Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: USA Connecticut, Dominican
Size: 6 x 54 Toro
Strength: Medium
Price: $13.00
Release Date: March 2025
Quantity Released: Regular Production
Factory: Tabacalera William Ventura
United Cigars aged the cigars for one year after rolling.
My cigars received two months of naked humidor time.
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
United Cigars has a killer line called Firecrackers. They are limited releases and sell out faster than Jello shots after a colonoscopy.
Aromas are typical Ecuadorian Connie eptitudes: honeysuckle, caramel, cedar, barnyard, chocolate, baking spices, and fresh bread.
I plunge my PerfecPunch into the cap. Dr. Rod moans in absentia. The blow hole is magnificent…like Dr. Kurthy on Zoom from his gold-plated outdoor bathroom stall. The cold draw is powerful with aroma-like notes of honey, barnyard, dark cocoa, black pepper, caramel, cinnamon, almonds, and slight lemon zest.
Tasty torch. Sweet honey do, caramel, citrus, black pepper, almonds, cinnamon, and milk chocolate…plus serious notes of richness. C’mon baby Jane…
Coffee erupts on my palate before half an inch is burned. I do the twinkle toes dance and then my knees say not so fast. Flavors are round. I wish I had the words to describe what that means. It is a feeling and reaction to an overall, not something specific. It doesn’t happen often. Now that I’ve been teased, will this schlong keep it up to the end of the journey? Or will I go on TikTok and say, ‘It’s not fair.’
Construction is good. Strength is medium. I can’t do a Stulac with my morning coffee. Syncope in the a.m., is for younger guys.
What I’m hoping here is that this cigar is an affordable version of Kelner, Fuente, Atabey, and the occasional Davidoff. I don’t expect to be blown away by this familiar blend. But if I can save $6-$12 off a good Casdagli, I’m all in.
Two inches in and the blend is warm and invitational. Like watching golf on a Sunday afternoon after playing an exhausting 18 holes.
It is unavoidable that I mention I taste Bit-O-Honey. The gooey nougaty honey caramel with crunchy almonds. This is exactly the first third of the Gold Star. I don’t need any new flavors. This sold me. What I don require is that the blend does not let me down with a burn out in the last third. And I expect that the second half stun me into submission.
Lovely blend.
I sip coffee to see how it affects. It changes the profile slightly…in a good way. This cigar would be nicely paired with a smooth bourbon. A perfect coexistence.
Flavors seem to be canonized as the second half begins and does the death march towards its demise.
And then it falters. A slight burning note that is sharp and unsuccessful at providing longevity to a positive outcome. What just happened? Damn…and not a good damn. The bottom drops out. The smoothness and refinement disappear and it in its stead is a harshness that ruins a beautiful journey up to that point. Damn.
I’ve got 2-1/2” to go. I’m rootin’ tootin’ for you Gold Star. Don’t let me down. Recoup, evolve, and adapt.
And then all is right with the world. What the hell happened, my babies? Dunno.
Back to square two. It all returns. Is it my palate? Damn straight it is.
Well, skip to my loo. Even I began to stop calling the bathroom ‘the bathroom’ during my stay in Great Britain. I thought ‘loo’ was a stupid substitute, but then ‘toity’ ain’t so grand either.
Chocolate surges. Bit-O-Honey is all over the place. Roasted almonds, yeah. Sweet v. savory is 60/40. Fresh crusty French bread. Creamy lemon curd. And a scoche of black pepper.
Except for that one blurb, the cigar is excellent. I’m sure that the merely subjective palate thing was a bizarre moment in time. With a few more months of sleep, the cigar will exceed all expectations for a $13 stick. Put this cigar in your kit bag. It’s a nubber.
You can purchase various United Cigars blends from sponsor Small Batch Cigar. Take 10% off with promo code KATMAN.
RATING: 96
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
bought a 5 pack last week. Love their cigars.
The LE is also fantastic.
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Alright, Sean. Good for you.
I’ll have to seek out the L.E.
Thanks for your comment,
Phil
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Man, reading this felt like riding a roller coaster of flavors and emotions!
Bit-O-Honey, chocolate, almonds — and even a little drama in the second third!
Loved your storytelling style. Makes me want to grab a Gold Star, sip some bourbon, and do the twinkle toes dance myself.
Thanks for another epic review!
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Man, real talk — you make smoking a damn Gold Star feel like rolling through life with a good song blasting.
Flaws and all, it’s still a hell of a ride.
Respect, Katman.
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Man, I love your reviews. I feel they are the most honest reviews out there! You are my first source of knowledge and inspiration when I am looking for or at a new cigar.
Keep it up
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That’s very kind of you. I am only partially deserving of your praise. The rest of the praise should be for all the voices in my head. I’m getting acupuncture so I can organize them and maybe talk them into getting a part time job.
Phil
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