La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale Club

[Mad Dawg]

My latest order from JR included a surprise: a freebie! It was a sample of the latest offering from La Gloria Cubana: an Artesanos Retro Especiale Club. Called a Corona Grande, this vitola measures 5.75x47. Comparing it to the other sizes in the line, this was what I would have chosen.

I fired it up this morning. I didn't set out to do a formal review, so I didn't take notes, but I'll set this down while the impressions are fresh in my mind.

Beautifully constructed parejo with a slightly veiny colorado wrapper lightly sheened with oil. Firm and heavy in the hand, with no lumps or soft spots. Triple cap, clipped conservatively, perfect pre-light draw.

The first few draws were a little light in body, but once fully lit the cigar settled into a solid medium bodied smoke that produced dense clouds of smoke with slow, gentle draws. More complex than most La Glorias I've had in the past, with woody/earthy flavors and nuances of spice that came and went. Burn was perfect throughout,, requiring no touch-ups or re-lights.

The result was a solid hour-plus of enjoyment, accompanied by iced, fresh-roasted Brazil Bob O Link coffee and the morning paper. Very nice way to start the day.

Ernesto Perez Carillo and the folks at La Gloria have a true winner on their hands with this one. Gonna have to find room for a box...

Bottom line: Big name, great cigar.