La Gloria Cubana Medaille d\'Or No 2

[KB24]

Nice review! I would love to see a review like that for the #1 preferably from 2002. I just received a box and they are resting peacefully for a few months but I it would be nice to get your take on them.

[shrink]

This review begs the question, "What would Ken say?"

[El Presidente]

» This review begs the question, "What would Ken say?"

Yes..that would be one way to devalue the review ;-)

[Diselfitter]

Well I never had one that bad. My experience has been on the one box I bought a while ago with a date of 98.

The cigars were almost all too tight. but the ones I had that had a decient draw.

I found the cigar to be Mild-medium.

Flavors only slight spice to it, with a dominate of Grassy notes some balsa, woody notes.

The cigar was not anything spectactular in flavors, had it been more complex I would have considered it as a Mild cigar for say early morning. Or empty stomach smoking.

Deez

[cigardawg]

I have smoked several from a box with the almost same '02 box code. All have been wonderful. They have had an herbal/citrus/honeyed profile that has been just excellent. No bitterness, no astringency, no medicinal flavors.

Must just be a taste bud thing.:-P

[Colt45]

Thanks, as always, for your candid review. I assume this was your

aforementioned "worst cigar of 2006"?

[bassman]

That's why they make different brands! I like the LGC#2 a lot & have had them from 98 & 02. Nothing short of perfect burn every time (so far!)

[habanohal]

Its just has to be you Rob. They are one of my fAvorites, But then I have told you this before

[El Presidente]

» Its just has to be you Rob. They are one of my fAvorites, But then I

» have told you this before

I think that there are certain cigars that just aggravate a certain palate...The LGC MO2 is mine. And yes...it was my worst cigar of 2006.

I haven't given up....I will continue to try ;-)

[El Presidente]

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No 2

OSU March 02

170mm 6 3/4 inches 43 Ring Gauge.

Dalias

There is always one cigar that has challenged you eternally. For me it has always been the LGC Medaille d'Or No 2. I have tried them from 1994 to current. I have also tried to love them but I have never gotten any love in return. This has always irked me as the long panetela Medaille d'Or no 1 always has a place in my heart and humidor. However the No 2 has always proven to be my nemesis.

Friday afternoon on the deck, with good friends and a nice bottle of Shiraz...I thought I would try again.

Constructtion was very good. Not overly enamored with the grainy wrapper, but I could not complain about the lack of hard or soft spots. Smell at cold was long dry grass and a touch of citrus spice. The cigar was properly bunched leading to anticipation of a good draw.

Cuban clipped the cap to reveal a spot on draw. Slight grassy note through the cold test draw.

Gently torched the foot, allowed it a few minutes of respite and delved into a series of draws over the taste buds and through the nose. Little spice through the nose. The cigar was light to medium body in nature.

So far...so unenjoyable. Dominant flavour was wet grass and an awfull astringency. Bitter, violent attack on the buds which left almost an iodine note. This has also been my experience in the past and although my first reaction was to turf the cigar and reach for something I really liked....I persisted in the name of Research and Development.

The burn and draw were fine. I slowed down my draws in order to achieve the slowest burn possible in order to smooth out the cigar. I wanted to give it every opportunity to shine and I wanted more than anything else to grasp onto some slender hope that I would discover the essence of this cigar. I failed miserably. Getting close to the halfway mark I was still being assaulted by bitterness, grassiness. There were some hints of cream but they were so overpowered with the overall iodine flavour effect that no other flavour had a chance of shining through.

I couldn't go any longer. The cigar was gastronomically repulsive. It assaulted every tastebud in my arsenal. I surrendered.

The La Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or is my nemesis. I have never enjoyed one over the past 12 years. I know it has its fans out there and maybe..just maybe if laid down for another 10 years some remarkable development may take root. I wouldn't take the risk.

If we have some fans of this cigar out there I would love to get your perspective. It may be that my tastebuds are not wired to the flavour profile offered.

78/100 2/6 Smolerings.

[BonVivant]

This is a truly desirable cigar, these days, since about four years had passed and nowhere to be found...

Did you change your mind or year maybe? 2008 maybe?

Thank you!

[shrink]

Just a few days ago, I enjoyed an example from JUL07. Still a bit young, but quite enjoyable and filled with promise. The underlying profile was similar to a Partagas 898V, with a spicy, woody core, but not as strong. There were lots of fruity flavors, some pepper, and a nice fructose finish. I really enjoy the '02s, but this one had a lot more going on. Complexity personified.

[Alberto_Magnus]

I really like this Dalia. It has many sweet notes reminiscent in many ways of the bigger brother, the Tainos.

It is smooth and light to medium-bodied but very enjoyable on a sunny morning. It's strange to see how some cigars become for some reason our personal nemesis.

Mine is the D4, it has cohorts of worshippers but I never had one that was worth of notice, actually not once I didn't dump after 1 or 2/3...and I *never* dump cigars.

Mysteries of the Isla Grande.

[terrantheman]

I've been gifted a couple of these from 02 and have found each one to be delightful! In fact every time I have smoked on I have wanted to acquire a box but I always miss out on someone selling them, damn! I don't smoke a lot of the LGC line but the MdO #2 has always been good to me especially that year, love the size also.

[Mr. Japan]

This is one of my favourite late morning espresso cigar. A great smoke. and of course a great review.