Cigar:            La Gloria Cubana Glorias Extra Maduro

Size:             46 x 6.25"

Country:          Miami, FL USA

Wrapper:          ECSU, M

Binder:           Nic

Filler:           DR/Nic

Flavor Strength:  Medium

NicotineStength:  Mild-Medium

Date Received:    2004-05-07

Suspected Age:    2 years, boxcode 9MK (2003/Mar)

Vendor/Price:     famous-smoke.com

Beverage(s):      Water, Dead Guy Ale

Smoke time:       2:00

Date:             2005-05-18

Posted to ASC:    2005-05-19

Overall score:    4.5/5.0

Overall:    Great cigar.  Leathery cocoa and coffee with a sweet finish.  Maybe some cherry.  Very open draw with tons of smoke.  Flavor intensifies well over the smoke, but does not really change, so in that sense a simple smoke.  Worth another box purchase - oh, wait, already got one :-)

Ambience:   The 25th anniversary of the eruption of Mt. St. Helens.  I was here at the time and heard it as I laid in bed 90 miles north.  It sounded like a fully loaded 18 wheeler barrelling down the residential street.  In the ensuing months, I was lightly ashed a few times.  These cigars were from the second box of cigars I ever bought.  Looks like Sweet Sara is training another hottie for the 'A' Team.  Both J and I hope she makes it.  At one point in the 2.5 hours we spent at Daniel's good-looking women out-numbered the men 2:1.  My kind of place.  Headed to the Mariner's game where we watched them beat the Damn Yankees 7-6 in a sloppy game on both sides. 

Appearance: Not the prettiest stick.  The dark maduro wrapper was heavily veined with some sparkles.  Double cap.  A little soft with some softer spots.  Sweet cocoa/coffee aroma.

Cut & Prelight:   Cut well with a wide-open draw and some peppery draw flavor. 

First third:      Immediately nutty and peppery.  Developed a mild, sweet, dryish  finish and a mild leathery, cocoa, coffee smoke flavor.  Voluminous smoke.  Burn was a bit ragged throughout, but nothing that normal care could not corrrect.

Second third:     A much sweetened finish, with more intense cocoa and coffee and perhaps some cherry.  Flakey gray ash that does not hold well.  My stick nearly went out a couple of times, though J's did not.  I think his roll was much tighter.  At the halfway point this is a great cigar.  Cocoa on new leather with a sweet finish.

Third third:      Every puff I say, "Wow".  Big time chocolate.  J says it is a Heath bar.  Small nicotine buzz on my empty stomach.  Nub became aromatic and minty, but the loose roll yielded a hot nub and it was abandoned at about 1".

2006-03-25

Same box.  Ugly stick with a rough, dry wrapper with big veins.  A passable cigar, but rather lackluster.  Perhaps a dud, or my tastes and palate have evolved.