Wrapper: Nicaraguan Rosado (Jalapa-Cuban Seed)
Binder: African Cameroon
Filler: Nicaraguan (Ometepe, Esteli), Honduran (Jamastran) [ Ligero, Seco and Viso]
Size: 5.75 x 52 “Toro- Queen”
Body: Medium
Price: $6.00

Some cigars are born great. Others mature into greatness. Others just lay there like my first wife on our honeymoon.
I did something I never do. I received these cigars last night. And I had a gut feeling so I smoked one after dinner not expecting a lot; figuring they would be too green.

Man, was I wrong. Do you like $11 My Father Cigars? Then you will love Casino Gold.

Alex Goldman is a real mensch. He is the president of Royal Gold Cigars. After sending me some Kismet cigars for review, he sent me the brand new Casino Gold sticks. Just like the Kismet, both made their debut at the 2013 IPCPR trade show.

While the Kismet is made by the Augusto Reyes Family in the DR, the Casino Gold is made by Nestor Plasencia in Honduras.

The parent company is Swisher International. It was the cigar we all bought when we were allowed our first cigar. Everyone smoked the Swisher Sweets…and still do. But now they have entered the premium market. The Kismet was absolutely terrific and you can read the review here.
The gimmick of the names of each size is based on the name of FACE cards in a deck: Jack: 6 x 44, Queen: 5.75 x 52, King: 7 x 54, Ace: 6.25 x 62, Joker: 6 x 52 (Belicoso).

Interestingly, Swisher is the largest manufacturer of cigars in the world. But they felt it was time to try something other than machine made cigars.
There is a third inexpensive Cuban Sandwich blend called Gold Strike that runs around $25 for a bundle of 15. And is made in Nicaragua.

Construction is excellent. The wrapper is light brown. The stick is packed solid without a single soft spot. There is an impeccably constructed single cap. Seams are excellent and there are lots of small veins. The whole presentation is nicely done. I like the 1960’s style cigar band. It makes me think of the Rat Pack. It is simple, but elegant. A red and black background with white lettering trimmed in gold. And the letters: H.R.S. beneath the name. They stand for High Roller Section. Thanks to Alex for informing me on this.
There is a nice foot band that is cardinal in color with the words: “Royal Gold” written in gold lettering. Classy.

I clip the cap and find aromas of spice, gingerbread cookies, sweetness, and dried apricot.
Time to light up.

The first puffs are delightful. A fruity, sweet flavor arises instantly. Smoke is everywhere and I have to turn the floor fan on.
And then the blast of humongous pepper hits me like the boulder chasing Indiana Jones. It’s extremely potent and right up my alley. The draw is superb and the char line is on point.

There is an earthy and meaty arena. It is a manly cigar. Or a girlie cigar if you’re a chick.

There is so much red pepper, it makes my nose run, my eyes water, and sinuses are as clear as the walking path next to Chernobyl.

The sweetness is looming large. And at the ¾” mark, a big dollop of buttery creaminess appears. The dried fruit is not apricot as it was in the aromas. It is less tart, like a peach.

Riding herd over the other flavors is that gingerbread mixture. I can taste the ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and brown sugar. I’ve had this cigar less than 24 hours and it is turning into an extremely flavorful cigar by the first inch.

The char line continues to be spot on. The spice tamps down a bit.

Last night’s char line was impeccable. So the consistency is there. I am not sure if Alex wants his cigars compared to another brand, but I can’t help but say that this blend has striking similarities to the My Father brand. Extraordinary blending and construction. A medium bodied cigar. And a real flavor bomb.

I harp on this note because we all know how expensive the MF cigars are. And if you want a similar experience, it’s yours for $5-$6. I’ve officially found my new favorite cigar. Wally Guse, if you don’t buy at least a 5 pack of these, then you aren’t my friend anymore. Because I am steering you towards one great deal.

In all my fol-de-rol about how good this cigar is, I forget to mention that I passed into the second third. I get a blast of milk chocolate that complements the creaminess to the tee.

And then behind the cocoa, comes the flavor of honey. Fresh off the farm. I can smell it. I tip my hat to Royal Gold Cigars. When Alex got the opportunity to bring the word “premium” to Swisher, he didn’t fool around. He came up with an absolutely perfect cigar.

The body is at classic medium. I tend to smoke medium/full to full bodied cigars but when a medium is a flavor bomb like this, who cares? The red pepper gives the illusion of more strength than it really has.

Here are the flavors in descending order: Spice, creaminess, cocoa, sweetness, honey, peach, gingerbread, cedar, earthiness, and leather.

I begin the last third and the flavors explode. The cigar becomes very complex which astounds me because it was on a UPS truck, in cellos, just yesterday. I don’t think I’ve ever smoked a cigar this impressive, this soon.

The complexity rolls all the flavors together in one big ball. Each distinct flavor has its turn at zinging past your palate.

These cigars are up for sale on a lot of online stores. Do your research because some online stores are charging prices that are quite different than the next.

This is a spectacular cigar. It is so perfectly balanced and with a might long finish. This is a cigar that will always be in my humidor.
The cigar finishes cool, without a hint of harshness or bitterness. Go get some.
In summary, what does it say about the expensive Garcia blends when a man with a vision and passion, develops a cigar that is in the same category of character, flavor, complexity, and richness as a $10-$12 cigar? I have a lot of respect for Alex Goldman. Both the Kismet and Casino Gold are exemplary cigars worthy of your time and money.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: casino gold cigar review, casino gold cigrars, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, royal gold cigars, swisher international