Newbie Review #1: La Gloria Cubana Wavell

[Dru Lee Parsec]

Newbie Review #1: La Gloria Cubana Wavell

This is the first of my “Newbie Reviews”. I haven't smoked a cigar in probably 6 years or more. So my impressions and opinions are that of a totally new cigar smoker. Even though the big Cigar Boom is over there are still a lot of new cigar smokers here on the forum. So while my palette isn't as refined as a long time smoker I hope that my experiences are helpful to other newbies who are in the same boat as me.

So here we go: The La Gloria Cubana Wavell experience.

I stopped by a tiny local cigar shop a couple days ago. And when I say tiny I mean it. The whole store was about 8 feet wide and perhaps 12 feet deep. They had a walk in humidor at one end that was pretty sparse. Jeremy, the tobacconist, said that they had a big week and sold 7 full boxes so they were pretty light on cigars when I went in on Saturday.

However, even though the shop didn't impress me much (no humidors, no lighters, no cutters, hardly any cigars) Jeremy was a really nice guy who didn't make me feel inferior in any way just because I was a newbie cigar smoker. In fact, I felt quite welcome in that little shop. We talked a bit and he suggested the La Gloria Cubana Wavell for me. The Wavell is a 5” x 48 cigar so it's a bit smaller than most that I've seen. This is probably good for a newbie because smoking a big Churchill is a LOT of smoking for someone not use to the experience. Jeremy said that I should be looking for taste profiles of chocolate and nuttiness, particularly pecans.

So I took it home and later that night I had about an hour that I could use to relax and watch the sunset. Since I had a dinner to go to later I didn't drink any scotch or bourbon with the cigar, just fresh bottled water. That actually worked out well because the cold water seems to clear my palette.

Color: The wrapper is light tan with some narrow veins showing. In some places it looked a bit like a patchwork quilt, but I had no problem with it unraveling as I smoked it.

Here's the stats:

Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Filler: Dominican and Nicaraguan
Binder:Nicaraguan
Manufactured in :Dominican Republic by the El Credito factory.

I don't have a cutter so I carefully cut the cigar with a sharp x-acto knife giving me about 1/4” draw hole. Before I lit it the cigar it had a relatively easy draw. There was some resistance but not much. I'd call it an “easy” draw.

It lit easily with a butane lighter. I toasted the foot of the cigar and after a few puffs I had a nice ring of ash going. It burned really evenly through the whole cigar with the exception of a single vein of ash that pulled away from the rest.

Taste: I guess this is what really matters. I thought that it was a mellow cigar. I could detect a hint of the chocolate flavor that Jeremy was talking about. It didn't seem harsh to me at all. It had quite a pleasant taste indeed. I don't think I could taste pecans, but as I said, my palette is not refined at all.

First 3rd: It was a nice mellow smoke. I'm glad this was my first experience coming back to cigars. It had a pleasant smell and taste and wasn't overwhelming at all.

Second 3rd : The chocolate flavor notes were still there. A bit more intense but not overwhelmingly so. I was detecting a slight bitterness on my tongue but only slightly. A sip of cool water cleared that up. There was also a very very light hint of saltiness that I detected more on my lips than on my tongue.

Third 3rd: I smoked it down to about the last inch and a half before I had to get ready for dinner. The flavors became a bit fuller but the slight bitterness I tasted before didn't get any stronger. The saltiness I thought I was tasting earlier seemed to go away. Although the smoke was getting warmer as the cigar got shorter the taste was never harsh.

Ash: The ash was a light gray and I smoked about half of the cigar before it fell off. There was that one odd vein of ash that curled away on it's own.

Overall impression: I had an enjoyable smoke. It was really a pleasant experience throughout the entire cigar. I had a light nicotine buzz that was nothing like the Garo Habano I tried a couple weeks ago and tossed out. I only smoked about half an inch of that cigar and I felt like someone hit me on the forehead with a ball peen hammer. The La Gloria Cubana was just a pleasant, refined smoke that I really enjoyed.

I have a feeling that for a more experienced smoker the flavor of the La Gloria Cubana Wavell might be a bit light or even bland. But for a newbie smoker I think this was a good choice. I enjoyed it and I'd certainly think about buying a 5 pack to have in my humidor.

[Cabaiguan Juan]

Nice review, I'm glad you got to smoke something that you liked. I had a different perspective, and have since given up on LGC. But to each their own.

[ashauler]

Nice review.

[Dru Lee Parsec]

I had a different perspective, and have since given up on LGC.

Was it because LGC was too mild or too bland? I've tried one of my new Cuban Crafters cigars a couple days ago and it was pretty intense. I know lots of folks like stronger cigars but it was a bit much for me.

Admittedly, the Wavell was a very mild cigar. I was just wondering if to a more experienced smoker like yourself if that mildness comes across as missing something?

BTW, I also realized, by shopping online, that I paid about twice as much for this cigar as I should have.

[Cabaiguan Juan]

Was it because LGC was too mild or too bland? I've tried one of my new Cuban Crafters cigars a couple days ago and it was pretty intense. I know lots of folks like stronger cigars but it was a bit much for me.

Admittedly, the Wavell was a very mild cigar. I was just wondering if to a more experienced smoker like yourself if that mildness comes across as missing something?

BTW, I also realized, by shopping online, that I paid about twice as much for this cigar as I should have.

Actually, it wasn't the lack of flavor, but more the harshness of the cigar. I've tried the Wavell several times and a few other LGC's. Some where in my humidor and some were fresh out of the shop. Each one started out good, but quickly turned hot, and harsh and sour. I thought that it might have been my inexperience at the time, or keeping them at the 'wrong' RH. I've consistanly had harsh smokes from them and even with trying to control how often I puff on one in order to keep it cool and not harsh, or try to control the humidity, which sucks b/c the flavor of them is pretty good, before it got harsh.

[dpenix76]

Actually, it wasn't the lack of flavor, but more the harshness of the cigar. I've tried the Wavell several times and a few other LGC's. Some where in my humidor and some were fresh out of the shop. Each one started out good, but quickly turned hot, and harsh and sour. I thought that it might have been my inexperience at the time, or keeping them at the 'wrong' RH. I've consistanly had harsh smokes from them and even with trying to control how often I puff on one in order to keep it cool and not harsh, or try to control the humidity, which sucks b/c the flavor of them is pretty good, before it got harsh.

You know,I had nearly the same experience with the two lgc's that I have had.I barely made it to halfway before I chucked them.That being said,I rather enjoy the LGC petits.Good for a 10-15 min smoke if thats all I'm in the mood for.

[Cabaiguan Juan]

... if to a more experienced smoker like yourself if that mildness comes across as missing something?

BTW, I do not consider myself experienced. I'm just like you, trying to figure out what I like and don't. I have gravitated toward stronger smokes since my start. I look for more medium to full bodied smokes.

[Dru Lee Parsec]

Actually, it wasn't the lack of flavor, but more the harshness of the cigar

That's interesting because I found it really mellow. I was considering buying some more Wavells (maybe even a box). I wonder if I just got a "good one"? I guess thats what 5 packs are for. That way I can buy just a few and see if I have the same experience you had.

Thanks for the heads up.