1502 Black Gold Toro

30 Jan 2014  •  Posted by Jack  •  1502 Cigars  •  3653 views

1502 was a good year....well, I suppose it was.  If anything it led to the European discovery of what would eventually become the cigar capitol of the earth.  Paying homage to that fateful juncture of the space-time continuum, Global Premium Cigars has created a terrific line aptly named 1502.  I have smoked my way  across their three lines in the past year and have been nothing short of impressed.  Today I am finally getting around to reviewing the Black Gold variety - a top seller at The Wharf.  Let's get to it....

Construction: The Black Gold toro is a nice chunky size with a soft box press and a semi-unfinished foot.  The wrapper leaf is dry in appearance and very toothy to the touch.  No seams or veins in sight.

Pre-light Aroma and Draw: Out of the cellophane I get a nice heavy sweet tobacco aroma with traces of dark chocolate and some leather. 

Light and Burn: The Black Gold in this particular size is a quick light and slow burner. 

Tasting: Starting off the Black Gold is fairly potent.  I get loads of rich earth and coffee.  I was expecting the cigar to start off like a shotgun blast to the face.  Actually, this beauty starts off like a crescendo in a symphony.  

The first third hits with that earthy core, coffee, nuts, and a hint of red pepper.  The flavors are complex, expertly blended, and silky smooth.  A mild chocolate sweetness touches the palate too.  What a terrific start!  I smoked one of these many months ago and didn't  really pay much attention to it as my taster was flattened out from antibiotics. I am so glad I was able to get another of these for review.  The smoke from the Black Gold is very aromatic and heavy.  I would classify the density of the flavors coming through as chewy.  It feels like something physical that you can chew on.  Very nice!

The middle third starts off with a very thick nutty flavor mixed within that dense earthy core.  While the overall character of the cigar is intense and deeply rooted within the earthy topsoil flavor it does show some amazing flashes of added flavors on top that play very well together.  I get flashes of hickory, mint, dried apricot, oak, and dried cherries.  Balance is what this cigar is all about.  I can tell that this blend could be very overpowering in the wrong hands, but Enrique Sanchez, owner of Global Premium Cigars, has found a way to take the power, wrap it all up, and deliver it perfectly.

The final third raises the strength a bit but it still isn't overpowering.  Notes of a very rich cocoa and dark roast coffee sit at the forefront of the earthy core.  I am glad that the earthiness hasn't faded into something else as this cigar progressed.  The depth of complexity is simply outstanding and plays so well within the core of the cigar that I am shaking my head almost constantly.  Just terrific!

Value: At around $9 the Black Gold is well priced for everyday enjoyment.

Final Thoughts: Gary Griffith of Emilio Cigars fame, has, as I have said before, collected some of the finest boutique cigars on earth under his umbrella and the 1502 label is a huge testament to just how good Emilio's catalog is.  Before this review, I would have named the Ruby as my favorite 1502 label, with its roasted peanut saltiness....but now the Black Gold has taken the top spot.  What a terrific cigar!  From start to finish, the Black Gold delivers terrific balance and flavor.  It is certainly full bodied while not being overly in your face.  Just terrific all around and very highly recommended.

Wrapper: Nicaraguan sun grown maduro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Strength: Full

Size: 6 x 50


Gorgeous cigar with a well designed label


Final rating:

92/100


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