Cigar:            La Gloria Cubana Wavell Maduro

Size:             50 x 5.00"

Country:          DR

Wrapper:          ECSU, M

Binder:           DR

Filler:           DR/Nic

Flavor Strength:  Medium-Full

NicotineStrength: Mild

Date Received:    2006-01-10

Suspected Age:    2 years-ish

Vendor/Price:     Gift, Bill Berris, ASC - Thanks, Bill!

Hype:      

Beverage(s):      Water, Deschutes Twilight Ale

Smoke time:       1:20

Date:             2007-07-30

Posted to ASC:    2007-07-30

Overall score:    4.0 / 5.0

Sock color:       None

Hat:              Ocean Shores

Overall:    A great maduro.  Basically, bitter-sweet cocoa with an interesting dried orange peel minor note.  Consistent flavor throughout slowly increasing in intensity over the smoke.  Reminescent of the Glorias Extra, but drier.  A fine smoke, but I prefer the natural version.

Ambiance:   I have been revisiting old NC favorites in preparation for a pre-federal tax hike buy.  This afternoon The Little Woman returned from the midwest.  Watching the Mariners versus LA.  Nice night in the GPNW.  Playing hooky tomorrow and have a long flight planned to the dry side of the state.

Appearance: Very, very dark maduro.  Mottled, almost veinless, somewhat furry wrapper with a fair bit of sparkle and a long triple cap.  Quite firm along length with a mild box press.  Seems heavy for its size. 

Cut & Prelight:   Cut well, yielding a nicely restricted draw with a sweet, dry grass draw flavor.  Some lip tingle. 

First third:      Initially bitter-sweet cocoa.  Bitterness waning.  Some citrus - dried orange peel.  Dry after.  Sweetness in the long after.  Dense, compact ash holding to over an inch.

Second third:     Flavor now consistently dry, pleasantly bitter-sweet cocoa with a note of orange peel.  Sweetening up.  Very nice after. 

Third third:      More of the same.  A bit of pepper as the nub is approached.  Nice long, dry, finish.