ChiTown Cigar Podcast

Cigar Review: United Cigars Gold Star

Cigar Review: United Cigars Gold Star

ChiTown Cigar
2–3 minutes

CHI-TOWN DEPARTMENT OF CIGAR REVIEWS INCIDENT REPORT

CASE NUMBER: CCR2025-0726-001

DATE/TIME OF INCIDENT: 2025-07-26, 14:04 CDT

LOCATION OF INCIDENT: Cedar Room

REPORTED BY: Marty C.

-I. INCIDENT TYPE: Product Assessment – Cigar

–II. PRODUCT INFORMATION:

  • PRODUCT NAME: Gold Star

  • BRAND: United Cigars

  • MODEL/VITOLA: Robusto 5×52

  • MANUFACTURING ORIGIN: Dominican Republic @ Tabecalera Willian Ventura

  • COMPONENTS:

    • WRAPPER: Ecuador Habano 2000

    • BINDER: Indonesian Sumatran

    • FILLER: Dominican

  • ESTIMATED VALUE: $12.00 USD

—III. NARRATIVE OF ASSESSMENT:

On the aforementioned date, this reviewer conducted an assessment of a cigar identified as the “Gold Star” cigar by United Cigars. The assessment spanned approximately 75 minutes.

A. SENSORY EVALUATION (TASTE):

  • FIRST THIRD: Product exhibited notes of sweet tobacco creaminess and cedar, akin to buttered popcorn.

  • SECOND THIRD: Continued with similar notes. Retrohale deemed exceptionally smooth. Coffee notes subsequently emerged.

  • FINAL THIRD: Predominant flavors observed were creamy coffee and cashews.

  • COMPLEXITY: Assessment determined the product to be straightforward in flavor profile, consistently creamy with transitions as noted above.

  • STRENGTH: Medium.

  • RESIDUAL FLAVOR: Creamy coffee with a hint of spice.

  • SCORE (Taste Category): 31/40

B. PHYSICAL EVALUATION (CONSTRUCTION):

  • QUALITY: Wrapper observed as smooth, absent of significant veining. Cap noted as flat.

  • TACTILE SENSORY: Product exhibited a firm feel.

  • PREPARATION: Straight cut performed cleanly.

  • SCORE (Construction Category): 19/20

C. FUNCTIONAL EVALUATION (DRAW):

  • RESISTANCE: Minor tightness noted, not to a degree warranting detriment to overall experience.

  • SMOKE PRODUCTION: Volume observed as moderate.

  • CONSISTENCY: Draw remained consistent throughout the assessment.

  • SCORE (Draw Category): 19/20

D. VISUAL EVALUATION (APPEARANCE):

  • AESTHETICS: Wrapper described as milk chocolate brown, complemented by a black and gold band.

  • MARKINGS/BAND: Band features a black matte background with a raised gold star, appearing embroidered.

  • OVERALL PRESENTATION: Deemed to be of high quality.

  • SCORE (Appearance Category): 10/10

E. COMBUSTION EVALUATION (BURN):

  • CONSISTENCY: Burn observed as straight.

  • RESIDUE (ASH): Ash noted as white, with an almost painted appearance.

  • INTERRUPTIONS: No relights or touch-ups were required.

  • DURATION: Approximately 75 minutes.

  • SCORE (Burn Category): 10/10

—-IV. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS:

The “Gold Star” cigar, a limited release in 2024 to honor Navy SEALs and subsequently made regular production in 2025, presents as a 5×52 Robusto manufactured in the Dominican Republic. It features an Ecuador Habano 2000 wrapper, Indonesian Sumatran binder, and Dominican filler, with a price point of $12.00 USD. The flavor profile progresses from sweet tobacco and cedar to buttered popcorn, then creamy coffee and cashews, characterized by a smooth retrohale and a creamy coffee aftertaste.

—–V. RECOMMENDATIONS/CONCLUSIONS:

  • PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: Optimal for consumption with coffee in a morning setting.

  • RE-ASSESSMENT PROBABILITY: Positive. Recommendation for purchase of a 5-pack.

  • TOTAL SCORE: 89/100

FINAL OBSERVATIONS: The Gold Star cigar is deemed a pleasant morning product, harmonizing well with coffee for a creamy, nutty profile. Its smooth transitions and notable presentation are observed as a fitting tribute to the Navy Seals.

—–END OF REPORT

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