Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the J. London Gold Series Lonsdale is medium tan, with some raised veins running down the back and a network of fine veins elsewhere. The seams are smooth and the caps well applied. There are two bands, both in a white, gold, red and blue color combination. The primary denotes the brand, while the secondary denotes the line. The aroma from the wrapper is a mix of musty cedar and dusty earth, while the foot brings cedar, bread and stewed fruit. The pre-light draw brings cedar and stone fruit sweetness.

First Third

The cigar begins with toasted cedar, black pepper and a bit of dark roast coffee. At a half inch in, a mild creaminess joins the profile. The retrohale is toasted cedar and a light creamy but zingy black pepper. At an inch and a quarter, the coffee note increases a bit. At an inch and a half in, the black pepper mellows a bit. As the third comes to a close, the toasted cedar is up front, with the black pepper just behind the middle of the profile, the dark roast coffee just behind that and some creaminess in the background. The strength was slightly above medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the creaminess increases a bit. At a half inch in, the black pepper bumps up to just ahead of the middle of the profile. The retrohale is now toasted cedar with even amounts of black pepper and creaminess. At an inch and a half, the creaminess departs and the profile becomes slightly dry. As the third comes to a close, the toasted cedar is up front, with black pepper just ahead of the middle of the profile and some dark roast coffee in the back half of the profile. The strength remained at slightly above medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, a light creaminess rejoins. At a half inch in, the coffee note mellows a bit. The retrohale is now just toasted cedar and some black pepper. At an inch in, the toast level increases a bit and a light wood bitterness becomes present. As the cigar comes to a close, the toasted cedar is up front, with black pepper just ahead of the middle of the profile and dark roast coffee, creaminess and wood bitterness in the background. The strength remained at slightly above medium.

Burn

The burn was straight throughout and the ash varied in how long it held on, sometimes dropping at one inch and some times closer to two inches.

Draw

The draw was perfect, with just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

The cigar began with toasted cedar, black pepper and a bit of dark roast coffee. A mild creaminess joined in a bit later. The second third saw the creaminess pick up a bit and then later depart. The final third saw a light creaminess rejoin and then the toast level increased and a light wood bitterness joined in. The construction was absolutely perfect. The J. London Gold Series Lonsdale had a nice flavor profile through the first two thirds. It offered a bit of a bolder strength level and a nice combination of flavors. It took a step down in the final third as the creaminess and coffee was mellow and some wood bitterness joined in. I was pretty impressed with this offering. I love the size, and a bolder Connecticut shade is nice to find. I’d come back to this cigar and am interested in trying another vitola.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

6.82

Cost/Point

$2.79

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: J. London Gold Series Lonsdale