> ArticleThe 1502 Black Gold Corona is a new vitola addition to the existing Black Gold line from Global Premium Cigars. This cigar is produced at the Plasencia factory in Nicaragua and features a Mexican San Andres maduro wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and filler. The corona size presents a 42 ring gauge and measures 5.5 inches in length, offering a compact yet robust smoking experience.
The 1502 Black Gold Corona utilizes a dark Mexican San Andres maduro wrapper that gives the cigar its distinctive appearance. The binder is Nicaraguan, and the filler is also composed of Nicaraguan tobacco. The cigar features a box-pressed format, which makes the 42 ring gauge feel even smaller. Construction is solid with tight seams, minimal veins, and a firm pack. The foot is finished with a "cigar lock" design where the wrapper partially covers the foot.
The initial third of the 1502 Black Gold Corona delivers notes of sweet earth, baking spice, cocoa, oak, and freshly ground coffee. A noticeable black pepper emerges on the retrohale while the actual draw remains smooth. The second third sees the pepper intensity increase while the sweetness diminishes slightly. Earth, cocoa, oak, and coffee continue as supporting flavors. The final third maintains this profile with pepper and earth as the dominant notes, accompanied by background cocoa, oak, and coffee. The cigar remains smooth throughout, though a slight harshness may appear in the very last puffs.
The 1502 Black Gold Corona demonstrates excellent construction with a consistent burn that requires minimal maintenance. The draw is firm but provides ample smoke production. The ash holds firmly, typically reaching about an inch before falling. Smoking time averages approximately one hour and thirty minutes for this corona size.
This cigar presents a medium-full body with matching strength. The intensity builds gradually throughout the smoking experience, starting at medium and progressing to medium-full by the final third. The balance between strength and flavor allows for a robust yet enjoyable smoke.
The 1502 Black Gold Corona offers a satisfying smoking experience with consistent flavor development and reliable construction. The box-pressed format makes for a comfortable hold, and the smaller ring gauge concentrates the flavor profile effectively. While the earthiness might be pronounced at times, the overall balance of flavors makes this an enjoyable cigar. I would consider purchasing this vitola again, particularly for shorter smoking sessions.
The Black Gold line now includes six vitolas: Toro (6x50), Torpedo (6x50), Perfecto (6.125x50), Conquistador (6x56), Corona (5.5x42), and Lancero (7x40). The Corona size was released in February 2015 as a regular production item. Global Premium Cigars is distributed by House of Emilio in the United States.