I have the distinct opportunity to smoke one of the most sought after cigars ever. The original Miami La Glorias came about during the Cigar Boom and put Ernesto Perez-Carrillo on the map. You probably wouldn't have guys like Don Pepin Garcia, Pete Johnson or Dion Giolito without Ernesto. The La Glorias were so hard to find that folks were paying quadruple and more of MSRP.
One of my buddies from Empire Cigars gave me a 15+ year old LGC Torpedo for the birth of my son. I couldn't wait to try this cigar that I had heard so much about. I was just going to write a review for this old torpedo when I realized this was a good chance to compare the blend Then & Now. So much has changed in 15+ years, including LGC being bought by General Cigar to even Ernesto leaving La Gloria to start off on his own again. Is there any way these cigars can still be similar at all? We'll see!
La Gloria Cubana Torpedo Natural - Circa 1994
Size: 6 1/2" x 54
Vitola: Torpedo
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
You should see the cellophane from this cigar! I hope the picture below does it justice!
Well, this is one rustic looking cigar. The cap is very rough but is glistening with plume. The pre-light draw is firm but yielding, and took a flame easily.
The flavors are interesting. They remind me both of current La Glorias with their unique earthiness and also Puros Indios cigars which have a distinctive barnyard aroma.
The burn is fairly even and the tobacco burns hot leaving more white than black in the salt and pepper ash.
After the first inch or so they flavors begin to develop nicely, leaving an earthy sweetness with a real mustiness in the aroma. Very tasty! If I smelled the smoke from this cigar and was not told what it was i would really guess it was made by Rolando Reyes (Cuba Aliados and Puros Indios). The barnyard aroma has a real throwback appeal but is really only present in the aroma not so much in the taste of the cigar.
This cigar is amazing, it still has tons of flavor after 15+ years! Halfway through there is leather and earth with some hay and coffee.
As I near the end, the flavors intensify and "sweet spot" flavors like licorice and espresso start to make their way on to my tastebuds.
The cigar just gets better and better, those sweet spot flavors intensifying to a crescendo that makes me burn my fingers as I nub this cigar to the end! Thanks to Atlanta "Sleepy" Mike for the privilege to smoke this wonderful rarity!
Rating: 97 (A)
La Gloria Cubana Torpedo Circa 2012
Clearly the General Cigar's rollers (El Credito factory) have had a lot of practice with torpedoes as this puppy has a beautiful pointed cap. The color is identical to its grandfather but more even and not as splotchy.
The cigar takes a cut from my PG cutter with no problem and the pre-light draw is waaaay easier.
So far the only thing the two cigars have in common is the shape. There is a bit of earthiness, but the cigar is a lot spicier and has a rich leather character.
The burn is not entirely even but satisfactory enough. The finish has a bit of licorice and leather. The cigar is not that complex and the flavors listed above are fairly consistent throughout the length of the entire cigar.
Rating: 86 (B)
This post was initially published at Zen & The Art of the Cigar, a cigar reviews blog. Click here for more articles by Zen and more information.
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