G. Clay Whittaker
Posted: May 16, 2013
La Gloria Cubana is releasing two new cigars this year with a Nicaraguan country of origin. The first of the new blends will be produced under the Serie R line (which is known for big ring gauges and full-bodied flavor) and will be called La Gloria Cubana Serie R Black. The cigar, which goes on sale in the next two weeks, will only be sold via Internet and catalog retailers.
The La Gloria Cubana brand has been produced in the Dominican Republic for most of its post-Cuban history, but brand owner General Cigar Co. says that the new cigars will be the first La Glorias made in Nicaragua. They are being rolled at Scandinavian Tobacco Group Estelí, S.A.
Serie R Black will be a Nicaraguan puro featuring viso binder tobacco from Jalapa. General says that leaf was fermented for an entire year, then aged for an additional two years.
“What’s also significant about both new blends,” said General Cigar director of innovation Michael Giannini, “is that they have the full flavor that’s characteristic of Nicaraguan tobacco, but they’re not about power. They are meant to deliver the smoking experience of a well-aged, refined and balanced Nicaraguan smoke, and we believe we’re delivering that in spades.”
Serie R Black will come in three thick sizes: No. 58 (6 1/8 inches by 58 ring), No. 60 (6 by 60) and No. 64 (6 1/4 by 64). They are being packed in boxes of 18. We found several online retailers with the cigars on their sites, with a listed wait time for delivery of one to two weeks. The retailers each listed the manufacturer’s suggested retail price between $6.99 to $7.50 per cigar, but each was offering a discount ranging from 20 percent to 40 percent off those prices.
A second new La Gloria line is scheduled for release in July at this year’s International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers trade show. More details will come next month. That line will be available in brick-and-mortar cigar stores.