The La Gloria Cubana Serie R No.7 Natural hits hard with its 7" length and beefy 58 ring gauge. This Dominican-made double corona comes in boxes of 24 priced around $259, packing enough Nicaraguan ligero to make your eyebrows sweat. The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper feels slightly toothy - typical of leaves grown under intense sunlight. Don't let the "Medium" strength rating fool you; this stick's nicotine punch rivals most Nicaraguan puros.
Initial draws blast black pepper and espresso grounds. The smoke feels dense - like chewing on a mahogany plank. Burns slower than congressional hearings despite the open foot. Retrohale reveals burnt caramel sweetness struggling to surface through the tannic onslaught.
Charred oak dominates as the core flavor. Occasional flashes of walnut emerge when paired with espresso. Construction holds strong; ash stacks dime-sized layers until the band point. Watch the burn line - tends to canoe if hurried.
Nicotine buzz kicks in hard around the 60-minute mark. Flavors shift to bitter cocoa and mineral-heavy earthiness. Last inch gets tarry - cut it short unless you enjoy licking ashtrays. Leaves a peppery aftertaste that lingers longer than awkward goodbyes.
Dry box this stick for 48 hours minimum. The thick wrapper needs extra prep time. Pair with Cuban coffee or cheap bourbon - subtle flavors get steamrolled by its intensity. Keep your cutter sharp; the double cap resists sloppy cuts.
