La Gloria Cubana (Cuba) Medaille d’Or No. 1

Stamped Jun 2002. Very harsh. Like inhaling razor blades. One dimensional and strictly dirty tobacco aroma and flavor. Smoked a second- same thing. Sent the box back to the retailer for a refund. This was a major disappointment.

this is the first of the la gloriaS i've tried in this format and vintage (AGO 02 and OSU 02)and is absolutely superb. The OSU 02's are rolled a little softer than the AGO's but other than that, both a perfect 45 minute cigar. Well done Cuba.

I tend to see cigars listed in the top 25, and then smoke them if I have them around. This surprised me when I saw them up there, so i tried some of my 03s'. A surprisingly good cigar...so much so I had another!

Smoking my first #1, from '02. Awesome cigar is every way...smooth, complex, sweet, spicy, earthy...just excellent. Perfect draw and burn too. Can't believe I have never had one of these, but now the search begins!

What a wonderful and elegant cigar. Mild but symphonic flavors in a slender format that focuses the smoke on the palate. Great cigar.

I bought these because of the reviews and ranking here. I see why they got the high ratings. Very, very nice. A flavor that is sweet and jet very Cuban at the same time.

this is the best cuban I smoke and I smoke them all aged two years or more you cant beat the price

This was a pleasant smoke, but the only thing particularly interesting about it was the shape. The flavor was nice, but not memorable enough to make me want to keep many of these on-hand. I'm glad I tried it, and it was enjoyable, but I won't go out of my way to find any more.

Mine came from an AGO02 box. When I saw the reviews, I thought to myself, there's no way that a cigar can live up to such high praise. Well, it turns out that it was able to do so, and then some. Smooth appearance, spongy feel, perfect draw, and that's without mentioning the fantastic flavour. It began woody, followed by a peppery taste, but not black pepper. It's more akin to a sweet chili pepper; just the right combination of heat and sweetness. Hints of cocoa also appeared. The aftertaste was almost as good as the cigar itself, tasting very sweet and smooth, like my mouth was coated in honey. Into the second third, the pepper flavour began to dominate, and flavours of coffee began to appear. The finale was the best part; the cigar became nutty and sweet at first, before tasting of rich, wet earth (in a very good way). Then, I began to taste very rich fruit flavours, and I swear that my last puffs tasted almost like a delicious piece of carrot cake. The flavour was mild in the beginning, but built to a surprisingly powerful finish. This cigar is one that simply must be tried.

SEP 02 - Was gifted this very elegant smoke by a great friend. This cigar has all the great creamy and rich with a certain background we expect. Smoked slowly; this stick reveals many complexities and rewards the smoker with much enjoyment. A must have in the humi.

Long, thin cigars always make one have doubts about the construction before lighting them. The burn is usually not an issue with thin vitolas, provided the cigars have been stored under adequate conditions, but many panatelas have a terribly tight draw. Not this one. The construction is absolutely perfect, I have yet to encounter one with a bad draw. The taste is an excellent one, very complicated, but well balanced. This is a cigar well worth trying, since it combines great flavour, impeccable construction and commendable consistency.

Got a box of these (OSU JUN02), tempted from the previous reviewers here. Although not everyone's favourite size, do read on.

I fixed myself a nice chilled espresso and fired the 4 year old stick.

This "Delicado Extra", is longer and slightly bigger than a panetela. I tried to smoke it slowly (as I usually devour cigars ) and that's why I had to relight it a number of times with no problems.

Construction was great and smell was the same. I cut and lit it with ease and the draw was good. First puffs reminded me of Cuban punch's and I particularly liked that you didn't have to smoke and inch to feel what's going on. It started with the typical Cuban taste we know and love.

In the 2nd third it was surprise time: CHOCOLATE!!! Tonz of it - my mouth was absolutely full. I mean I haven't tasted this in any cigar to date. I feel that the iced espresso accentuated this even more. I also tasted dried nuts, may I be specific and say macadamias.

The taste of sweet chocolate continued in the last third, without any awkward surprises. But the complexity of this stick didn't end here as the sweetness gave its place to wet earth which at times would very suddenly alternate with leather, which I liked a lot. Didn't part with it until there was less than an inch left and I have to say that bitterness was not present even at this point.

Summarizing, this was an excellent medium bodied cigar, surprisingly and incredibly complex (age?), and although not a popular size and brand I am sure many will find at least enjoyable. I absolutely loved it!!!

I am not a fan of this format, usually very difficult to smoke. But this LCG, brought to me by a friend directly from Cuba, was a hell of a surprise. Impeccable construction and an easy draw were very positive first points. The fact that it needed some fire up was nothing but normal, given the format. And the flavours: oh so cuban, with that cuban "twang" (cocoa? leather?) so unmistakebly....cuban. Very smooth, but with some punch too. A great cigar, really. Good value, too, at least at cuban prices (6$)

This cigar deserves the time and ambience that I had reserved for it as I was sure it was gonna be a beut. I was not disappointed. Rich, full bodied, complex with a creamy finish.... Everything a cigar should be. I cant wait to try an aged one of these.

wonderful experience, one of the best; richness & subtlety.

This cigar was absolutely perfect. Delightfully rounded flavours, smooth draw...an all round "10"