Cigar Info
The La Gloria Cubana Estelí was the new release for the LGC brand at last years (2018) IPCPR trade show. Previously, La Gloria Cubana cigars used Nicaragua tobacco in the blends, but STG Estelí actually rolled these cigars in Estelí, Nicaragua. STG Estelí rolls many cigars for General Cigar but this marks the first for the LGC brand.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
La Gloria Cubana Estelí comes in three sizes, all in 25 count boxes: Robusto (4 1/2 x 52) — $4.99, Toro (5 1/2 x 54) — $5.99, and Gigante (6 1/4 x 60) — $6.99. The blend for La Gloria Cubana Estelí uses a wrapper from Jalapa, and binders and fillers from two areas of Honduras.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto
Length: 4 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Factory: STG Esteli
Blender: Unknown
Number of reviewers: 4 – Diana (ArmyRN) John I. (John I.) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) David F. (dfafjf)
Price: $4.99
Age: 12 Months
Release Date: August 2018
Contributed by: General Cigar
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“Nice looking cigar with medium brown double cap that is a little rugged but substantial. The filler appears very dense with speckles of dark and golden brown throughout. The cigar has a nice solid look and feel to it.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Aroma: 93
“The primary aroma at the wrapper is a sweet and pungent barnyard… Heavy sweet compost with a hint of green tea at the foot.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
First Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The cigar begins with a very smooth and enjoyable medium body. Spice slightly increased throughout the first 1/3. The dominate flavor to start was vegetable notes with a grassy/ hay background. Very typical in most cigars but a bit of peanut notes mixed in. Simple but complex enough to get my interest. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
“There was an immediate flavor burst that was fantastic. A mix of leather and nuts and the cigar was meaty out of the gate. A nice oak woodiness was also noted. However, the cigar died down quickly at about one inch in and the woodiness came to the front. The original flavors were still there on the retro and there was a slight saltiness to the finish.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Second Third
Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The second portion saw a bit of an increase in strength and an increase in the coffee flavors of this cigar. The smoke output is really impressive and is packed with good flavors… Its starting to hit my wheelhouse in full stride.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“Sweetness continues with some notes of baking spices becoming apparent around the mid point. Draw is feeling somewhat compromised, and the burn is growing ragged. This eventually self corrected. Burn has been quick and fairly hot during the middle portion. ” –John I. (John I.)
Final Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“The flavors have come surging back now and the mix of nuts, leather and wood are more notable. There is a certain flavor of baking spice and wood that I find very pleasant also. This is the sweet spot of the cigar for me and I'm even happier when I get a hint of coffee in the mix.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“Into the final portion this cigar has picked up a hint of bitterness but not really an unpleasant note… Its like a fine cup of French roast coffee that I like so much. Through the nose the smoke is stronger and limits my ability to retrohale slightly. ” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“Almost perfect for me…. Just a hint of resistance but otherwise wide open and providing me with tons of rich and thick smoke.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Burn: 94
“Really an excellent burn on this cigar from light to finish. I didn't need to pay any special attention to this one at all which is a real pleasure.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Construction: 94
“I had no issues with the construction of the cigar and it proved my first impressions of being a solid little cigar as right. No lifts or cracks in the wrapper and the cap held nicely throughout the entire smoke.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 93
“I wanted to give this a very good rating but wound up doing a good instead. The drop-off in flavors in the second third was disappointing for me. If the flavors in the first third and last third had remained as prominent in the second third it would've been a home run cigar for me. However, I did enjoy the mix of flavors and would probably try this cigar again for sure.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“Nice smoke. Overall a pretty good load of sweetness, but there were some spices notes, some pepper on display and some nice notes reminiscent of baked goods here as well. Some minor construction flaws, but not really enough of a problem to avoid this. I'd definitely grab a few more. ” –John I. (John I.)
“This was really a nice cigar. It looked special at the beginning and quickly proved to be special once the flame was applied. The initial mild flavors attracted my interest and the gradual increase in intensity was perfect to end my day. I could easily see myself smoking this on a regular basis…” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“I enjoyed this cigar but there was nothing that WOWed me. Still an excellent cigar and would be good to have on hand if at a fair price point. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 55
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Reviewer
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Apr
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Aro
|
1/3
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2/3
|
3/3
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Draw
|
Burn
|
Const
|
Ovr
All |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diana | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 |
| John I. | 92 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 90 |
| Jason H. | 92 | 95 | 92 | 92 | 95 | 95 | 97 | 97 | 97 |
| David F. | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 95 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.