Cigar Review: Principle Cigars Black Gold

The Black Gold is one of the most popular Principle Cigars blends that I carry on The Cigar Farm. The Gold Series from Principle contains the original Gold Band, the Black Gold, and the White Gold. Each blend is available in one size - the Toro Especial - and is crafted in small quantities. The story goes that the original Gold Band was created during the blending process of the extremely popular “Aviator Series”. Some blends and tobaccos were not necessarily in line with the spirit of the Aviator Series, and thus the Gold Series was born. 

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

Factory: KBF Cigar Factory (Kelner Boutique Factory)

Wrapper: Mexican San Andres

Binder: Dominican Republic

Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua

Vitola: 6 x 50 Toro

Price: $14.00 MSRP

Link to Purchase: The Cigar Farm (Use code “Review” to save 10%!)

This Black Gold has a dark reddish brown wrapper with some molting and veins. It is very firmly packed and I love the band design. This cigar smells of brown sugar, earth, and baking spices. The cold draw is creamy and floral. First light brings about full bodied and flavored smoke with notes of citrus, wood, earth, and baking spices. About a half inch in there is some coffee and cocoa making an appearance. The citrus has also shifted towards a dark fruitiness. Entering the second third the performance has been perfect. The profile has added some oily tanginess to the coffee and cocoa as the primary notes. The retrohale shows some of that tang with brown sugar and spices. Hitting halfway there has been a transition towards a slightly salty toastiness that goes very well with the cocoa and coffee. There's a touch of leather in there as well. The retrohale has become creamy dark fruit. Entering the final third pepper and earth have shown up. Coming to an end at about an hour and a half, this Black Gold continued to build in pepper and earth into the end with a showing of about medium strength. The performance remained flawless to the end. 

Overall Experience

There is no doubt as to why the Black Gold is one of my more popular offerings. Flawless performance, flavorful and nuanced profile, and the right balance of intensity to flavor makes this the type of cigar that can hit the palate of both the boldest and mildest smoker, in my opinion. There is enough robustness to satisfy the lover of earthy, peppery maduros - especially in the final third - but there is enough decadence and nuance throughout that I think a milder smoker would find it worth stepping just outside their comfort zone.

Have you smoked this one? Let me know your thoughts!