La Gloria Cubana Tainos SVF ABR 05

[jakebarnes]

These have been on my list for a while now. They may be moving up a bit in hierarchy of needs thanks to this review.

Thanks for the review!

Pete

[strayvector]

Thanks for the review, Rob. Just picked some up from Lisa last week. Can't wait to try them after a short period of rest.

[Quint]

I've been looking at these for some time. I love the Medaille D 'or No. 2. You may have just pushed me over the edge. Thanks for the review.

[CoryOllis]

Thanks for a great review of a alluring stick!

[Well Armed]

Good to see they are still staying true to the original blend and not becoming stronger like many newer productions. These really should come in a nice varnished box like Sir Winstons. I think then they'd get the respect they deserve. They are a great change of pace and if you are in the right mood they can sweep you up and command your attention as you try to isolate the intricate flavors. Sweet milk baby bring it on! I will post a review of the '07 version when I get them.

[Professor Twain]

I am nearly finished with a box of 10 of 2001s. I found them very mild and lacking in flavor. I will revisit the few that I have left, hope that I can find the great flavors that you noted.

[El Presidente]

La Gloria Cubana Tainos SVF ABR 05

This has always been a personal favourite. Of all Churchill's, this one consistently delivers to me the most complexity.

This example was gorgeous. Slight wrapper tear near the mid section but nothing to overly worry about. Oily wrapper, silky to the touch. Aroma at cold is all delicate sweet spices. Perfect weight in the hand, consistent density throughout.

Clipped the cap. Draw was perfect. Slight floral/perfumed note to this cigar. Cloves on the palate.

Fired the foot and gave it a few minutes to settle down before I took my first real draw. Soft white smoke mirrored its medium body and velvet like mouthfeel. Initial impressions are a slight milky sweetness revolving around a core of tobacco and nuts. Almond/walnuts.

The Tainos is meandering, taking its time. This is a cigar which has no element of impatience, no dark side. It burns cooly and cleanly taking off one veil at a time.

The bouquet is all tobacco blended with cloves. I find elements of cloves in the flavour but it is still predominantly nuts, toasted tobacco but a hint of sweetness akin to honeycomb. The body drifts between strict medium and a little lighter.

Thoroughly enjoying this cigar. It is a reminder of of the sensual possibilities when a blend introduces the perfect mix with equal part deftness and quality leaf. Whoever blends the Taino is truely a master because there is so little variability. This is a low production cigar and likely from a single factory. It shows.

The cigar stays alight with up to 3 minutes between draws. It draws freely when asked but smoullders in the interim. The perfect draw. Flavour has not developed further. Still nuts, cloves a little sweetness and an element of weak milk coffee. Minimal white spice through the nose...but it is there.

First elements of black pepper and softwood toward the end confirming that this cigar has a few more years to develop. I don't think it will take long. I have found the Tainos is "ripe" to smoke from the 3-5 year mark. Just a great change of pace cigar. A large format which teases, entertains and in a manner which appears effortless.

90/100 5/6 smokerings.