1502 Black Gold Conquistador
Posted on March 19 2021
Vitola: 6x56 BP | Smoking Time: 72 min | Cigars Smoked: 3 | Body: Full | MSRP: $9.96
Wrapper/Binder/Filler: Nicaraguan puro
1502 is owned by Global Premium Cigars — named after the year Columbus "discovered" Nicaragua and the riches of the land. The Black Gold is their full-bodied flagship.
Visual Inspection: Nice box press, semi-closed foot, clean rustic brown Nicaraguan wrapper with spiderweb veins and tidy seams. Cold draw: honey, roses, vanilla. Foot aroma: hot cocoa.
First Third: Very sweet to start — oak, vanilla, honey, cinnamon with lingering walnut. Light body, lacking depth initially, but smooth and leaving room to develop. Hint of pepper on the retrohale with barnyard and dry hay sub-flavors.
Second Third: Smooth profile deepens into medium+. Cream arrives on the finish, tying together the honey and vanilla sweetness. Crackers, cinnamon candy, and allspice appear. Pepper comes more regularly on the retrohale.
Final Third: Now definitively full-bodied, comparable to a Plasencia Alma Fuerte. The hot cocoa from the cold draw finally arrives, complimented by cinnamon and cream, then espresso, charred oak, and earth.
Final Thoughts: A true rollercoaster — starting very mild and ending as a powerhouse. The Black Gold is not a beginner’s stick. Not something I’d hand to a friend unless they could handle it. Box-worthy at this price point.
-Sam
Frequently asked questions
Why does the 1502 Black Gold start mild and finish full?
The dramatic strength progression is a hallmark of the Black Gold blend — the Nicaraguan filler reveals more of its ligero content as the cigar heats up through each third. The reviewer finds this thrilling rather than frustrating.
Is 1502 a reputable brand?
Yes. 1502 is owned by Global Premium Cigars and focuses on premium offerings. The Black Gold is their flagship — Nicaraguan tobacco throughout, delivering above-average quality at under $10.
Is the 1502 Black Gold good for beginners?
No. The full-body finish and dramatic strength escalation make this a cigar for experienced smokers only. Beginners should start with something milder before working up to the Black Gold’s intensity.