La Gloria Cubana Glorias Extra Natural Review

[SCS]

Cigar: La Gloria Cubana Glorias Extra Natural (6.2x46)
Cutter: XiKar Xi2
Lighter: Djeep
Beverage: Water

In my few days here some of the threads have lead me to analyze my cigar smoking. I've slowed down, which has helped to get more flavor. La Glorias have always been one of my favorites, but I always smoked the Wavell or larger ring Serie R. After thinking on the posts here about thinner ring cigars having a larger content of wrapper to filler, I decided to try a smaller ring La Gloria.

On the light the cigar was cedary. The first third of the cigar was dominated by the flavor of sweet herbs & sweet spices with hints of cinnamon & floral herbs. There was no noticeable aftertaste. At this point I was wondering if my deviation to a smaller ring La Gloria was a mistake.

As I moved into the middle third peppery tones began to enter. The sweet spices grew in depth to an almost pumpkin spice like flavor. A coffee & tobacco aftertaste began to emerge.

As I moved into the back half of the second third the pepper, sweet herbs, and sweet spices intensified. Creamy coffee tones emerged, the tobacco & coffee aftertaste became more noticeable.

The last third of this cigar was great. I was getting alternating distinct flavors on the draw, exhale, and aftertaste. Flavors on the draw ranged from sweet & peppery, to sweet creamy tobacco, to coffee & cream. The exhale varied from sweet herbs, to spicy herbs, to sweet & spicy herbs. The aftertaste fluctuated tobacco, to sweet tobacco, to peppery tobacco, to sweet & peppery tobacco.

The flavor & spice intensity built like a crescendo throughout the cigar, until it peaked at a very peppery, pumpkin spice & burnt marshmallow finish at the nub.

This one builds slowly, and then blows you away.

[orca99usa]

The Serie R maduro is one of my humidor staples. I would like to buy the #7 but they have gotten so pricey I usually buy a #4 or #5. I have wondered about the Extra, since I like most things LGC. Thanks for the review.

[SCS]

I'm definitely a LGC & LGC Serie R maduro fan, but I feel your pain on the Serie R pricing. The B&M here didn't have the Glorias nor Glorias Extra in maduro, so natural it was. Based on other LGCs I've smoked I think a Glorias Extra maduro would be a very good stick. The Wavell maduro at $75 / box of 25 is a darn good $3 short smoke.

I'm glad you liked the review. If you do buy some Glorias Extras be patient. During the first third I was seriously thinking "This is it? Maybe the thin ring gauge doesn't allow enough room for more flavorful filler." I kept with it out of confidence from how good every other LGC I've smoked was. It will pick up after a little time.

[orca99usa]

A local B&M sells the Wavells in both natural and maduro wrappers. When I am in I usually pick up a few maduros. They are just about ideal for the commute to work, when I don't have an hour or so to devote to a smoke.