La Gloria Cubana RE/LCDH/Regular/Discontinued production insights and evaluations...


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Furthering the discussion of RE/LE comparisons to value/enjoyment compared to regular/discontinued in a recent thread, we would like some input from the members as to which they feel were/are a lead runner for the specific marcas and those that were better off staying at the blocks...

No right answers just opinion. We would ask that opinion posts be limited to those that have smoked at least 3 of the offending cigars to have insight beyond a single smoke or evaluation just upon size. We’ve not made this a poll on purpose; want descriptions and opinions on where to put money on this marca at 2021.

In a sense, would like to throw down on what the members who’ve tried these feel you should target today. Feel free to quote the post and expound on your experience with the specific cigar.
 

Current reg (hen’s teeth) production:

Medaille d’Or No.4

***not really in the discussion for current production until actual supply teases out...
 

LCDH (year of release):

Inmensos (2010)

25th Aniversario Pirámides (2017)

25th Aniversario Robustos Extra (2017)


RE:

Gloriosos Reino Unido (2008)

Deliciosos Cuba (2009)

Triunfos Suiza (2010)

Belux No. 1 (2011)

Paraiso Caribe (2015)

Revolution Asia Pacifico (2015)

Glorias 5ta Avenida (2016)

Platinum Países Bajos (2017)

Serie D No. 5 España (2018)

Orgullosos Suiza (2018)

Invictos Italia (2019)

Unifree Turquía (2019)

Británicas Extra Gran Bretaña (2020)

 

Discontinued (year discontinued):

Medaille d’Or No.2 (2014)

Tainos (2012)

Medaille d’Or No.1 (2010)

Medaille d’Or No.3 (2010)

Sabrosos (2002)

(not going back beyond this point but feel free to include any info you wish on experiences with Cetros and beyond...)

 

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  • La_Tigre changed the title to La Gloria Cubana RE/LCDH/Regular/Discontinued production insights and evaluations...

As someone with limited RE/LE experience, I’m looking forward to tracking this thread.  Seems like a minefield and I’ve avoided spending the coin in the past. Maybe this’ll help me decide I need to splurge on some BR purchases...

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The only cigar on the list that's readily accessible today (and that I have enough experience with) is the D5 which is slowly coming into its own right now. It's going to need at least another 2 years to flesh out. Seeing as how I'm still seeing late 19 codes on these, these have a ways to go. I smoked a couple with only a year on them and they were 89/90 points. Last one I had, same box, last month was up to 92-93. They could definitely get up to 95-96 with a couple more years but fresh ones are a total waste.

I can tell you that at $12 I'd be putting my coin towards one of the Trinis or for a buck more, Cohiba MS. At least those are ready to go ROTT. 

I've also smoked a couple of the UK Britanicas. Much more approachable than the D5 but might not have the potential. I liked them. But at $30 each, no sir. 

I know the Inmensos were pretty popular. I continue to find it odd why that's the only LCDH post-09 to be cut. I hate the vitola but I'd like to see a LGC Genios or Dobles. 

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Medaille d’Or No.4

A wonderfully complex cigar that can offer you savoury flavours, fruity flavours or a combination of both. Of the last batch that we've seen (circa early 2018) I feel they are only now starting to come into their zone with three years down, they can easily be aged more.

LCDH:

Inmensos

Why, of why (is this one singled out for being unavailable)? I mean all the other LCDH releases are seemingly around! This is a no-brainer. You see, you get.


RE:

Revolution Asia Pacifico 2015

On the whole Asia-Pacifico releases are consistently good or better but I feel that this was a disappointing follow-up to the Diplomaticos Bushido the year before. I had construction issues with mine and have left the rest to settle for some time now. Prices on these currently aren't worth it as I feel there are better options out there.

Serie D No. 5 España 2018

The ones that I've had have all been flavoursome but have all suffered construction issues of some kind. Perhaps rolling 500000 sticks to order in a short time had something to do with that. So many were made that there freely available from on-line vendors still. I'd prefer to wait a little longer and get the latest batch of La Gloria Cuban Medaille d'Or No.4s!

Invictos Italia 2019

A very good cigar but they're Italian so a little help may be needed to acquire some!

Unifree Turquía 2019

Horribly inconsistent. I've had the good and the bad and for the size I'd rather look elsewhere.

Británicas Extra Gran Bretaña 2020

A brilliant cigar. The significant delay on this cigar has not diminished demand. (It's) Very difficult to source as a result!

 

Discontinued:

Medaille d’Or No.2 2014

It's a dalia so need I say more? Savour them if you have any left!

Tainos 2012

I wish I had more boxes, maybe 5 10-counts but I'd settle for two! With long-term rest (think 7 to 10 years) these produced nice cake-like flavours that made them very different to other Churchill-sized cigars. I wouldn't hesitate to get a box if I could, especially late LRE '09 codes. I don't think they were produced much after early 2011, even though 2012 is the official discontinuation date.

 

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43 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I hate the vitola but I'd like to see a LGC Genios or Dobles. 

I will never cease to be amazed by the 52 RG is fine but 54 RG is an abomination sentiment 😂

Meanwhile most posts I see of NCs on Facebook are 60 RG.

I prefer smaller ring gauges for innumerable reasons but I can't say that I have a hard stop at 50, 52, 54 or 56 RG. I'm sure there's a level that's just absolutely ridiculous like 80RG or 100RG. I just don't think it's between 53 and 56.

Also personally I like big RG cigars to be longer rather than shorter. I prefer the Edmundos vitola over the Robustos for example. I'd rather have a PSE2 vitola at 54 RG than a medio Siglo at 52. And so on.

The progression from Petit Coronas to Coronas gordas to Churchills to double Coronas makes sense to me.

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41 minutes ago, Bijan said:

I will never cease to be amazed by the 52 RG is fine but 54 RG is an abomination sentiment 😂

Meanwhile most posts I see of NCs on Facebook are 60 RG.

I prefer smaller ring gauges for innumerable reasons but I can't say that I have a hard stop at 50, 52, 54 or 56 RG. I'm sure there's a level that's just absolutely ridiculous like 80RG or 100RG. I just don't think it's between 53 and 56.

Also personally I like big RG cigars to be longer rather than shorter. I prefer the Edmundos vitola over the Robustos for example. I'd rather have a PSE2 vitola at 54 RG than a media Siglo at 52. And so on.

The progression from Petit Coronas to Coronas gordas to Churchills to double Coronas makes sense to me.

I hate to say it but 54 and 56 is becoming tolerable for me in shorter formats. Not that I like it, but I'm able to work with it. I can get through a Mag 54, Montescos or Topes, but I do still do struggle with Sublimes. Just too long for that RG. I would have to prep myself for a few days to deal with something like a BHK 56 or god forbid a Cohiba 50th Grandiosos. 

I just pulled out a Monte Especiales No. 2 today and wow, it seems so small...and it's supposed to be one of my favorite vitolas!

 

50 minutes ago, JohnS said:

Inmensos

Why, of why (is this one singled out for being unavailable)? I mean all the other LCDH releases are seemingly around! This is a no-brainer. You see, you get.

Yes, they cut that but thankfully we can still get the RyJ Cedros de Luxe! :rolleyes:

 

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21 minutes ago, JohnS said:

Medaille d’Or No.4

A wonderfully complex cigar that can offer you savoury flavours, fruity flavours or a combination of both. Of the last batch that we've seen (circa early 2018) I feel they are only now starting to come into their zone with three years down, they can easily be aged more.

LCDH:

Inmensos

Why, of why (is this one singled out for being unavailable)? I mean all the other LCDH releases are seemingly around! This is a no-brainer. You see, you get.


RE:

Revolution Asia Pacifico 2015

On the whole Asia-Pacifico releases are consistently good or better but I feel that this was a disappointing follow-up to the Diplomaticos Bushido the year before. I had construction issues with mine and have left the rest to settle for some time now. Prices on these currently aren't worth it as I feel there are better options out there.

Serie D No. 5 España 2018

The ones that I've had have all been flavoursome but have all suffered construction issues of some kind. Perhaps rolling 500000 sticks to order in a short time had something to do with that. So many were made that there freely available from on-line vendors still. I'd prefer to wait a little longer and get the latest batch of La Gloria Cuban Medaille d'Or No.4s!

Invictos Italia 2019

A very good cigar but they're Italian so a little help may be needed to acquire some!

Unifree Turquía 2019

Horribly inconsistent. I've had the good and the bad and for the size I'd rather look elsewhere.

Británicas Extra Gran Bretaña 2020

A brilliant cigar. The significant delay on this cigar has not diminished demand. (It's) Very difficult to source as a result!

 

Discontinued:

Medaille d’Or No.2 2014

It's a dalia so need I say more? Savour them if you have any left!

Tainos 2012

I wish I had more boxes, maybe 5 10-counts but I'd settle for two! With long-term rest (think 7 to 10 years) these produced nice cake-like flavours that made them very different to other Churchill-sized cigars. I wouldn't hesitate to get a box if I could, especially late LRE '09 codes. I don't think they were produced much after early 2011, even though 2012 is the official discontinuation date.

 

Brilliant and perfect format! Thank you @JohnS

14 minutes ago, Bijan said:

I will never cease to be amazed by the 52 RG is fine but 54 RG is an abomination sentiment 😂

Meanwhile most posts I see of NCs on Facebook are 60 RG.


Let’s stay on topic folks. This is a discussion of specific vitolas in the LGC range meant for utility by members such as @GolfT3 and oursevleves for reference of the veteran member’s experience with these specific vitolas.

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3 minutes ago, La_Tigre said:

Let’s stay on topic folks. This is a discussion of specific vitolas in the LGC range meant for utility by members such as @GolfT3 and oursevleves for reference of the veteran member’s experience with these specific vitolas.

Didn't mean to go too far off topic and sorry if I did do so.

My comment was related to the vitola of the lgc inmensos and how I think 54 RG on a long cigar is more acceptable than on a short cigar.

I have one in my possession might give it a smoke and make a more direct contribution.

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7 hours ago, La_Tigre said:

Only provided opinions on those I've 3+ for per the OP. One exception.

Current reg (hen’s teeth) production:

Medaille d’Or No.4 - leader

***not really in the discussion for current production until actual supply teases out...
 

LCDH:

Inmensos - leader

25th Aniversario Pirámides 2017 - only had one though it was an exceptional smoke

25th Aniversario Robustos Extra 2017


RE:

Gloriosos Reino Unido 2008 

Deliciosos Cuba 2009 - leader!

Triunfos Suiza 2010

Belux No. 1 2011

Paraiso Caribe 2015 - leader, working on my second box

Revolution Asia Pacifico 2015

Glorias 5ta Avenida 2016 - leader, love these

Platinum Países Bajos 2017

Serie D No. 5 España 2018

Orgullosos Suiza 2018 - leader, love these too

Invictos Italia 2019 - leader, still easy to find in Italy if you have a source

Unifree Turquía 2019

Británicas Extra Gran Bretaña 2020 - leader

 

Discontinued:

Medaille d’Or No.2 2014 - leader

Tainos 2012 - can't say for this year though past ones quite enjoyable

Medaille d’Or No.1 2010 - same as above

Medaille d’Or No.3 2010 - same as above

Sabrosos 2002

So, for the most part I've rarely had an LGC that failed to impress on some level.

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1 hour ago, Markspring1978 said:

Again...one man’s opinion. But...most of the LGC REs are a betrayal of the marca.

LGC never had a robusto, but we have them in spades with the REs. I have not found any similarities in the REs that are true to the floral and fruity LGC profile. It would be awesome if it was, but it isn’t.

The MdOs are legendary. Tainos are legendary. I have yet to experience anything close to legendary with a LGC RE. The Orgullosos are good, mostly because I love the idea of a 109 format, but again, not even approaching legendary. 

The Netherlands RE that is forthcoming has potential, but I’m not holding my breath. 

I'd have to say I completely disagree here, at least with LGC REs Glorias 5ta Avenida and older.

Pure LGC DNA, and possible to find. It's worth noting the LGC blend takes years to come around, so even speculating on things like Orgullosos this early is largely short-sighted.

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3 hours ago, Markspring1978 said:

Again...one man’s opinion. But...most of the LGC REs are a betrayal of the marca.

LGC never had a robusto, but we have them in spades with the REs. I have not found any similarities in the REs that are true to the floral and fruity LGC profile. It would be awesome if it was, but it isn’t.

The MdOs are legendary. Tainos are legendary. I have yet to experience anything close to legendary with a LGC RE. The Orgullosos are good, mostly because I love the idea of a 109 format, but again, not even approaching legendary. 

The Netherlands RE that is forthcoming has potential, but I’m not holding my breath. 

Agree too an extent though all tobaccos and blends have changed over the years for all Habanos. So would be quite difficult to capture the same profile. Md0 4 post-century are not nearly similar to the last century.

The RE program is designed to bring out old brands with new vitolas. All the "value" brands and many of the "other" brands have been decimated, to the point the thinking is they are only keeping one of each around to avoid future trademark issues.

Makes these ripe for the RE program. That and the resurrection of discontinued brands in a couple of cases illustrate that while they probably can not be blended with the same tobaccos of the time, my finding is more often than not, they are an interesting addition to the catalogue.

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I'm a huge LGC fan and one of my favorite cigars is the MdO No.2. I could smoke one per week if only I had sufficient stock. I like the 1, 3 and 4 quite a lot as well even if the no.3 is a bit like playing Russian roulette since there's a big chance that it might be rolled too tight.

The Inmensos is a very good cigar as well, as @JohnS wrote: jump on them if you see them.

As far as the regionals go I have to say that most of the ones that I smoked were quite the let-down. I haven't tried the ones that were released up to 2010. The Belux No.1 was nice but nothing to write home about. The only one that really stands out to me is the Glorias, it's getting better and better and I feel that this one will stand out as one of the top REs of the second half of the decade in a few years.

I had high hopes for the Orgullosos because it's a 109 and they are coming slowly around. The last one that I smoked was nice but had some construction issues. Around half of the previous ones smoked also had construction issues. I'm crossing my fingers that they will trun into something great in a few years.

Now for the Invictos and the D No.5. Both cigars are a joke to me and I'm still kicking myself for buying these. I offloaded most of my stock already but roughly have 1.5 boxes left of each. Will give the D No.5 another try soon as I smoked my last one a year or so ago. The Invictos is a tasteless wind tunnel to me and I ditched the one I smoked on Friday shortly after the second third started. I had my first D No.5 in San Diego in the summer of 2018. I met a friend from LA there and we spent the day smoking cigars. He gifted me the stick and I loved it. I have smoked 4 or 5 from my boxes since and they were all pretty bad. Did I get bad boxes or did I like the one that I had in the US because I was hanging out with a good friend 6000 miles from home? Who knows.....

The upcoming BeLux has my name written over it. I'm really looking forward to that one and hope that it will turn out to be a great cigar.

My advice would be to stock up on the MdO No.2 and let them age a bit before smoking them and maybe try to hunt down a few singles of the discontinued ones and the Inmensos.

 

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18 hours ago, gojira said:

Will give the D No.5 another try soon as I smoked my last one a year or so ago

I think you'll find a significant improvement. Ones I smoked from the same box last month are much better than when I smoked them in early 20. They still have a ways to go though. LGC DNA is just starting to come out.

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3 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I think you'll find a significant improvement. Ones I smoked from the same box last month are much better than when I smoked them in early 20. They still have a ways to go though. LGC DNA is just starting to come out.

We’re waiting on them to go on sale again before buying.

 

 

Wish we had this information a month ago when some cropped up!!!:

On 4/10/2021 at 5:00 PM, JohnS said:

Inmensos

Why, of why (is this one singled out for being unavailable)? I mean all the other LCDH releases are seemingly around! This is a no-brainer. You see, you get.

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I’ve not experienced the lone regular production stick, nor any of the discontinued ones, but I have managed to secure a box each of the Platinum Paises Bajos, Orgullosos Suiza, Britanicas Extra, and most recently, Inmensos. Most of what I read about the LGC flavor profile sounds great to me, but it sure seems like it takes years for it to blossom. Honestly, I’ve not been real impressed by the 2 Platinums/2 Orgullosos/1 Britanicas I’ve sampled so far, which probably makes my recently sourcing of yet another LGC offering seem a bit absurd. I just have high hopes that the slightly off-putting “bubble gum” taste I consistently get will morph into something special with more time. I’m vowing to keep my hands off the rest of the 3 RE’s I have, my samples tell me I’m just wasting them by smoking them now.

Now the 2014 Inmensos are a different story, hopefully, and I look forward to sampling one as soon as the 30-60 day rest period is up. 

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8 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I've had two and they were quite good. Definitely better than is typical for a young LGC. Pretty pricey for its size but you could do worse on an ER. 

I have to agree, of the 3, this was the best. Surprising too since it’s the youngest.

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Medaille d’Or No.4 : Fantastic smokes.  Very smooth and sweet. I'm smoking from 2001 and 2012 boxes so I can't speak to recent releases.

Inmensos (2010) - Smoking from 2010 & 2011 boxes. Love these. I'm very surprised these didn't take off among the larger RG crowd.  Very complex, very much LGC.

Deliciosos Cuba (2009) - smoked several around the 2010.  Excellent stick from a gorgeous jar.  Had one last year.  It is even better than I remember.

Serie D No. 5 España (2018) - A lot of what I heard about these were 50/50.  Finally tried one.  Definitely worth chasing down.


Invictos Italia (2019) - Fantastic smoke.  Very complex and smooth.  I was lucky enough to be in Italy July 2019. So I went deep on these before I returned home.

Medaille d’Or No.2 (2014) - Criminal that these are gone(or are they?).  Absolutely love them.

Tainos (2012) - The few I've had did not impress.  Never chased a box as a result. Somewhat putrid.

Medaille d’Or No.1 (2010) - Only had 1. It was great. Very sad I couldn't track down others.

Medaille d’Or No.3 (2010) - Another gem. I'm smoking from a 2002 box.  Loaded with honey, hay and baking spice.

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11 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

I think you'll find a significant improvement. Ones I smoked from the same box last month are much better than when I smoked them in early 20. They still have a ways to go though. LGC DNA is just starting to come out.

Keep in mind the D5s have boxes dates ranging from 2017-19, so lots of age variance when assessing these.

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1 minute ago, Tstew75 said:

Keep in mind the D5s have boxes dates ranging from 2017-19, so lots of age variance when assessing these.

Mine are BRO DIC 17.

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14 hours ago, Tstew75 said:

Keep in mind the D5s have boxes dates ranging from 2017-19, so lots of age variance when assessing these.

That's why I'm thinking they are continually getting negative reviews. These absolutely have to have no less than 2 years on them and people keep hitting 18s and 19s. Mine are late 17s and are just starting to turn. 

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42 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

That's why I'm thinking they are continually getting negative reviews. These absolutely have to have no less than 2 years on them and people keep hitting 18s and 19s. Mine are late 17s and are just starting to turn. 

Are you (anyone) finding any consistent codes without construction issues?

 BOP, BRO, LAT, TEO, SMA, TOU, UER...and that’s ‘17.

These things seem to be in a grip of factories...

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