La Gloria Cubana Serie N

I have heard a bit of buzz that this new addition to the La Gloria Cubana family existed, but I have not been able to find any around.  My luck was with me last weekend, and I was able to pick one up.

Size: 5.5 x 54
Shape: Robusto
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Strength: Medium to Full

Price: $6.25 retail

The first highlight of this cigar is the construction.  A nearly black wrapper with a good amount of veins and no imperfections is tapped in the center of the stick with an "N", which is cut from a natural leaf and stuck on the cigar.  When I first started seeing pictures of  this stick around, I was concerned that the stick may be dyed to the deep blackness, but that appears not to be the case.

A clean cut of the cap, and a toasting of the foot get the cigar off to a good start.  The aroma is earthy and pleasant, inviting you to sit and start to draw.  The first draw is easy and stays smooth through to the end.  The first 3rd displays flavors of leather and wood, with a creamy molasses streaming through.  The flavors begin to develop more as the second 3rd is transitioned.  Notes of dark roast coffee appear, and are complimented by touches of mocha and a floral sweetness on the  finish.  As the second 3rd gives way to the final 3rd, these flavors erupt into an orchestrated symphony of enjoyment.  The strength of the cigar builds a bit more at this point adding to the full complexity of the cigar. 

The Serie N ends wonderfully leaving me wishing I had purchased a few more sticks.  The cigar did not require any relights, however I did need to touch it up a few times to bring the burn back in line.  This requirement was a small price to pay for such a wonderful smoke.

CAO Gol!

Size: 5 x 56
Shape: Robusto
Wrapper: Brazilian Maduro
Filler:  Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Strength: Full
Price: $6.80 online

This week I purchased some nice cigars produced by CAO.  The first stick in the of the group that I enjoyed is the Brazilian Gol!.

The stick has a wonderful sheen emanating from the dark maduro wrapper.  There are a few veins on the cigar adding to the it's beauty, and after cutting the cap the quality of the construction remains true.  The prelight draw is silky smooth, and delivers flavors of wood, leather, and nut.   The foot toasts quickly and evenly, and the first draw delivers a pleasant smoke laced with peppery spice.  The spice remains one of the dominant flavors for the first few draws, lending some strength to the mild flavors at the start.  As the first 3rd nears completion, the spice fades to the background and a more powerful smoke quickly develops moving it well into the full flavor realm.  I come quickly to the realization that this is one of the strongest cigars I have ever smoked.

Moving through the second 3rd the complexity of the flavors begin to build.  Heavy wood and leather flavors are accented by a mild mocha note and the beginning of some coffee on the outer edge.  These strong flavors and deep complexity develop further during the final 3rd, but with a substantial increase in the coffee to that of a dark roast.  The spice continues its presence on the pallet, and deep toasted malt builds in to the blend.  As the end of the cigar nears I become fully aware of the definition of a full strength maduro cigar.

Being that I am still fairly new to cigars, this one tested my will to the end.  It is a fabulous smoke on occasion if you frequent cigars, but it may not be a good choice for lighter smokers.  CAO makes some great cigars, and this full flavor maduro hits the quality standards dead center.