La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale Cigar Review
I received some samples from General Cigar for this review. My reviews are my own because I’m a moral person and because if I sold reviews no one would trust me. But mostly because I’m a moral person. Enjoy!
La Gloria Cubana has injected some nitrous into it’s line of cigars recently by launching line extensions like the La Gloria Cubana Serie N. It’s true, I didn’t particularly care for that cigar. But what about this cigar?
First off, here’s a little background info from La Gloria’s website:
Team La Gloria set out to break the mold with the blend of the Artesanos Retro Especiale by cross-breeding a Connecticut seed, which was then cultivated in Honduras. The maiden crop yielded a hearty, golden wrapper as noteworthy for its color as it is for allowing each of the cigar’s components to enjoy equal bearing on the overall taste of the cigar. Each of the frontmarks is uniquely packaged with a different design and bears a classic name that hearkens back to El Credito’s early days.
If this is a good cigar then some credit must go to Mendel for his pioneering genetic research with peas, Ricardo for providing the economic rationale for growing seed developed in Connecticut in the tropical climes of Honduras and most of the credit should go to the children because it is for them that we all smoke. Without their contributions this cigar and most of the others would not get made.
It’s a good looking cigar but I do not think that the wrapper is “golden.” Sienna maybe, but not golden. Oh, but that doesn’t really matter; nor does the tightness with which this cigar is packed. The two largish veins do give me some pause for concern but with all the samples I have smoked as of yet there have not been any problems with the draw or the burn; at least nothing too bad to make note of. Alright, now onto the review.
Cigar Stats
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Wrapper: Honduran Connecticut Seed
Binder: Nicaraguan & Mexican
Filler: Nicaraguan & Dominican
Price: $7.25/Single | $101.00/Box of 25
Legendary Smoke!
The first flavor to greet my palate is bright spice that is bolstered by flowery sweetness. In the background there are rich maple notes that gives the flavor profile some heft and balance. Even with the maple this cigar is very light and refreshing; solid start.
Transitioning to the second third and the biggest difference is not in the composition of the flavors but rather in the intensity of the flavors from the first third. It’s sort of like when a car gets a super charger installed, the flavors are just more robust. And that is a good thing because, while these flavors are not extraordinary, they are very good. It’s a cigar that piques your interest and, even though there hasn’t been any evolution in flavors, it is able to keep my interest.
Unfortunately, as is sometimes the case with cigars, the final third was a bit of a letdown. It wasn’t bad, per se, but it was just a little flat with the spice vanishing like a Randy Johnson slider and the maple getting watered down. The floral flavor was still pretty strong and it did provide the lone bright spot for the final third.
Even though the final third did have its problems the first two thirds of the cigar were really good; a solid 91 point cigar. When counting the final third and taking into consideration the fact that this medium bodied cigar had a good draw and burn I am going to have to bring down the final score a little.
89 points
Casa Magna Colorado Cigar Review
Yes, I have reviewed the Casa Magna Colorado before but this is a different size and it has been quite a while since I reviewed one of these cigars. There’s that and the fact that Cigars Direct sent me this cigar and I am somewhat obligated to review it. Thanks guys!
The Casa Magna Torito is short and stubby measuring in at 4 ¾” x 60 ring gauge. While that is a little bit thicker than I prefer I have liked some cigars from this line in the past. Perhaps this one will surprise me.
Good construction with a fairly uniform medium-dark brown color to the wrapper. There is a small hole that is close to the foot of this cigar but that is the only imperfection worth noting.
Cigar Stats
Length: 4 ¾″
Ring Gauge: 60
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: $27.00/5 Pack | $162.00/30 Pack
JJ for JJ Flame!
It’s starts out pretty good but I am trepidatious about how the flavor profile is forming up; almost like it is watered down. But the flavors I am getting are good. Mole sauce, dark wood and some nuts. Spice is prominent throughout the nasal passages.
Meat comes on during the second third along with a smoky presence as well. Tobacco flavors are also here. Flavors from the previous third are still there but not as much as before.
The last third is a diminished continuation of the last third. I fear that this cigar is just too thick and it has diluted the flavors. It is also a little harsh in the final bits.
Overall, this is a pretty good cigar but not as good as its thinner brethren. It has a good draw and burn and is in the medium-full bodied range. By all means, smoke some Casa Magna Colorados but pick something thinner.
89 points
Joya de Nicaragua Fuerte Serie B Cigar Review
Here I sit writing this impassioned plea for legalizing cigar lounges in the great frozen north that I call Washington and I realize that I am not smoking a cigar. I don’t know about your moral convictions but from my point of view that is a sin! So that is why I am about to light up this surprisingly good Joya de Nicaragua Fuerte Serie B.
Why surprisingly good when everything else from JDN can be consider good? Simple, it’s dirt cheap. Actually, it’s cheaper than dirt (seriously). For a mazo of 20 expect to pay around $50. That’s significantly cheaper than the Diesels that I really do like.
So, what about this cigar? Well, it’s been resting in my humidor for around a year at this point. It is the last cigar standing from its mazo and, to tell the truth, I haven’t smoked one in the past few months (I did keep some notes though). It’s the Corona Gorda (5×46) and it looks pretty good. It’s a dark brown wrapper with a moderate degree of imperfections ranging from the small light spot right next to one of the small veins to the inconsistency of the color in the wrapper.
Cigar Stats
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 46
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Esteli, Jalapa & Condega)
Price: ~ $40/Mazo of 20
Nim Chimpsky Torch!
Right from the beginning it is as I had remembered it. An aggressive spice eagerly greats you from the first puff. Dry wood is the second flavor that I can really grasp. The first third isn’t all great though; I would have to say that the flavors are a little too simple and the cigar does tend a little towards being harsh.
But the second third is another matter. Whereas the first third was a pleasant take on spicy harshness the second third is a nuanced spiciness. Spice coupled with sweet wood and some fruity notes as well. The edge has been dulled enough so that this cigar neither assaults nor bores the senses.
The final third is basically a continuation of the second third, which is a good thing. The Joya de Nicaragua Fuerte Serie B is definitely for the cigar smoker who likes spice. It is fairly full bodied and it comes with a good draw and burn. Overall, especially for the price, I definitely like it.
89 points
La Flor Dominicana Ligero Cigar Review
First off, I would like to thank Cigars Direct for sending me this cigar to review. Very kind of you all and, as always, if this cigar is horrible I’ll tell you. If it’s good, I’ll tell you. Just because someone sent me this sample doesn’t mean they’re going to get a good score.
I’ve got to be honest here: I like La Flor Dominicana cigars. They are Dominican, which is always good, and they have a little bit of strength behind them. This cigar, the La Flor Dominicana Ligero L-250 (henceforth known as the LFD L-250) is a decent looking cigar and it is also available with an oscuro wrapper.
The wrapper is oily but it is also marred with many a speckled light spots along with one oil spill-esque light brown spot. I don’t know what you think about imperfections like that; personally I’m of a mixed mind. On the one hand I don’t care about what the cigar looks like if it still tastes good. On the other hand ugly is, well, ugly. So, the look matters to me but not all that much.
Cigar Stats
Length: 4 ¾″
Ring Gauge: 48
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Ligero
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Price: $135.00/Box of 24
Spicy and full of dark, brooding flavors. There is also this minor annoyance of a flavor that, while not nearly as bad as bleach, is at least in the same family as bleach. Overall, it starts out decently during this first third.
The second third sees some significant improvement. In addition to the spice and the cessation of bleachiness there is a very nice plum sweetness. It is a great counterbalance to the spice that can be a little overpowering if left to its own devices. But it’s still very powerful and it is only growing in hefty strength.
During the latter part of the second third a hearty chocolate and hickory flavor meld starts to come through. I am actually pretty impressed with the LFD L-250 so far.
The final third reverted back to the spiciness that was so evident during the first third. I cannot say it was a great ending but, overall, it was a cigar that I enjoyed. With lots of flavor, a good draw and burn there isn’t too much I can say negatively about this cigar; except for the way it looked. So pick some up at Cigars Direct.
89 points
Cain Habano Cigar Review
Perhaps you may think that it is a little curious that I would be posting a review of the Cain Habano shortly after the launch of the Cain Daytona (Is it a spring break cigar? I don’t know.). And maybe you have a point, this isn’t exactly the most topical of cigar reviews that are out there.
I have previously reviewed the Cain F and the Cain Maduro with the F receiving a score of 90 points and the Maduro receiving a score of 88 points. As of yet I do not have a review in the hopper for the Cain Daytona and, if my previous predilection towards being topical are any indication, I won’t have one up for a number of months.
All the Cains are perfectly constructed. They might have a few veins but none of them are too pronounced. This Cain Habano 660 is an oily cigar. In the past I have done reviews for the Cain Maduro and the Cain F. My favorite so far is the Cain F but, based off the Cain Habanos I have had thus far, the Cain Habanos will give the Fs a run for its money.
For all of you scientists out there who live for the nitty gritty details about things here is the ligero mixture in this cigar (info from the Cain website):
- 25% Esteli Ligero – Strongest ligero in all the land (well, out least out of these three)
- 27% Condega Ligero – Medium bodied but adds substance
- 30% Jalapa Ligero – More noticeable range of flavors
Cigar Stats
Double Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 60
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Price: around $6.40/Single | $135.00/Box of 24
March Madness Light!
It starts out with the fury of a hurricane. Unruly spice dominates the palate and it is definitely a full bodied cigar. Actually, I love this kind of a cigar since my favorite flavor is spice. But I also like what the cigar evolves into.
The spice is obviously still there; it’s still the predominate flavor. But it loses its tempest in a tea pot demeanor and takes on the resolute firmness of a Beefeater. Another flavor, oak, enters and becomes a sturdy secondary flavor.
Technically speaking, it is a good cigar. The draw is open throughout and the burn is fairly even. As I mentioned before, it is a full bodied cigar but it isn’t overpowering.
What you should expect when smoking this cigar is pretty straightforward: spice and oak in a full bodied package. In the end, I would peg this cigar a little below the Cain F but it is definitely better than the maduro version.
89 points
