2018 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #10: La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva Robusto

“Perez-Carrillo’s second reunion with General Cigar is a home run. No doubt from the looks of the La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva Robusto and the packaging, this projects speaks “throwback.” When it comes to the cigar experience, it also is a throwback.”

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera La Alianza
Robusto: 5 1/2 x 54
Price: $7.59
Review: La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva Robusto (11/29/17)
Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): 5 (2010, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018)

Coming in at #10 is the La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva Robusto. The La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva is a cigar released by General Cigar in conjunction with Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr’s Tabacalera La Alianza.

Perez-Carrillo Jr. is well-known for his strong ties with General Cigar. When Swedish Match (who owned General) acquired Perez-Carrillo Jr’s El Credito operation (which included the La Gloria Cubana brand) in 1999, Perez-Carrillo Jr. became a part of the General Cigar team. Perez-Carrillo Jr would remain there until 2008 when he would depart to form his own company, E.P. Carrillo. While Perez-Carrillo Jr. has been gone for nine years, this is not his first “return” to General Cigar as back in 2014 he would collaborate with them on the Re+United project. This time, the La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva collaboration is a project that goes back to the brand he founded – La Gloria Cubana.

While General Cigar has landed on four countdowns over the years, three of those countdowns have included the La Gloria Cubana brand. This is also the fourth cigar on the 2018 Countdown to come from Perez Carrillo Jr’s Tabacalera La Alianza factory.

The La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva features an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper – a wrapper that has been synonymous with Perez-Carrillo throughout his storied career. The remainder of the blend features all Nicaraguan tobaccos. There are three sizes – all 54 ring gauge. The Robusto comes in at 5 1/2 x 54.

The La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva Robusto delivers a flavor profile of wood, cherry, pepper, mineral as well as some assorted tangy notes. For the most part, the flavors hover just over the medium to full line – and this is countered by medium strength.

In a lot of ways, the La Gloria Cubana Colección Reserva Robusto is a return to the classic La Gloria Cubana blends that Perez-Carrillo was known for when he was associated with the brand. It’s a fantastic cigar and certainly a line that is capable of anchoring the La Gloria Cubana line. The cigar easily wins a top ten spot.