HISTORY
Beginning as a small brand by Sociedad Cabañas y Castro in 1885, La Gloria Cubana (aka “The Glory of Cuba”), was warmly embraced by Havana’s citizens from inception. The emphasis was always on quality over quantity, causing some to wax poetic and refer to this brand as “boutique” before the term was chic. An accessible price point coupled with vitolas that perfectly expressed its flavor profile initially defined the original La Gloria, and those of you who have enjoyed the modern Dominican-rolled version are aware that this concept is still a defining principle today.
The brand was purchased by the cigar-famous Cifuentes family in 1954, and production moved to the Partagás factory prior to disappearing after the Revolution nationalized all manufacturing facilities in 1959. Decades later, Cuban ex-pat Ramón Cifuentes sold the naming rights to La Gloria Cubana to Ernesto Pérez-Carrillo, Sr., whose Little Havana factory churned out their version to resounding local success. Re-blended by Ernesto Jr. after assuming control of his father’s business, La Gloria Cubana went from preferred neighborhood premium to a runaway nationwide hit during the “cigar boom” of the 1990s. In 1993 Cigar Aficionado awarded four La Glorias a ‘90’+ rating, skyrocketing the handmades to such superstardom that Ernesto Jr. had moved production to a larger facility in the Dominican Republic to meet demand.
INNOVATION
A continuous theme within the La Gloria Cubana legacy is innovation – something that continues to this day. When Pérez-Carrillo, Jr. was at the helm, he spearheaded the “big ring-gauge craze,” and other well-known brands since that time have regularly incorporated 60-ring Gordos as part of their regular production; Ernesto is also the man responsible for popularizing fuller-bodied blends within the U.S. market. Even now, 12+ years after the two-time #1 Cigar of the Year winner handed the reigns over to General Cigar Company, the foundation E.P. Carrillo laid is the catalyst for continued innovation.
Alongside the famous ‘92’-rated Classic and ‘92’-rated Serie R, fans of LGC have an abundance of blends from which to choose such as Estelí, Serie R Black, Serie R Black Maduro, Medio Tiempo, Serie R Estelí, and Spanish Press. A trailblazer when it came to utilizing Nicaraguan tobaccos long-before it became fashionable, the Master Blenders at El Credito realized top crops grown in soil reminiscent of that of Cuba’s famed Vuelta Abajo region helped provide the added strength, depth, and rich flavors that continue to be their hallmark. Although the logo and packaging have undergone a refresh to resonate with an increasingly diverse and modern audience, General Cigar’s commitment to upholding old-world traditions rings especially true with La Gloria Cubana.
THE MAGIC OF EL CREDITO
A special spotlight has been placed upon the employees at the El Credito factory. Lovingly referred to as “artisans,” they are largely multi-generational craftspeople whose early skills were passed down from generation to generation – just as it has always been done with all facets of the cigarmaking trade. Despite LGC’s widespread acclaim, there’s still a boutique mindset behind the brand – something which dates back to its Cuban origins – and that which can certainly be seen via the level of care and quality control that goes into each handmade. Recognizing the importance of leading by example, El Credito also has designated mentors: highly respected for their countless years of experience and passion for the craft, these special individuals foster the already-impressive talents of each artisan, helping them to take their skills to new heights.
The factory’s General Manager, Yuri Guillen, takes an especially hands-on approach to the production of each La Gloria Cubana cigar. Unless you’ve visited General Cigar Dominicana, you might be shocked to learn that El Credito is technically a stand-alone rolling gallery. It’s a unique operation in comparison to how its sister brands are made under the greater Scandinavian Tobacco Group’s premium portfolio. Guillen has nicknames for specific areas on the floor: there’s the “kitchen,” where tobacco is weighed for consistency and blend materials are bundled together; and jokingly referring to the first aging area after fresh-rolls pass their initial inspections, Yuri has “the money room”. This room is the temporary home to approximately 2.5 million cigars embarking on the aging process for the first three weeks. This process allows for excess ammonia and moisture to dissipate, as well as aiding in the prevention of mold growth; it’s also where the various tobaccos in each completed blend begin integrating (aka “marrying”).
In between the “kitchen” and the “money room” is the official creation of each La Gloria Cubana. General Cigar uses a Lieberman Machine – also referred to as a hand bunch rolling machine – allowing the torcedores to work in teams of three (two rollers and one buncher), rather than the traditional two-team method. Adding on an extra person allows for even more distinction between LGC and its sister brands, but that’s not the only reason why: due to emphasis on larger ring gauges, these premiums are more labor-intensive to produce.
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So much more could be said about this brand’s past and present, but I’m instead inviting you to grab a few LGCs and revisit this special label with your newfound knowledge. It’s safe to assume that La Gloria Cubana will be around for many years to come, and with that, we can all look forward to innovative blends and concepts that continue to simultaneously honor the past while marching toward the future.