05-26-2011, 06:03 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-26-2011, 06:15 AM by B-Dub Cigar Ambassador.)
La Gloria Cubana Serie N JSB
5.5" x 54RG
Country: Dominican Republic
Factory: El Credito
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Capa Oscura
Binder: Propriatory Nicaraguan
Filler: Propriatory Nicaraguan
From www.teamlagloria.com:
"La Gloria Cubana Serie N is the brainchild of Yuri Guillen (General Cigar Dominicana’s production manager of manufacturing) who developed this new collection in concert with Michael Giannini and Rick Rodriguez, collectively known as Team La Gloria Cubana."
Retailer Description:
"Serie N is a bolder, richer addition to the storied La Gloria Cubana line. Crafted with a pitch-black Oscuro wrapper leaf, and a proprietary Nicaraguan binder and filler blend, Serie N unleashes a bold, complex profile. Notes of coffee, cocoa, pepper are finished by slight sweetness. Delicious indeed."
These cigars appeared on CI's daily special, and I couldn't resist paying $34.99 to pick up 10 of these new cigars. They were sitting on my desk when I got home last night, and now I'm burning one down this morning with some strong coffee and cold cranberry juice. (I like to pair dark cigars with cranberry, as they seem to complement nicely, and the astringent juice is an effective palatte cleanser.)
The cigar is not exactly black, but a very dark brown with a lighter brown "N" glued onto the front below the elegant band. The stick is very solid, and the guillotine sliced through the crisp tobacco perfectly. The draw is just about perfectly taut... no problem with that.
As I toasted up the foot, some of the filler was initially slower to combust. The wrapper seems quite oily, and there was one side that was slower to burn at first. However, after knocking the first inch-long ash, the burn corrected itself into mostly even. I like when a cigar does that on its own.
The initial taste is that typical maduro flavor: deep, dark, slightly sweet, and earthy. After half an inch, the black pepper really began to speak. I was able to slide off the handsome red, white, yellow and gold band without issue. The cigar is producing a fair amount of smoke, as long as I pay enough attention to keep it going. I've not had to relight it; but it came close at one point, when I spent too much time typing between puffs.
Well, dangit, I spoke too soon. After twisting the ash against the side of my ashtray, the cigar went out. Relighting now, and realizing that the nicotine and caffeine are definitely waking me up this morning. I'll be sure to leave some ash on, from here on out, to encourage a continuous burn. I'm curious to see how the pasted "N" will affect the flavor and burn, if at all.
I'll pause with my review for the moment to say just how pleased I am to be up and smoking early this morning. My 2-month-old infant, Jonathan, woke me up around 3:45am and I wasn't able to get back to sleep. After five and a half months into the year without a vacation, I'm looking forward to the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and this cigar might just help lift my spirits as these last two workdays crawl by. Gosh, I'm looking forward to a bit more smoking time near the end of June.
Sooo... the "N" has had no effect on the taste or burn, although it looked really cool. The appearance was similar to the Master Blends laser etching, although the means of achieving this look is completely different. I was a little surprised when I slid off the cellophane and discovered that this was in fact a patch. Very interesting.
The flavor continues with more of the same initial profile, which is fine with me. The black pepper is nice on the middle of my mouth, and now Missus Dub has delivered some scrambled eggs with spicy sausage. I think I'll wait to dig in until afterward, but the sausage will be a nice follow-up.
I have to say that I'm pleased with this cigar, especially considering the price point and the mixed reviews that I've read on this line. It tastes good right off the truck, and the power might even kick up a notch if it dried out in the humidor a bit. Sure glad I have nine more to go. I could also see this pairing nicely with some bourbon or a snifter of Chivas Regal 12-year-old blended Scotch.
Whoops! Almost let it die out agan. Silly Smurf.
Outside, the sun has come up and the birds are chirping. The weatherman tells me that it will be 95 degrees in Raleigh today. I guess this cigar won't be the only thing burning this afternoon. (There is a patch in the front yard that is browning out already. What to do? What to do?) This cigar has me in a good mood, at any rate.
I would recommend that this cigar be picked up whenever it goes on sale. It's an affordable addition to the humidor when you're just wanting a satisfying cigar without anything too exotic.
Puffy Smurf
5.5" x 54RG
Country: Dominican Republic
Factory: El Credito
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Capa Oscura
Binder: Propriatory Nicaraguan
Filler: Propriatory Nicaraguan
From www.teamlagloria.com:
"La Gloria Cubana Serie N is the brainchild of Yuri Guillen (General Cigar Dominicana’s production manager of manufacturing) who developed this new collection in concert with Michael Giannini and Rick Rodriguez, collectively known as Team La Gloria Cubana."
Retailer Description:
"Serie N is a bolder, richer addition to the storied La Gloria Cubana line. Crafted with a pitch-black Oscuro wrapper leaf, and a proprietary Nicaraguan binder and filler blend, Serie N unleashes a bold, complex profile. Notes of coffee, cocoa, pepper are finished by slight sweetness. Delicious indeed."
These cigars appeared on CI's daily special, and I couldn't resist paying $34.99 to pick up 10 of these new cigars. They were sitting on my desk when I got home last night, and now I'm burning one down this morning with some strong coffee and cold cranberry juice. (I like to pair dark cigars with cranberry, as they seem to complement nicely, and the astringent juice is an effective palatte cleanser.)
The cigar is not exactly black, but a very dark brown with a lighter brown "N" glued onto the front below the elegant band. The stick is very solid, and the guillotine sliced through the crisp tobacco perfectly. The draw is just about perfectly taut... no problem with that.
As I toasted up the foot, some of the filler was initially slower to combust. The wrapper seems quite oily, and there was one side that was slower to burn at first. However, after knocking the first inch-long ash, the burn corrected itself into mostly even. I like when a cigar does that on its own.
The initial taste is that typical maduro flavor: deep, dark, slightly sweet, and earthy. After half an inch, the black pepper really began to speak. I was able to slide off the handsome red, white, yellow and gold band without issue. The cigar is producing a fair amount of smoke, as long as I pay enough attention to keep it going. I've not had to relight it; but it came close at one point, when I spent too much time typing between puffs.
Well, dangit, I spoke too soon. After twisting the ash against the side of my ashtray, the cigar went out. Relighting now, and realizing that the nicotine and caffeine are definitely waking me up this morning. I'll be sure to leave some ash on, from here on out, to encourage a continuous burn. I'm curious to see how the pasted "N" will affect the flavor and burn, if at all.
I'll pause with my review for the moment to say just how pleased I am to be up and smoking early this morning. My 2-month-old infant, Jonathan, woke me up around 3:45am and I wasn't able to get back to sleep. After five and a half months into the year without a vacation, I'm looking forward to the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and this cigar might just help lift my spirits as these last two workdays crawl by. Gosh, I'm looking forward to a bit more smoking time near the end of June.
Sooo... the "N" has had no effect on the taste or burn, although it looked really cool. The appearance was similar to the Master Blends laser etching, although the means of achieving this look is completely different. I was a little surprised when I slid off the cellophane and discovered that this was in fact a patch. Very interesting.
The flavor continues with more of the same initial profile, which is fine with me. The black pepper is nice on the middle of my mouth, and now Missus Dub has delivered some scrambled eggs with spicy sausage. I think I'll wait to dig in until afterward, but the sausage will be a nice follow-up.
I have to say that I'm pleased with this cigar, especially considering the price point and the mixed reviews that I've read on this line. It tastes good right off the truck, and the power might even kick up a notch if it dried out in the humidor a bit. Sure glad I have nine more to go. I could also see this pairing nicely with some bourbon or a snifter of Chivas Regal 12-year-old blended Scotch.
Whoops! Almost let it die out agan. Silly Smurf.
Outside, the sun has come up and the birds are chirping. The weatherman tells me that it will be 95 degrees in Raleigh today. I guess this cigar won't be the only thing burning this afternoon. (There is a patch in the front yard that is browning out already. What to do? What to do?) This cigar has me in a good mood, at any rate.
I would recommend that this cigar be picked up whenever it goes on sale. It's an affordable addition to the humidor when you're just wanting a satisfying cigar without anything too exotic.
Puffy Smurf
No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets!!!
