Principle Gold Band Prelight
Principle Cigars was founded in 2013 by Cigar Smoking World Champion and illustrious paper collector Darren Cioffi. Cioffi partnered with Hendrik Kelner Jr., the son of Hendrik “Henke” Kelner, to create what we now know as Principle Cigars.
The Gold Band is an ever-changing series of blends that wouldn’t fit under the umbrella of Principle’s Aviator Series. The core blend is an Ecuadorian Corojo wrapper, Dominican Cotui binder, and filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. The Gold Band comes in one vitola, which Principle calls the ‘Toro Especial’ measuring 6″ x 50. The Gold Band gets rolled at the Kelner Boutique Factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
The wrapper is smooth, slightly oily, and cinnamon brown with some small pronounced veins. The branding on the label reminds me very much of the font from the classic film Metropolis. The aromas are of chocolate and honey. The draw is right on the money, with notes of sweet natural tobacco and more honey.
Principle Gold Band First Third
The Principle Gold Band is off to a sweet and mild start. On the palate, we have notes of cornflakes, coffee beans, and moist earth. The retrohale shows milk chocolate, honey, cedar, clove, and cinnamon notes. Smoke output is right at medium. The flavors are in the mild to medium range. Ash, burn, and construction are all great so far. The finish is soft with notes of cornflake and clove.
Principle Gold Band Second Third
We have some fresh flavors that make an appearance in the second third. Oak, raisin, and moist earth on the palate. A slightly darker chocolate, espresso, brown sugar, and clove on the retrohale. Smoke output remains at medium. The strength of flavor is picking up slightly to medium. Ash, burn, and construction remain great. The finish is soft with notes of brown sugar and clove.
Principle Gold Band Final Third
Another drastic transition here in the final third. Cedar, oak, crackers, and a touch of leather on the palate. On the retrohale, citrus zest, cedar, dark chocolate, and clove. Smoke output remains at medium. The strength of flavor is staying right at medium as well. The burn line got slightly wavy, but the construction and ash have been fantastic. The finish ticks up to medium with notes of citrus and clove. Past the band, the flavor profile leaned towards wood and dark chocolate. I smoked the Gold Band to about an inch left.
Principle Gold Band Conclusions
I can’t recall the last time I smoked a cigar with as many distinct transitions as the Principle Gold Band. Some core flavors remained, but most secondary and tertiary flavors danced in and out of the mix for the duration of the smoking experience. While I would have loved to see the body crescendo to the medium-full full mark at some point, the transitions were exciting enough to keep me locked in for every puff. What’s most impressive about the Gold Band is that each third of the cigar was different but equally delicious to my palate. If you’re looking for interesting flavors and exciting transitions, you’ll have a great time with Principle’s Gold Band.
