Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the Macanudo Gold Label Golden Nugget is medium tan and has some lightly raised veins present. The seams are a bit raised and the caps are well applied. There are two bands, both with a gold, neon green, white and black color combination. The primary band denotes the brand and the secondary band denotes the line and year. The aroma from the wrapper is a mix of cedar, hay and light earth while the foot brings cedar and stone fruit sweetness. The pre-light draw brings a smoky cedar along with a mild spiciness on my lips.

First Third

The cigar begins with toasted cedar and light amounts of earth and black pepper. At a quarter inch in, the black pepper has a long, dull finish. The retrohale is toasted cedar and light earth. At three quarters of an inch in, some minerality joins the profile. As the third comes to a close, the toasted cedar is up front, with the earth now right behind and a mix of black pepper and minerality in the background. The strength was slightly below medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, a light bitterness joins the profile. At a quarter inch in, the toast level increases a bit. The retrohale is toasted cedar, earth and lightly zingy black pepper. At an inch in, the black pepper increases. As the third comes to a close, the toasted cedar is slightly ahead of the earth, and the black pepper, right behind it. There is still some minerality and bitterness in the background. The strength has bumped up to medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the earth and black pepper are now even, right behind the toasted cedar. The retrohale remains toasted cedar, earth and lightly zingy black pepper. As the cigar comes to a close, the toasted cedar is up front with earth and black pepper right behind and light minerality and bitterness in the background. The strength remained at medium.

Burn

The burn was slightly wavy at times, but never needed any attention. The ash held on to the halfway point, and again until the end.

Draw

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

Overall

The cigar began with toasted cedar and light amounts of earth and black pepper. Some minerality joined a bit later. The second third saw a light bitterness join in. The final third saw the earth and pepper become even, right behind the toasted cedar. The Macanudo Gold Label Golden Nugget had an average flavor profile throughout. Pretty typical Connecticut shade profile with the light bitterness mixed in. This cigar isn’t my preferred format, and in combination with the flavor profile I experienced, not something I’d see myself really coming back to.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.65

Cost/Point

$2.02

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Macanudo Gold Label Golden Nugget