At the 2017 IPCPR Trade Show in Las Vegas, General Cigar Company showcased a new line under its La Gloria Cubana known as the La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva. It’s a significant release for La Gloria Cubana as it is a collaboration done with brand founder Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. This is Perez-Carrillo’s first La Gloria Cubana release since he left General Cigar in 2009.
The cigar is produced at Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s Tabacalera La Alianza factory working with Jhonys Diaz who oversees the General Cigar’s cigar making operations. The cigars will be sold through General Cigar. As a part of the launch of the cigar, Perez-Carrillo Jr. will visit select retailers to discuss the history of the La Gloria Cubana brand.
In a press release announcing the La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva, Perez-Carrillo commented, “La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva is based on a blend I created in the 1980s after I took over our Little Havana factory from my father. I am very proud of this cigar because it complements the other blends in the line and has a taste profile that will appeal to people who have smoked La Gloria since the brand first hit it big in the 90s. To me, Colección Reserva speaks to the legacy of La Gloria Cubana and proves that while so much has happened with the brand, nothing has changed.”
Jhonys Diaz, who oversees General Cigar’s cigar making operations worldwide noted, “My team and I have always admired Ernesto for his unique approach to cigar blending, and have remained friends since he left the company to establish EP Carrillo in 2009. We were thrilled at the opportunity to work with Ernesto again, and are very proud of Colección Reserva.”
The blend features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper over a Nicaraguan viso binder, and Nicaraguan seco and ligero filler leaves that were selected by Perez-Carrillo. The cigars will be available in three sizes: Robusto, Toro, and Presidente. The cigars are packaged in 20-count boxes with a design inspired by Perez-Carrillo’s personal humidor. This will be a full-time regular production line.
This is not the first time Perez-Carrillo has worked with General Cigar since departing. In 2014, Perez-Carrillo teamed up with Michael Giannini of General Cigar to create the limited Re+United cigar. That cigar was also made at Tabacalera La Alianza and distributed by General Cigar.
The timing of the release is also interesting in that 2018 marks 50 years since Perez-Carrillo Jr. opened the El Credito factory, the place where he first produced La Gloria Cubana.
At a glance, here is a look at the La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva:
Blend Profile
Wrapper: Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (Tabacalera La Alianza)
Vitolas Available
Robusto: 5 1/2 x 54 (SRP $7.59)
Torpedo: 6 x 54 (SRP $8.29)
Presidente: 7 1/2 x 54 (SRP $8.99)
Photo Credit: Cigar Coop
