Penn Standard Gold Standard

Gold Standard is a fantastic addition to the original Penn Standard PA Broadleaf series, and then some. Gold Standard is a bold name.... but walks the walk. If you like Connecticut shade but also like some character and oomph in your cigars - more medium-bodied than mild - this blend will impress. Hailing from Raymond Pages and his Tabacalera Pages factory, Penn Standard Gold is draped in a grade-A Connecticut Ecuador wrapper and it is positively gorgeous. Seamless and beautiful with a golden color, slightly oily sheen, and attractive toothiness. A roll between the thumb and forefinger tells you this lovely stick is going to be a treat.

Light it up and you have excellent combustion and smooth draw, and a firm white ash that holds for a solid inch plus. Off the bat there are pronounced floral notes and undertones of bread and toast with an almost latte-like flavor. Then spice becomes more prominent along with notes of ginger, earth, and cream of wheat. By the midway point the spice remains but there's an added salty component and the complexity starts to show itself, as the flavor and strength continues building. By the final third there are soft notes of cedar which marry well with the spice and floral component. Overall, Gold Standard is more on the medium side of mild-medium in strength, yet stays very very smooth and well-balanced throughout.  

In addition to the Connecticut seed Ecuador wrapper, the long filler blend includes five-year aged Pennsylvania and Nicaraguan tobaccos. An exceptional choice for those that don't want a full-bodied powerhouse in strength but don't want to sacrifice rich and complex flavors.

Our staff compares Gold Standard favorably to Charter Oak Connecticut, AJ Fernandez San Lotano Connecticut, Oliva Connecticut Reserve, Joya de Nicaragua Antano Connecticut, and My Father Connecticut.

More from Tabacalera Pages: Florida Man, Pirate's Gold, Hoofty, Megilla