La Gloria Cubana Esteli White Toro 9/8/17

 Appearance
A dark brown colored wrapper with a few prominent veins. The seams are tightly wrapped and difficult to find. It has a bit of mottling and a nice oily sheen. The filler bunch is well packed but has a couple of soft spots. There is a little bit of tooth as well.

Aroma
Cedar combined with sweetness on the wrapper. Cedar, earth and sweetness at the foot.

Prelight Draw
Dried red fruit, earth, cedar and spice.

1st
The initial draws bring notes of rich earth and cedar with a faint spice on the lips and tongue. The draw is a bit snug. The burn is spot on. The ash is light gray and stacked but looking a little suspect. Near the end of the 1st/3rd the burn develops a U shape on one side. Upon inspection of the working end after removing the ash I find several tiny tunnels in the affected area.

2nd
Smoke production is at the low end of high. Draw opens up nicely. Midway in the cigar some cashew notes join the profile. The spice has developed into a crushed red pepper with a pinch of black pepper for an interesting combo. The finish is long with notes of earth, cedar, dried red fruit, cashew and a crushed red pepper and mild black pepper spice combo.

Final/3rd
The black pepper spice becomes balanced with the crushed red pepper spice. Flavor profile is consistent right to the nub.

Overall
The La Gloria Cubana Esteli White Toro provides an enjoyable smoking experience. A well balanced and flavorful profile with a good draw and mildly erratic burn.