La Gloria Cubana 8th Street Toro

Purchased: 2 boxes – Toro (6 X 52)
Price: $49/box of 10
Store: Famous Smoke
Buy Again: Yes
Box Worthy: Yes
Experience Rating: 96

I’ve only had these a few days, but when I took one out to inspect it this morning, I saw how discolored the wrapper was and I couldn’t resist lighting one up. A little more time will definitely help, but frankly, the way this cigar is smoking right now, I could give it to someone and they wouldn’t be the wiser.

When I took it out of the wrapper to inspect it, I was greated by a gorgeous sourdough smell, along with a little barnyard. Construction is solid. Unlike other LGC cigars, this didn’t feel packed to the gills, but it wasn’t at all soft. There are a few visible veins, but overall the skin is smooth with barely detectable seams.

The cigar opened up with a nice cedar and white pepper kick. I say white pepper because it wasn’t spicy at all. As I got into the first third, I got some sourdough, leather, more cedar, cream, and a bit of saltiness. Coffee was there, but very balanced with the rest of the cigar. There’s also a toastiness about it that is quite pleasing.

There’s something about an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper that I love. Even in maduro, it doesn’t look like it’ll be full of flavor, but it completely belies its appearance. As the cigar progresses into the second third, the transitions start coming hard and fast. It’s going from sweet to savory from puff to puff. I tasted salt water taffy in one pull, coffee and milk chocolate in another, then smoked meat. The cool thing is that the leather component has remained throughout the smoke. It’s in the background and it really grounds the smoke.

As I get into the second half, the cream really comes forward, along with a slight red pepper spice on the finish, adding themselves to the foundation of the smoke, letting the other flavors dance on top of them. I’m digging it! Strength has stayed at a solid medium.

As I get into the final third, the flavors intensify to about medium+ though the strength stays at a nice medium. The burn has been even throughout, requiring only a single touch-up, but I’m smoking outside so that’s forgiveable. Transitions have slowed down a bit, but smoke production has really picked up. The draw tightened up a bit as the cigar loaded up, but a quick poke with my PerfecDraw instantly opened it up again and the cigar became a smokestack!

BTW, total smoke time is SO good with these! An hour and forty-five minutes minimum!

I remember when this cigar was released. It was $21/cigar sold in boxes of 10! That I was able to get them for under $5 is incredible! I got two boxes at $49, and I’ll probably buy one or two more since these are a limited edition.