Wrapper : Honduran Connecticut
Binder : Mexican and Nicaraguan – double binder
Filler : Nicaraguan and Dominican ligero plus Nicaraguan and Dominican proprietary tobacco
Source : bought at local b&m

Today we are going to take a look at the La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale in the Habanero size (6×52).

This cigar is also available in three other sizes, Club (5 3/4×47), Taino (7×52) and a Cubano (6 1/2×58).

Pricing for this cigar is $5.79-$6.73 for singles and $3.88-$4.52 for the box price per stick. Very good price point.

This cigar is based off of a decoupage humidor found at the El Credito Cigar Factory. I am trying to get a picture of said humidor and will hopefully have it in the video.

Pre-Light

Taking a gander at this La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale and I notice it doesn’t have any prominent veins, the wrapper feels silky smooth and gives off a spice scent, while the foot gives off a cocoa/chocolate and spice smell.

I also made a remark in the video about the label and I hope people chime in on it in the comments below.

Snip.

Getting a sugary cocoa and spice on the cold draw.

Light.

First Third

Off and running with this La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale and the first thing to hit the palette is overwhelming wood taste. There is also a spice when passing the smoke through your sinus’.

Smoking just a few puffs into the first third and a nice sweet hay flavor is creeping into the mix.

At this point the cigar is about a low-medium on my scale with full flavor. Tons of flavor coming from this cigar.

Started to get more of a sweet cocoa taste towards the end of the first third. I say cocoa because it actually taste like the dry powdered mix to me.

I did have to touch up the cigar as it started to canoe on me. Out of the 5 I smoked, 2 have burnt perfect and 3 have canoed. Just for full disclosure.

Second Third

Heading into the second third of this La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale and the sweet hay, sweet cocoa, wood and spice is all mixing very nicely and creating a medium bodied cigar with full flavor.

About at the end of the second third and the flavors have stayed pretty consistent but the power seems to have risen to the full level for me. Here again, some of them I have smoked have stayed about a medium the whole way while others went into the full range. Maybe it is just me, the time of day, etc but I figured I should let you all know.

I am really liking the spice through the nasal cavity. It is not a super potent spice but it really adds another dimension to the cigar and melds very well with the other flavors.

Final Third

Rounding the corner into the final third of this La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale and so far I am enjoying it. I was hoping the power would stay down but even with it hitting a full body the flavors are really nice.

I have noticed from the last part of the second third into this one that the cigar has gotten a lot dryer of a taste to it. Make sure to have your favorite beverage handy and you will do fine though.

At the end the cigar got a bit harsh but I could still taste the sweetness coming through to the very end.

Wrap-Up

Would I buy it again? Yes. I think for the price point it is a really good cigar. I wish all of them would stay in the medium range but every now and again I like a fuller body and this would fit the bill nicely.

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