La Gloria Cubana Medaille D’or #2 October 2002

[greenpimp]

La Gloria Cubana Medaille D’or #2 October 2002

This dalia was the color of light chocolate, impeccably made, with small veins. Pre-light, the cigar had a cocoa and pleasant clean tobacco fragrance, with a hint of cheese. Or maybe that was me. Flavor pre-light mirrored the smell, but softer.

1st 3rd--Firmish draw, but smoke volume was good. Toasty character upon first light. Finish was long. Some nougat, fruit. Leather and cherry appear in the background. Slightly uneven burn.

2nd 3rd—Burn evens out. Earthy components increase, as well as a roasted nuts component. The complexity falls off , along with the upper-ended fruit and floral flavors, as it sits at medium bodied now. Ash a light, chunky grey.

3rd 3rd---Quite unique finish to this cigar. The early complexity never returned, but it grew spicier, and then suddenly refreshed with a few inches left, bearing a minty finish. Pleasant and somewhat striking.

All in all a good but not great smoke. I had to hunt for flavor at times, as there was no real intensity to the smoke or deeply grooved character. I do enjoy milder cigars from time to time, but those have to have character for me to appreciate them, and this one failed slightly in that department. Of course I have only smoked a few of these, so I may have been unlucky. I would score it an 88 if forced to. Smooth, well-kempt, but uninspiring.

[El Presidente]

Recently I have had some stunning 02 LGC2 and some so so examples...all out of the same box.

I must say that I am a convert to this cigar after years of seeing nothing in them. Still, of all cigars this is one which needs serious age to showcase itself. The 1998's It tried recently are magnificent. They never use to be.

Great review

[BlackFriar]

LGCs are a rewarding but an exacting mistress of a cigar. It is amazing how a bit of age and care can make a huge difference when smoking. I love em but they need serious dedication from a smoker. Not an off the cuff smoke.

Chris

[greenpimp]

I would definitely put this in the category of a so-so smoke; would love to smoke a stunner.

Dalias are likely my favorite vitola. And I smoked this slowly and patiently, just over 1.5 hours, with alternating nasal exhalations. The flavor was simply somewhat lacking.