Monday, February 13 2012
Guillermo Leon Signature Gran CoronaCountry of Origin: Dominican Republic
Size: 6" x 47
Strength: Medium
Wrapper: Habano (Ecuador)
Filler: DR, Peru, Nicaragua, Brazil
Binder: Cameroon & Dominican Corojo
Presentation: Box of 20 cigars & 5-packs
Location smoked: Friend's house
Appearance and feel: Very attractive, even in color, virtually free of veins, well-packed, velevety to the touch.
Paired with: Bolla Merlot
Draw: Excellent
Pre-light flavor: Earthy, woody and a little sweet
Toasting & Light: Toasted up evenly and lit well.
First puff: Very creamy, woody with a note of sweetness.
Retrohale: Peppery
Base flavors: Sweet wood, nutmeg, hint of white pepper
Aroma: Sweet and very appealing
Burn / Ash: Burn was a little uneven at times, but the cigar held up nicely to several touch-ups and relights (from going out). The ash was very fine, milky in color, somewhat firm, and not flaky.
General Observations: This is a size I have really come to love. It's virtually the same size as one of my all-time favorites, the
Fuente 8-5-8 Flor Fina, which got me into this size. The smoke was well balanced, semi-sweet with a predominantly woody flavor. Some spicier notes appeared in the second half as well as nutmeg and a note of espresso. It was also at this point that the cigar became much more complex. With this many different tobaccos all chugging at once, it really delivers a lot of flavor, and I would classify it more as "medium-full."
Summary: The first time I smoked this cigar (same size) was with Jose Blanco and Guillermo Leon in Señor Leon's office during ProCigar 2011 last February. I liked it instantly and paired it with espresso. It wasn't until I bought a box a couple of months ago that I got into this
blend. The
cigars have settled nicely, and I would classify this cigar as more of an after-dinner smoke. You should smoke it under conditions where you can really relax and concentrate on it, or you may miss a lot of its finer qualities. As you can see from my photo, I smoked it down to about an inch, yet this nubber never became bitter, even with all the touch-ups and relights. For me, this is the sign of a really well-made cigar. The only negative was the slightly irregular burn, but past GLS Gran Coronas I've smoked did not exhibit this. I think pairing it with espresso or a dark liquor might make for a better match, though. Highly recommended for smokers at all levels of experience.
Rating: ♦♦♦
See all Guillermo Leon Signature cigars.
Rating scale ♦ = Fair to Midland
♦♦ = Good
♦♦♦ = Excellent
♦♦♦♦ = Outstanding
♦♦♦♦♦ = Extraordinary
