I know I have said it before, but I will say it again....La Gloria is my favorite of the big-name-brands.  So, getting to review a shop exclusive LGC is pretty exciting.  This new Serie RF has been lauded as a perfect combo of La Gloria's finest tobaccos.  Bold words indeed.  Let's see how it plays out.  Here we go....

Construction: Like most of La Gloria's cigars, the RF is a tad lumpy and rustic looking.  The wrapper is deep brown with smooth seams and no veins.  The band is a dual affair that uses the standard and classic La Gloria band over the top of a rather simple striped deal.  I thought it was one band until I started trying to take it off the cigar.

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: Out of the cellophane, the RF gives off very heavy notes of earth and spice.  From the foot there is a yeasty aroma that reminds me of a pint of Guinness. The draw is perfect - just the right amount of resistance.  A cold pull gives a nice sweet tobacco note with a earthy hint.

Light and Burn: I had a few issues with these burning oddly but the third last one I smoked was spot on perfect.  Letting them rest for a couple of weeks really helped.

Tasting: It is obvious right from the start that this is a beast of a cigar.  Dense notes of espresso, minerals, and charred cedar paste the palate.  Notes of red pepper, black pepper, and that charred cedar make up the core.  This is one you don't want to smoke on an empty tank.  A rawer form of cedar shows up in the mix as well.  A spice bomb is a good way to describe the RF.  There is also a very meaty quality - almost chewy - to the smoke as well.  So far quite good.

The middle third adds a sweet candy like note - it is faint but it adds a nice tone to the cigar as a whole.  The mineral note takes center stage over the charred cedar and pepper core.  This gives a very unique profile to the RF as I usually find that mineral notes show that a cigar needs more age.  In this case it feels like a deliberate flavor and it makes the pepper and cedar pop out a bit more.  A rich earth note like a flowerbed after a light rain hits me as the second third passes.  Very nice and unusual profile here, folks.

The final third ups the strength a bit more - you can tell there is some ligero in there.  It is quite powerful but not so much so as to make the cigar harsh.  You should smoke this one slowly, folks. A faint chocolate and vanilla pair of flavors mingle around too but again, they are pretty faint.  Just enough to make you realize that the cigar complexity is still playing with your taste buds.  And there it is...a black licorice flavor.  I wasn't expecting that.  Again, a mighty cigar.

Value: A four pack of these will average out to about $7 a stick - not a bad price for an exclusive.  Snag yourself a few here or check out Famous Smoke's La Gloria lineup!

Final Thoughts: The La Gloria RF was created to blow your face off, I think.  It does succeed where many fail.  It isn't harsh while still being a powerful cigar.  I tried a LOT of cigars from the IPCPR in 2014 that tried to be full bodied using loads of ligero and they were just terrible.  With this entry, La Gloria and Famous Smoke got it right.  Is it the most powerful cigar I have ever smoked?  No...but it is in the top 5.  If you are a fan of full bodied cigars, this one should be right up your alley.  Easily recommended.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano
Binder: US Connecticut Havano
Filler: Nicaraguan and Dominican

Strength: Full

Size: 6 x 50

There is that rather rustic look.

Love the banding.  It is actually two separate bands but you can't tell from a distance.