Vitola: Robusto- 5.5” x 50 ring gauge
- MSRP $6.29
- Samples provided by General Cigar Company
Background
In the first half of 2019, General Cigar started making some changes to the venerable La Gloria Cubana line. First was a new logo, just slightly updated, really, and still very recognizable. Then there was the Spanish Press, a totally new blend using an old-world technique.
Spanish Press is made at General’s El Credito Factory in the Dominican Republic, using Nicaraguan Jalapa, Dominican Piloto Cubano and Olor, and Brazilian Mata Fina for fillers; a Mexican San Andres binder; and a Nicaraguan Jalapa leaf for a wrapper. The name of the blend is also the technique used to shape them, as the freshly-rolled cigars are placed in wooden trays with dividers that uniformly apply pressure, then those dividers are pressed, and finally the cigars are placed in specially-sized boxes that apply a little more pressure to maintain the boxy shape.
Yuri Guillen, production manager for El Credito said, “This method eliminates air pockets to deliver an optimal draw and output of smoke, resulting in an enhanced smoking experience. We developed a very special blend to showcase our unique technique, and believe we have delivered a fantastic addition to the La Gloria Cubana portfolio.”
I have had several of these given to me by either General Cigar or one of their reps. This review sample is at least the fifth or sixth of this blend that I’ve smoked. If your local shops doesn’t carry these, Small Batch Cigar does.
Prelight
If they hadn’t pointed out to me that there was a “new logo” I wouldn’t have realized it…that’s how subtle the changes are. The band is nicely rendered, though, in red and yellow and dark pink mostly, along with silver foil for trim and some type. It’s a good look that is recognizable as an LGC cigar, but different enough from others in the line that you won’t easily mistake it for anything else.
The wrapper leaf was a milk chocolate brown color with an oily and slightly velvety touch to it. It smelled of wood and earth, but only faintly. The foot had a stronger earthiness, with notes of coffee bean in the mix.
After clipping the cap, I got a slightly tight draw; that seems to be about average for this blend and it hasn’t caused any real problems that I can remember. The cold flavor was earth and semi-sweet cocoa powder and floral notes.
Flavor
Firing up the La Gloria Cubana Spanish Press I got heavy floral flavor, backed up with cedar and earth, with just a touch of sweetness along with some pepper spice on the finish. The retrohale had cinnamon and floral notes. That same profile continued through the first third.
During the second third, cinnamon notes migrated to the palate, joining earth and an increasing sweetness, while floral notes became a distant background flavor.
The last third was more earthy with diminished sweetness. Cedar, cinnamon and pepper spice played around in the background.
Construction
I had to touch up the burn line several times and that has proven common throughout all samples of this I smoked. I think it has something to do with the way it’s pressed and it didn’t really cause a real problem. The draw was very good and the ash was solid.
Value
Very good smoking experience for practically a bargain price.
Conclusions
The La Gloria Cubana Spanish Press was an interesting piece to place into the ever-growing General Cigar catalog, but ultimately it was a little disappointing in regard to flavor. Looking at the blend makeup, I had expected more complexity than was there. The saving grace for this cigar is the bargain pricing which should help it to pick up some traction in the same space as cigars like the Tatuaje Tattoo and AJ Fernandez New World, two other cigars that have great pricing, but not enough complexity for me to consider them as anything more than “daily smokers.”
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 3.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 8.5/10
