Blind Cigar Review: La Gloria Cubana | Natural Churchill

We received such great feedback from readers and the participants of our inaugural series of collaboration reviews that it was a no brainer that we would continue with another round. In this second round of collaboration reviews, you will see some of the participants from the first round returning, as well as some new participants. For new readers who are unfamiliar with our previous collaboration reviews, we have invited cigar reviewers from other cigar review sites, podcasts, blogs, etc. to join the Blind Man’s Puff staff in doing blind reviews using our format. This collaboration review is with Kip and Craig from Half Ashed and Jordan from Cigar Dojo.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Churchill
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Dominican Republic and Nicaragua
Factory: Undisclosed
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 5—–Ron (shuckins) Kip (Half Ashed) Craig (Half Ashed) Jordan (Cigar Dojo) Robert (NavyPiper)
Price: $5.99
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: Undisclosed
Contributed by: CigarsCity.com

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 87

“The stogie being reviewed is milk chocolate brown that measured to be 7X50. There is no sheen to the wrapper. Rather rough textured, not smooth. Wrapper has a few moderate veins, as well as some small areas of wrinkling. There are some lumps and bumps under the wrapper. Seams look good and tight, but not very well blended. Head is very mildly rounded and the cap is well centered.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Aroma: 89

“Smells old. Light spicy hay and a weathered wood aroma has my curiosity piqued.” –Ron (shuckins)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cigar has a *very* sweet cold draw, much like the cold aroma but bolder. Near perfect resistance as well. Early puffs are filled with a solid – yet tempered – spice. Smoke production is elevated, and it continues to produce voluminous amounts of smoke even while sitting in the ashtray. Flavor during this first third is predominantly leathery and sweet.” –Kip (Half Ashed)

“I enjoyed the initial flavors even without needing to get past the regular “break in” puffs. I was immediately greeted by raisin sweetness and the finish brought a moderate amount of cinnamon taste and spice.” –Craig (Half Ashed)

Second Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“A dry tasting cedar adds to the smoothness, but with the sacrifice of the earthy taste the cigar started with. There is still a bit of light spicy hay lingering in the background and getting friendly with a splash or two of coffee.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Second third had some changes in the flavors. The slight harshness of the tobacco and the walnut flavor disappeared, replaced with baking type spices, which as the third progressed, had a good amount of heat and zing on the lips, palate and through the nose. Part way in, a very mild sweetness entered the mix. This left me in a state of constantly trying to pick it out. This was a very nice third.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“A bit more pepper eases its way in, bringing a heatless, but small kick with it. The cedar struggles to retain its smoothness as the hay flavor fades. This leaves the door open for a wildly tasty finish as the coffee, leather and hay flavors jostle, bounce and blend to work their way to the finish” –Ron (shuckins)

“Charred oak on the palate and dried herbs and anise through the retro. This third also develops a fruit-like sweetness. With a darker chocolate note that had transferred from the cigar’s beginning, it comes across like chocolate-covered raisins.” –Jordan (Cigar Dojo)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 95

“I have zero complaints about the draw.” –Craig (Half Ashed)

Burn: 93

“Near perfect burn throughout, with only one or two times I would even have considered touching it up.” –Kip (Half Ashed)

Construction: 93

“Like the burn, there were no construction issues at all. The ash held on for around 1/2″ at the start, but near the end it was falling in 2″-plus intervals. Even when the cigar sat without puffing for a good while, it returned, still lit, every time.” –Jordan (Cigar Dojo)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 90

“A very enjoyable cigar to smoke, although there were only a couple of dimensions to it, they were ones that suited my palate and left me wanting more. Easily recommended to any cigar smoker.” –Ron (shuckins)

“The flavors were enjoyable, strength within reason and construction was spot-on. What more could one person ask for in a cigar? It might not have been deadnuts center of my wheelhouse in terms of the flavors, but they were quite enjoyable nonetheless. I really liked this cigar.” –Kip (Half Ashed)

“This was a very good experience though not without flaws. It was large for me (7×50) and perhaps a bit long considering all factors. I enjoyed all of the flavors encountered. I think the cigar performed above-average for construction but I just can’t say that it was a terrific cigar. The flavors were good, though not all complimentary. The journey I was taken on was fine, but not epic. I would certainly smoke this again but it reminded me of a less enjoyable version of the Cubanacan that I reviewed here at BMP late in ’14. I hate thinking less of a cigar because I can picture one similar that is superior, but I have to do it here. I would reach for something else first, but happily grab this if available as a second choice (pending price, of course!).” –Craig (Half Ashed)

“There was something about this smoke that was not that interesting to me. In the start, it was a little too perfumey for my taste, and I’ll admit, I was a little bored. The second and third portion were much more interesting though, bringing its score up for me. Perhaps this cigar would be more enjoyable in a different size format.” –Jordan (Cigar Dojo)

“Initially, I was not overly impressed with the first third, and was hoping it would not remain that way flavor-wise for the duration. I was really surprised at how the second third turned out, and the final third was really intense. If the first third would’ve been like the rest, it would’ve been a knockout, and this is one I wouldn’t mind having some more of. Really enjoyed the last two thirds!” –Robert (NavyPiper)
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Smoking Time (in minutes): 118

Edit

Reviewer	Appearance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Ron	83	90	90	90	90	100	90	90	90
Kip	92	90	92	92	90	95	95	95	92
Craig	90	80	90	85	80	100	95	93	90
Jordan	85	88	85	88	88	90	95	95	88
Robert	85	88	85	90	90	90	88	90	90

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
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Blind Cigar Review: La Gloria Cubana | Natural Churchill