The Maduro version of the La Gloria Cubana Serie R Black cigar was released by General Cigar in July 2016. As is the case with the Serie R Black, Serie R Black Maduro cigars are only available via internet and catalog cigar retailers, and are not sold at brick and mortar tobacconists. These cigars are made with a blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos and Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers, and are available in three sizes. The size sampled for this review was the No. 58, which measures 6.875 inches in length with a ring gauge of 58. SRP per cigar is $7.79. For more information about both the La Gloria Cubana Serie R Black Maduro and Serie R Esteli Maduro cigars, please see the press release.

Judging just by its appearance, the La Gloria Cubana Serie R Black Maduro can be an intimidating cigar to many cigar smokers, and rightfully so. This is not a cigar for beginners nor most mainstream cigar smokers. The cigar began with a big, bold and full earthy flavor with a peppery and spicy aftertaste. After five minutes or so, the pepper faded and cigar's full earthy flavor was augmented by subtle hints of spice and sweet cream. The cigar was full bodied and had some strength, but was not over the top. The cigar had a very good draw and held a medium-to-long ash. The burn was slow and semi-even, requiring a couple of touch-ups and one relight during the impressive two hours and 10 minutes that it took me to smoke it down to two inches remaining. As far as I can remember, this was the longest time that it ever took me to smoke one cigar.

I rate the La Gloria Cubana Serie R Black Maduro cigar with 3.75 points on a 5-point scale. This cigar was just too bold for my taste to rate it any higher. I found the Serie R Esteli Maduro to be more enjoyable than this Serie R Black Maduro. Beginners should avoid both, but the Serie R Black Maduro cigar is only recommended for the hardest core cigar smokers.

2020 Follow-up Review by Dr. Mitch Fadem