La Gloria Cubana Medaille D'Or No. 4 (May 2002)

[n2advnture]

LCG History

LCG means “The Glory of Cuba" and is known for their small ring guaged smokes.

Their strength is typically medium and is one of the few brands which is only handmade.

The La Gloria Cubana brand was created in 1885 by the Sociedad Cabañas y Castro, then bought twenty years later in 1905 by José F. Rocha, who manufactured the brand from his factory at 364 Miguel Street in Havana.

Jose Rocha and Rafael Garcia, the brand got off to a good start thanks to tireless promotion by Pepin Fernandez, owner of the Romeo y Julieta brand.

After Rocha's death in 1954, the Cifuentes family bought both La Gloria Cubana and Bolivar from Rocha's former company. Production was moved to the Partagás Factory, where it's still produced today.

After the Revolution, it seems that production of La Gloria Cubana ceased for several years, until around 1965 when the brand was apparently resurrected at the Partagás Factory. It is produced in smaller quantities than other brands and maintains its popularity with connoisseurs

La Gloria Cubana Medaille D’Or No 4.

OSU (Partagas Factory) May 02

Price: Approx. $6.50

Vitola: Palmita and it is Hand Made (the only other Palmita is the RA Palmita that was discontinued in the 90s)

I think it was intended for those who find the Panetela 26 RG & Panetela Larga 28 RG too light

Gauge: 32

Length: 152 x 32 RH

Presentation: Not sure if this came from a cab but they typically come in a 8-9-8 formatted cabinet of 25 (three layers of eight on bottom, nine in the middle and eight on top)

Wrapper: Light colored wrapper and slightly rough to the touch

Not very Vieny

Smoke Time: 1 1/2 smoke

Pre-light draw: slightly tight

Pre-light flavor: sweet, almost graham cracker or honey aroma

Ash: Tight, dark graphite color with black ribbons

1st third:

very smooth

strongly aromatic smoke

sweet caramel opening

flavor is very complex subtle flavors including citrus with subtle hints of coffee bean and mocha

draw turned out to be resistant but not too tight

2nd third:

Same complex as the 1st third with tiny hints of fruity/citrus flavor profile but lots of toasted tobacco and turning slightly woody with a slight sweetness with cocoa tastes deep in the palette. (The cocoa is really picked up when pulling fresh oxygen across the palette).

Slightly salty

3rd third:

Settled into toasty tobacco & wood flavors with no citrus. There is a little spice, & more fleeting cocoa hints and undertones honey

Dry smoke which was not thick or creamy

This is a cigar to be smoked very slowly because of the thin ring gauge and on a clean palate, to enjoy the subtle flavors.

It’s mild to medium strength makes it a great breakfast smoke or after a light lunch.

Recommended drink: water, sprite, a wine a shiraz or a caipirinha (not a moijto because the mint would over power the subtle flavors)

Caipirinha: Cachaca (Brazilian Sugar Cane Brandy) 1 Lime 1 tsp. Sugar

Score: 9/10

Happy smoking my friends

~Mark

[Zaphod42]

Excellent review. The No. 4 is a great little smoke.

[Miami101]

Sorry mate, but La Gloria Cubana has not done it for me.

The review was great..maybe I have to go back and light one up again.

[El Presidente]

Another great review :-)

La Gloria's need time. They need time to develop the soft flavour nuances that they are famous for. The only one I cannot get my head around is the Medaille d'Or no 2 but I am in the minority. You hit it on the head that the LGC needs to be smoked s l o w l y. More carressed than smoked.

[Cubatabaco]

The #1 and #2 are my favorites. I have some 4 year old #2's coming into their own right now. Smoking wonderfully. But you are right, Rob, they need time.

[Gryphon]

Great review.

Thanks

[n2advnture]

» Sorry mate, but La Gloria Cubana has not done it for me.

» The review was great..maybe I have to go back and light one up again.

The LGCs have never done it for me either until I took the time to put some age into them. There is a reason why you don't see a ton of them aged for sale (as well as the PSD4s).

The key is definitely having a some age (3+ years) and smoking them slowly (for all cigars) and "sip" the thinner ring gauges rather than a long hard draw...this is probably the one piece of advice that I give more than any as it does make a huge difference.

I hope this helps

~Mark