The
Smoking Gun Cigar Review November 2, 2016
Cigar
King Gold Series (Original)
Toro
(6.5 x 52)
I’m
closing in on smoking and reviewing all of the Cigar King exclusive
blends. Today’s selection is the original Cigar King Gold Series. I’m
finding it very interesting to smoke all of the cigars make by
Mitchel Hirsh, owner of Cigar King. Even though all of these brands
are cigars made by different factories and are collaborations between
Mitchel and other blenders, there is a familiarity across the lines.
It’s
hard to explain, but the complexity and balance of all of these
cigars are much the same, but very different. If I were going to
relate it to food (of which I am a big fan), I would say: I really
like Indian food. I love the spices/curries that give them that
“Indian” quality. Although the dishes have different ingredients
and flavor combinations, they are all easily identified as being
Indian; it’s the flavor profile.
The
Cigar King exclusive blends are much like that. They’re made in
different factories, using different tobaccos, but they all have an
underlying consistency. While the obvious identifier is quality, I
seem to get the same sort of tasting notes from each cigar. Now,
that’s not to say they taste the same. They don’t. But, there are
hints of certain things that make me want to try them all and come
back to them again and again.
This
Gold Series is no different. (As I am writing this, I am smoking and
starting my notes on the Gold Series II. Same name; different
tobaccos; different taste). I’m finding it to be familiar and tasty-
just as the original. Here’s what I found in the first opus:
A
little history:
The
cigar is the creation of Mitchel Hirsh and Rocky Patel and is a
limited production release. It is a small-batch production cigar that
only yielded 250 boxes of a Toro (6.5 x 52) size cigar. (I don’t know
how many are left of the original, but you might not want to wait on
this one!) The Gold Series II is available, as well. I’ll be
reviewing it next.
OK.
I’ll list the questions and give an answer for each—based on my
personal smoking experience:
What
are you smoking?
Cigar
King Gold Series – Toro (6.5 x 52)
Who
makes it?
It
is a collaboration between Mitchel Hirsh and Rocky Patel.
Where’s
it from?
It
is made at Rocky Patel’s El Paraiso Factory in Honduras.
What
other sizes are available?
The
cigar is only available in a Toro (6.5 x 52).
How
much does it cost?
I
believe the individual stick price is around $7.00. It is available
in a five pack for $34.00 or a box of 20 for $119.95. That puts the
price at around $6.00 per cigar, based on box pricing discounts.
How
well is it constructed?
It’s
a well-constructed cigar. The wrapper and cap are of the same quality
you would expect in a premium cigar made in a top-notch factory. It
has a lovely dark-brown wrapper with considerable veins, throughout.
What’s
the blend (or, at least, the wrapper)?
The
wrapper is Connecticut Broadleaf over a San Andreas Maduro binder.
The The filler is a mixture of different tobaccos from several
regions in Nicaragua.
How
did it light?
It
was a great light.
How’s
the draw?
The
draw was good and even.
How
does it burn?
The
burn was mostly good. I did have some small issues in the final third
(but, in all honesty, I was distracted and not paying attention to my
cigar.) Operator error!
Is
there a predominate flavor/taste?
The
smell of the wrapper was that of leather and barn. It did have an
underlying sweetness. That combination says, to me, “This is going
to be good!” I did catch some difference on the foot. I smelled
more sweetness and a hint of cocoa and caramel/burnt sugar. The dry
draw was much of the same.
On
the first draw, I tasted a richness and fuller body than I had
expected from the dry draw. There was a light floral quality with
hints of hay/alfalfa and grass. The sweetness was still there, but
only on the back end of the flavor combination.
Did
it change as you smoked it?
Yes.
The second third opened up to a much bolder flavor profile, with the
hint of leather returning and a touch of dried fruit sweetness. (It
may have been raisin. I was drinking something that may have masked
the true flavor). There wasn’t as much pepper/spice as I would have
expected with the filler that was used, but it was there, just not as
strong.
The
final third was stronger, still. The sweetness lessened and the full,
rich flavor of the Nicaraguan fillers took center stage. The cigar
continued toward a bold and potent finish.
How
would you describe its strength: mild, medium, or strong?
I
would call it a medium plus with a strong finish.
Would
you smoke it again?
Yes,
if I can get my hands on more of them. As I said earlier, I don’t
know how many they have left. This was a limited run.
Should
I try it?
Yes!
If you like Nicaraguan tobacco flavors but don’t like the peppery
tongue lashing you get with other blends, this is the cigar for you.
Trust me. The fullness is there, but it isn’t overpowering.
Do
you have an extra that you’ll give me?
No.
I think I’m going to have to take this question out of my reviews.
I’m tired of people asking me for free cigars!
Conclusion:
The
Cigar King Gold Series (original) is a great quality,
reasonably-priced cigar. It has tremendous flavor and evolves through
some wonderful taste changes. It is closer to bold, especially in the
final third, than some of the other Cigar King exclusives, and well
worth a try. If you like strength but don’t like peppery spice, it’s
a wonderful choice.
Flavor,
quality and reasonable price are a rare combination in the cigar
world. But, in my humble opinion, Mitchel Hirsh and Rocky Patel have
produced a combination of those elements that will make you want to
go back to this cigar again and again. I just hope there are some
available that will allow us all to give it a try.
As
mentioned earlier, this cigar is only available at Cigar King. They
can be reached through their website (www.cigarking.com)
or you can stop by the store, located at 7830 E Gelding Dr #100, in
Scottsdale, Arizona. Either way, tell them you read one of my
reviews!
Well,
that’s the end of another Smoking Gun review. I hope you’ve enjoyed
the read. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me
through this page. I’m always happy to answer questions or tell you
about what I’ve been smoking. Also, if you liked, appreciated or
hated my review, let me know. I want to be a resource for the
everyday cigar smoker. You don’t have to be an expert, you just need
an hour or so to enjoy a good cigar.
And,
remember: don’t let other people tell you what to smoke. If
you like it, smoke it!