Blind Cigar Review: Royal Gold | Kismet Fate

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Double Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 60
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Corojo 2006
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Factory: Corporacion Cigar Export
Blender: Augusto Reyes Sr, Augusto Reyes Jr, Nirka Reyes Estrella and Pedro Almonte
Number of reviewers: 5 —– Craig (WyldKnyght) Robert (NavyPiper) Ron (shuckins) Dave (mdwest) Emmett (rhetorik)
Price: $8.50
Age: 4 Months Rest
Release Date: August 2013
Contributed by: Royal Gold Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 89

“This oversized Toro had a nice oily, milk chocolate brown wrapper with some small to medium veins and one large vein down the length.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

Aroma: 89

“An earthy peat, with a light peppery cedar smell.” –Ron (shuckins)

First Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“This cigar was easy to light for a larger RG cigar. Started out with lots of strong, spicy ,peppery flavors with some hints of cocoa and cinnamon. It had lots of wispy light smoke.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“The first few puffs I get a nice graham cracker taste, and not much spice. Further in some red pepper spice comes in the mix, joined by leather. The draw is a tad tight, but the burn and smoke production are quite good for a cigar this large. The finish is pretty spicy, more so than the actual smoke. Towards the end of the third, most of the original flavors disappear and I’m left with kind of a sour grape taste. I hope something picks up in the next third.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cedar is more of a straight wood taste, and along with the peppery allspice, adds a bit of heat to the cigar as it passes the halfway point. Nothing to worry about though as it’s not an unbearable heat and adds an exciting kick to the cigar.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Wood notes become a little stronger in the second third and the strength starts to ramp up a little bit as well. We’re now into the medium-strong range. The nicotine content has become much more noticeable. ” –Dave (mdwest)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Black pepper has come a little more forward at this point, but the original notes of wood and grass are still there as well. Strength continues to grow in the final third and we are now on the higher end of the medium-strong rating.” –Dave (mdwest)

“Some nice wood flavors have emerged again, somewhat redeeming this cigar, but nothing to write home about. It’s smokable at this point, but not very enjoyable. The cigar leaves me with damp wood with a little sweetness, not my favorite third.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 89

“Draw was very good, just enough resistance but not enough to feel like it was restricting things.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Burn: 89

“The burn was fine from the initial lighting until it went out at the end, so no complaints here.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

Construction: 89

“The construction was ok. I think this stick was rolled a little tightly so the draw and burn suffered, but it never fell apart.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 89

“Overall a good cigar, a little strong for my taste. I wouldn’t go out of my way to find it, although I would smoke it again if I had one.” –Craig (WyldKnyght)

“On the whole, it was ok. Flavors seemed pretty mild throughout, but did get a little bit stronger in the 2nd and final thirds, but never quite ‘got there’ if you know what I mean. The draw and burn were very good. I think it would be good for a morning coffee, first cigar of the day kind of cigar. If it was stronger in the flavor department I’d be more receptive to it. It was just a little too bland for my preference.” –Robert (NavyPiper)

“Although not too dimensional, overall a pretty enjoyable cigar that I would smoke again.” –Ron (shuckins)

“Overall not a bad smoke. Not exactly in my wheelhouse in terms of flavor profile, and a bit larger vitola than I normally like, but it might be just what someone else is looking for.” –Dave (mdwest)

“This cigar was smokable, but not something I really enjoyed or would recommend. The flavors were plain, boring, and harsh at times. This felt like a cheap cigar that could maybe be relegated to yardwork or mooches.” –Emmett (rhetorik)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 90

Total Score: 89 (Good)

Edit

Reviewer	Appea-rance	Aroma	1/3	2/3	3/3	Draw	Burn	Constr.	Overall
Craig	88	88	88	88	88	88	88	88	88
Robert	90	88	85	88	88	90	90	90	88
Ron	88	88	88	88	90	95	97	90	90
Dave	90	92	88	90	88	90	92	92	90
Emmett	85	95	85	80	80	88	88	88	85
Overall	89	89	88	88	88	89	89	89	89

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Royal Gold | Kismet Fate