La Gloria Cubana Medaille d’Or No. 4 OSU SEP02

[greenpimp]

La Gloria Cubana Medaille d’Or No. 4 OSU SEP02

I frankly have not had the best luck with this marca in my few attempts. I think the last time was 2003, where I had my last forgettable Medaille D’or #2. But this size intrigued me and I received a box as a gift so who am I to argue.

Pretty little varnished box, nice looking size. Slender and attractive in hand.

Firm draw, medium Colorado. Smells lightly of leather and aged tobacco.

Prelight draw smacked of citrus, intensely and specifically so. Rechecked three times. Pucker of lemon. Amazing, one I have never encountered before.

Starts out mild, pleasurable if not exciting. Some light citrus, light leather, a bit of a nutty characteristic along with what I can only describe as a cheese rind character. Begins warming up, approaches medium bodied with a lush flavor of buttered toast. Quite good now. Buttery, nutty, smooth. Smell of smoke is powdery, woodsy.

A little earth shows up a third of the way through, still smooth with butter and citrus. Flakey ash falls of every inch or so. Becomes…cohesive about halfway. Just under medium but with intensity and class, and the flavors blend together to form a new cohesive character all its own. Loving it right now. Trying not to rush it.

A bit of vanilla at the front of the palate. And a twang of what I swear is bubble gum for a second. Smoke volume is excellent for its ring guage, mouthfeel is lush, soft. Very little if any pepper, but gobs of flavor. Almost a soft candy attack which slowly morphs into a finish of dark brined olives. Fascinating.

Butter toast-citrus-olives at the last. Still velvety but stronger, with hints of nuts, roasted cereal and coffee along with more earth on the finish which now reprises the citrus on the front of the tongue at the end. Long, long finish.

Quite an excellent cigar really. I had just under an hour to smoke this and frankly it deserved more. Had to leave the last 2 inches or so, and it was ending wonderfully. The next one I will give an hour plus to better appreciate the finale.

I would score it a solid 91. Fascinating, unique profile that was refreshing yet balanced. I think I’ll have another one tomorrow.

[Bolismoker]

Great review. I've always loved this line. I feel this is an under appreciated marca.

[El Presidente]

Great review mate.

Smithy and I recently were short of time for a larger cigar and reverted to the Medaille D'Or No 4. Again it is a cigar which I have had some problems appreciating in the past but our experience with these mirrored yours. Sensational.

[shrink]

A wonderful, compelling review, Matt. You have a genuine ability to discriminate a broad range of flavor elements. And this God-given capacity is not wasted on the Medaille d'Or. With age, it is one of the most complex cigars of all. I have a number of OSU (Partagas) 2002 boxes, including the No's 1, 2, and 4. IMO, they are still on their "learning curve", and will continue to reveal more subtleties with time. 1997 and '98 Md'O's are some of the most compelling, and complex smokes I've had. The citrus and other elements will slowly resolve into exquisite fruity and floral qualities. BTW, I believe that the "cheese rind" flavor that you noted is what is often referred to as "rancio".

[ilgatto]

I'm glad you posted this. I have been thinking about getting some of these. Are these considered short smokes?

[aavkk]

Interesting review on these, thanks for your thoughts Matt! I actually find the #4's to be the strongest of the line, how do you compare these to the 1's and 2's in terms of body?

[greenpimp]

Thanks guys.

Ilgatto, at nearly 6 inches I still thought it would be a quicker smoke, but it burned slowly and I didn't want to rush it because of the thinner ring guage, so a good hour for me, I would say. Of course it takes a good hour for me to smoke a robusto.

Aavkk, I agree. I have only had the no.2s in the past, and found the no.4 to have a more intensified profile than the others. I plan on trying some #1s soon as well. I had frankly written the line off for my tastes.

[aavkk]

o man, the #1's are my favorite. I am in love with the size. We smoke at about the same pace, the #4's are about an hour, but the #1's are just north of an hour and a 1/2 of sweet, sweet floral goodness.

[ilgatto]

Thanks guys.

Ilgatto, at nearly 6 inches I still thought it would be a quicker smoke, but it burned slowly and I didn't want to rush it because of the thinner ring guage, so a good hour for me, I would say. Of course it takes a good hour for me to smoke a robusto.

Aavkk, I agree. I have only had the no.2s in the past, and found the no.4 to have a more intensified profile than the others. I plan on trying some #1s soon as well. I had frankly written the line off for my tastes.

Thanks for the info. I will get these and some short smokes as well. I am already stocking up for this coming Winter.

[Wiley]

Thanks for the review! I love these cigars.

[jdbrown]

The last OSU MAY 02 example I tried a few weeks ago was like smoking a snickers candy bar!

[Mr. Japan]

Smoked one this morning , a nicemorning cigar after a good espresso.