La Gloria Cubana MdO No. 4 - ETP 15

[Fugu]

Smoking a first MdO No 4 from a ETP SEP 15 box to check out how they are going. No review, but just to report, and interested in member’s views of these:

Draw, construction, burn in this specimen perfect, although the box showing quite a wide range of ring gauges, feels like 30 to 36….

Definitely young with a noticeable greenish note. No ammonia, as this one had been stored separately for a couple of days. Med-full-bodied right now, while the retrohale is not too acrid, manageable, in particular after an inch in. Classy smoke already at this young age. Most remarkable was a certain taste, a note which I couldn’t quite pinpoint, as hard as I churned my head. Something along the lines of, well, not the normal green/young taste but perhaps – Wasabi less the hot component? Smell of “new car” interior? Sawing a multiplex wood board? Absolutely no idea, it’s just not exactly it. But as weird and nasty as it might sound, not at all unpleasant. Rather giving the whole smoke a somehow refreshing note. Wouldn’t mind at all if that undertone would stay during aging.

Anyone else having tried this ETP 15 batch already and perhaps experienced similar?

Paul

[TomF]

I've got a couple of boxes of these from early 2014, almost 2 years old. Absolutely brilliant. Some of the most intensely flavorful cigars I've ever smoked. Beautiful salt/citrus twang, leather, licorice, and honey, and smooth as silk through the nose. Stellar. I'm going to savor them slowly and I can't wait to see how they develop over the next couple of years.

[Optic101]

Great cigar, haven't touched the 15 yet.

The '13 smokes beautiful IMO and has legs to go.

[squizz]

ive got some ula '14s to try soon. i smoke one rott and it was just okay.

[Fugu]

Thanks for your input, gents!

Seems no one has tried the 2015s yet.

There have been two box codes for 2015 MdO 4, the good old ULA (Partagas), which seems to have changed now to ETP from Aug 15 on. Remains to be seen whether this is a true change of fabrica or just a code change, but I'd guess the latter. Anyone in the know?

[parabola66]

I have a box of the '15s. I forget the code because it was printed on the cardboard packaging, not the cigar box itself. I got the box from a 24:24 around June-ish of last year. Rob was able to confirm the box code and year for me in a private email ( I had thought they forgot to stamp it, until I looked at all the packaging).

Pretty tasty, defiantly has the smoothness and citrus edge that we all so desire and defiantly has room to grow. If I smoked them all RoTT I wouldn't be upset though. Haven't smoked on since the summer so I am very curios to re-visit when my cigar weather comes back. I am currently watching it snow as we speak

[wade1979]

Fascinated by these thin beauties. Never had a chance to try one, but from all accounts they are something special/unique. I'm a bit newer to CCs and have yet to sample some of the smaller ring gauge cigars (had a lancero in 2014 that was phenomenal) . I will be following this tread closely.

[Corylax18]

I just recently ordered a box on the 24:24, maybe a week ago. They are on the way now, I don't remember the exact box code, but I'm almost certain it was 15.

Once they arrive and have a few weeks to relax/settle I will give one a try and report my thoughts.

[Fugu]

Had another one of that batch last weekend. Smoked it very slowly (inside), and I have to say 1:25 hours of pure bliss. After a week out of the box, a perfect smoke, only very faint notes of youth. Excellent burn (gone out once, when I had to briefly put it down for pouring me a rum), excellent smoke volume, very tasty with a nice crescendo. Medium to full in body. Can't get much better.

If I had to rate it, I'd give it a solid 95 (while of course being subjective, my ratings mainly reflect the amount of pleasure and satisfaction from a smoke).

[Phinz]

I have a box of ULA MAY 15, and they're fantastic! (Trying to stay away from the, to give them some time, but they are hard to resist when I go looking for a smoke to pair with a morning coffee)

[earthson]

I've never had a fresh LGC - have heard it's one of those that typically need some time before beginning to shine. Have one in the hopper, will have to try one fresh before burying and forgetting. The '13s are astounding.

[Corylax18]

The box just arrived. They look amazing, but the smell is even better!! Much sweeter and more floral mixed in with the barnyard funk. It will be nearly impossible for me to wait a month to try one! My code is ULA JUL 15, that would seem to back up the August switch to ETP. These are from 24:24 a couple weeks ago.

[Fugu]

I've never had a fresh LGC - have heard it's one of those that typically need some time before beginning to shine. Have one in the hopper, will have to try one fresh before burying and forgetting. The '13s are astounding.

Absolutely, they usually age beautifully, but they really are a treat atm fresh. Do some dry boxing or store the candidate open for a few days (if room-rH allows it) to get rid of any ammonia and smoke it slowly, but do try them!

[LutzSpearo]

Smoking my first now, ULA JUL 15. Stored in my desktop at 58% for about ten days.

It does have a note that I can't put my finger on, curious how others would describe it. Something like an earthy metallic aspect, and it's not in the background.

[Fugu]

Smoking my first now, ULA JUL 15. Stored in my desktop at 58% for about ten days.

It does have a note that I can't put my finger on, curious how others would describe it. Something like an earthy metallic aspect, and it's not in the background.

For me, a green and sometimes combined with a slightly metallic note is a sign of youth. I guess you don't mean the characteristic I described in my starting post ("Wasabi less the hot component") ?

[Afineash]

This is one Cuban I have yet to smoke in all my years of doing so.

Must find some and aged accordingly.