthy flavors develops. There is also a slight note of coffee and the back of the palate and through the nose. The burn has stayed consistent and the ash is developing well.
The final half of the cigar sours a bit. There are still some pleasant floral notes, but the satisfying earthy flavor has given way to some grassy, vegetal notes. There is also some bitterness at the back of the palate that has a flavor of crushed aspirin. The draw and burn are still performing well.
The finish is a bit short with notes of grass and some bitterness.
Appearance- 84 the color of the wrapper detracts from the appeal
Taste- 82 this was hurt by the opening and closing notes
Construction- 93 a well made cigar that drew and performed well
Strength- 80 an unremarkable medium profile
Overall- 84.75 an average smoke
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