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.

Oliva Serie V Torpedo

 Last weekend I wanted to pick up a torpedo, as I have not smoked many of these shaped cigars.  My choice was the Oliva Serie V.

Size: 6 x 56
Shape: Torpedo
Wrapper: Nicaragua Habano Sun Grown

Filler: Nicaragua Jalapa Valley Ligero

Binder: Nicaragua

Strength: Medium to Full

Price: $6.25 retail


This is a beautiful cigar.  It has a nice sheen to the wrapper, and has no noticeable imperfections.  The cigar takes a sharp cut, and the foot toasts evenly and quickly with little effort.  At this point, I take the first draw, and notice that it is very tight.  This appears as though it is going to be a difficult smoke.  There are no overly hard spots on the cigar, which leads me to believe that it is just very tightly rolled rather than plugged.  Even with the tight draw, the cigar produces large amounts of smoke and a tight gray ash.


The first 3rd of the smoke is a blend of developing flavors.  Coffee and leather dominate, with a creamy sweetness on the edge.  There is no pepper noticed in the smoke at all, a trait that carries through the entire stick.  These flavors build further in the second 3rd, developing some additional flavors of chocolate, and a bit of peat on the finish.  The cigar through the second 3rd is a solid medium strength, and the flavors are full.

The final 3rd goes nicely, with the flavors remaining consistent from the second 3rd.  My initial thought was that the cigar would take about and hour to smoke, but to my surprise the end did not arrive until a full 90 minutes had been completed.  The burn on the cigar is razor sharp throughout requiring no touch ups.  The cigar produces a fragrant aroma, adding nicely to the entire experience.  The cigar feels great in your hand from beginning to end, having a good heft to it.  This is a nice cigar that can be found at a reasonable price point in any B&M.