La Gloria Cubana Serie R #5 Review

[Jeff]

Introduction
This La Gloria Cubana Serie R #5 was sent to me from Da Klugs. It is classified as full strength. I believe it has sat in his humidor for a few months already. The Serie R #5 is a 5.5 x 54 stick. They are made in the company's El Credito factory in Miami using Dominican/Nicaraguan filler, Nicaraguan binder, and an Ecuadorian/Connecticut wrapper. These cigars cost about $4.00 per stick if you buy them by the box.

Pre-Light Ruminations
These are quite hefty sticks. They are a fat 54 ring gauge, very well constructed, and firmly packed. The wrapper is fairly smooth and thick with a slightly oily feel. I used my double bladed guillotine cutter to slice an opening in the cap. This was accomplished easily with no damage to the cap.

Initial Thoughts
Right from the beginning the LGC started out mellow but with an incredibly rich flavor. I have never smoked a cigar that began with this much body. The blend was very mellow with no hints of peppery spiciness and not very earthy. This was a straight up rich tobacco flavor I was getting. It lit well and filled my apartment with copious amounts of smoke.

Smoking Experience
With this much taste right at the beginning I was a little worried about what was to come. As I ventured past the first 1/3, I realized I had quite a buzz going so I slowed down a little. When I resumed, the cigar had gone out and I had to remove the ash to relight. It immediately picked up right were I had let off with clouds of smoke and mouthfuls of richness. The flavor remained relatively constant throughout the cigar. However, once I past the 2/3 mark, the cigar was overpowering my palate and leaving an unpleasant aftertaste. At this point I had to put it down because of the sheer strength of flavor and the fact that I was dizzy

[FunkyPorcini]

I smoked one of the Maduros last night. I really enjoyed the first 1/2 but the second half started to get a little too fungel (yes, even for the Porcini). I smoked it down to about 1.5 inches but I enjoyed the first half much much more than the second. It makes me want to try the natural because I get a feeling that funk I got from the second half might have something to do with the maduro.

I'd definately try more.

[Da Klugs]

Jeff your such a wuss. These are only med/full bodied cigars. Better smoke the GH #5 outside of the local hospital. Hey I really like the format of your reviews, so clean so easy to read.

Looking forward to what you think of the gh #3 and salsa. Dems tasty in my book.

[pinoyman]

Originally Posted by Da Klugs

Hey I really like the format of your reviews, so clean so easy to read.

Amigo, I like the format of his review also, I think he did a good job.
you think the admin. people can do some kind of format for reviewing a cigar for people like me? Or can we just copy somebody's format?
I guess It'll be nice, so we don't omit some important facts.
I had about three reviews so far and I guess it went okay. What I'm doing is just telling everybody what I experienced with the cigar.
Hey Mon! Me from the cayman island... Salud!

[floydp]

Nice review Jeff,and yep another stogie to put on the,to try list.. thanks

[miketafc]

Nice Review

Good full bodied cigars can sometimes do that to ya. This is one of my favorites especially with LGC.

Get a nurse and an IV ready before you try the GH #5 or a JDN.

Just had a Sancho Panza Extra Fuerte last night and was really impressed.

[TheSmokingHiker]

I have one in my Humi right now, and I am looking forward to lighting it up!!! Now I know not to try it on an empty stomach.

[dadof3illinois]

Right now these are some of my fav smokes. I love the #4 and #5 in maduro. After smoking several of these I've noticed that you may want to slow down on puffs per min. on the second half. If these start to get hot they tend to put off a bitter taste, just take your time with them and don't get in a hurry. Just my 2 cents.

[D. Generate]

These are really good smokes. Was this a maduro or natural? I've only smoked the maduros, but every time I go into my local shop I feel compelled to pick up a #4 or #5. They are very tasty!

[Jeff]

Sorry, I neglected to mention that it was a maduro wrapper.

[icehog3]

Excellent review Jeff, you hit every nail on the head. Very straightforward tobacco flavor, loads of smoke, really good inexpensive cigar. I had one of these tonight, but I had already smoked a Punch and had a bite to eat, so I didn't get the "buzz" experience that you did.

[Franksmith]

I just had one of these tonight at the cigar shop... not sure what size it was but it was BIG

Excellent smoke right from the start and only got better. I too will add this to the buy list.

[LiteHedded]

I like lgc's ok
but does anyone else have problems with them running up the side as they burn? everyone I've tried has burned poorly for me

[Franksmith]

Originally Posted by LiteHedded

I like lgc's ok
but does anyone else have problems with them running up the side as they burn? everyone I've tried has burned poorly for me

Yeah.... actually mine burned on the poor side but that does not mean much to me if it tastes right and it shonuff did. Ironic part was.... I was looking prices up for this bad boy when I saw the thread reply come through... it must be meant to be

[dadof3illinois]

you've never tried these? These are one of my fav's and I just figured everyone had some in there humi....LOL.

I may be out of the #5 but have some #4's and 6's natural and maduro so if you and Anita would like some just send me your addy and I'll get them to ya.

Originally Posted by floydp

Nice review Jeff,and yep another stogie to put on the,to try list.. thanks