Monday, November 21 2011
Here's a cigar I haven't smoked in a very long time, a La Gloria Cubana Serie R. I'd have to guess that it's been at least two years since I had my last. (I moved to the EPC Cigars line when Ernesto Perez-Carrillo started his new company.) In terms of flavor and blend, both brands are excellent, but have little in common other than the fact that Señor Perez-Carrillo was their original creator. All that aside, the Serie R I smoked recently was the stout little No.3, rolled in an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper leaf. To their credit, Yuri Guillen (GM), Leo Perazza (Master Roller), and "Team La Gloria" Director, Michael Giannini, have kept the La Gloria Cubana name strong and the quality high.
I remember when
La Gloria Cubana Serie R cigars were considered among the strongest on the market. They still pack a nice punch, but nothing close to some of the stronger cigars that have come out since the Serie R made its debut in 1999. To be fair, my No.3 did have a lot of time to mellow a bit in my
humidor.
The construction of this cigar was first-rate with a perfectly-formed cap that clipped-off in a neat round disc. The cold draw was very leathery and somewhat sweet. The cigar lit perfectly and never required any touch-ups or a relight. The smoke was very smooth and creamy with a woody base of sweet and dark tobacco flavors. Due to its 4½ x 56 dimensions, it's not far off in size from a nub cigar, so the cigar doesn't take long to warm up. This cigar also had great balance and never became overpowering or turned bitter, even in the last inch.
Suffice it to say, the La Gloria Serie R is still a great smoke and reasonably priced for a box of 24 cigars. (The No.3 tends to dip below $100/box when on sale, too.)
If you're a newer cigar smoker, and haven't had the chance to smoke a classic, full-flavored cigar, I think you'll be mighty impressed with the la Gloried Serie R selection, and the No.3 would be a good vitola with which to get acquainted.
For more information and current pricing on La Gloria Cuban Serie R cigars, click here.*
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* Prices are subject to change since this posting.
