Saga Golden Age Yamasá Gran Corona – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

De Los Reyes introduced an intriguing new addition to their lineup at the 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show, the Saga Golden Age Yamasá. This latest entry stands out primarily for its use of a distinct wrapper leaf sourced from the Yamasá region in the Dominican Republic, renowned for its unique soil and climate conditions conducive to growing exceptional tobacco. The company has chosen to keep the binder and filler components under wraps, encouraging aficionados to focus their attention on the rich qualities of the Yamasá wrapper.

Notably, each wrapper used in the Saga Golden Age Yamasá line has been aged for four years, ensuring a matured and refined smoking experience. For the 2023 release, the cigars are wrapped with leaves harvested in 2019, cultivated by Monica Kelner.

Currently, the Saga Golden Age Yamasá is available exclusively in a 5 5/8 x 47 Gran Corona size, with a price point of $14 per cigar or $140 for a box of ten. Produced at the De Los Reyes factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic, the specifics of the production volume remain undisclosed. This new offering is an extension of the Saga Golden Age line, which first made its debut in 2014, showcasing a full-strength, full-bodied Dominican puro profile. The introduction of the Yamasá variant adds a new dimension to the Saga Golden Age's legacy, promising a unique and engaging smoking journey.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Length: 5 5/8″
Ring Gauge: 47
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Republic Yamasa
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Factory: De Los Reyes S.A.
Blender: Nirka Reyes
Number of reviewers: 5 – Jessica (Stogie Sister) Sean F. (fullermaine) Chris M. (Chris) Lauren S. (Lauren S.) Bill C.(Bill)
Price: $14.00
Age: 8 Months
Release Date: July 2023
Contributed by: De Los Reyes

Initial Impressions – Saga Golden Age Yamasá Gran Corona

Appearance: 93

“A mottled dark brown wrapper decorates this corona gorda. There are some noticeable stretch marks and a water spot near the foot. A fairly even double cap up top is finished with a neat little pigtail.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Aroma: 93

“Strong barnyard aroma. Predominantly hay with a slight sweetness.”-Bill C. (Bill)

First Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“This one starts with rich cedar and a cherry-like fruit sweetness. Beneath that, I get some walnut and mineral earth. After about ten minutes in the cedar starts to even out. Coming up on the second third and I start to get the slightest white pepper tingle on the finish.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“Complex draw of cedar oil, slight mustiness, baking spice, and a hint of subtle milk chocolate.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

Second Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Not much changes moving into the second third, though I won't mark that down as a complaint though. I do have to be a bit careful with my smoking rate because when I heat it up too much I do notice a bit of bitterness.” –Bill C. (Bill)

“Around the halfway mark, the sour flavor finally fades, leaving the earth to take over as the primary flavor without much more complexity.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Final Third

Flavor: 85
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“No changes to the complex draw of cedar oil, slight mustiness, baking spice, and a hint of subtle milk chocolate. Except, now I'm getting char due to the numerous touchups and relights needed.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“Up until the last inch and a half, there isn't much of a change. Then the profile falls apart a bit as the nub gets hot a bit earlier than I'd hope for (though this admittedly could be my fault) and it becomes extremely bitter so I put it down with about an inch left.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Overall Impressions – Saga Golden Age Yamasá Gran Corona

Draw: 94

“I took a tiny sliver off the cap and was met with a fairly loose draw. Only a hint of resistance pre-light. It doesn't change once lit.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Burn: 89

“A decent burn which leads to a quick burn. Only good quality was the tri-colored curved ash.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Construction: 86

“Not much attention was needed, which I always appreciate. The draw was a little loose, but it didn't take much to get a solid mouthful of smoke.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 83

“I would like to try this cigar again, but next time I will use a punch cut. The cigar has potential, but sometimes man-made products have issues.” –Jessica (Stogie Sister)

“Not a good quality cigar. Veiny appearance leads to a quick burn and unraveling. Very bitter for 2/3 of the cigar. Notes of cedar, hickory, toast, bitter coffee, bitter tea, and peanuts. The only good quality was the draw. Not a cigar I'd seek out or try again.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“This one lands in the “just a cigar” category for me. It was inoffensive in the flavor department, and fairly easy to get through. Nothing really stood out for me during the experience, but I'd smoke one again if it was a gift.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“I feel like this cigar may have been a little young or ran into some issues during its aging. The opening has a strong sour flavor, and the finish is dry and chalky. It gave me classic signs of a young stick. While smokable, and I didn't have to put it down, the only flavor I could get between those two issues was a nice classic light earthy flavor. I'd like to try this stick again with six months to a year of age on it to see if that was the issue.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“I'd smoke this again, though not every day. A very linear, but unique profile. It's a little disappointing that the end was earlier and as bitter as it was. I look forward to trying another example of this cigar to see if that bitterness at the end is usual (and I hope it isn't) and if that profile repeats as well (and I hope it does).” –Bill C. (Bill)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 58

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

Saga Golden Age Yamasá Gran Corona – Blind Cigar Review