I was excited for this release the moment it was unveiled at PCA. As soon as it became available, I placed an order. An Ecuadorian Habano wrapper is almost always a good sign for me, and it’s one of my favorite wrappers on a cigar. 

Right out of the box, the presentation is outstanding. The Golden Hour is a beautiful cigar with eye catching bands and a clean, elegant appearance. I smoked the Bonito which is their Toro size and chose a V-cut.

The first draw immediately reminded me of a Padron 1964. It was effortless with plenty of smoke output. While some might consider that a sign the cigar is packed a little loose, it never became hot or burned too quickly. Instead, it delivered excellent flavor from start to finish with a razor straight burn.

The profile opens with cedar and a light natural sweetness, followed by subtle coffee notes and a touch of pepper. Paired with an espresso, the combination was excellent. As the cigar developed, the flavors became richer without losing balance. The retrohale was exceptionally smooth, bringing baking spices with very little bite.

Although it’s marketed as medium to full-bodied, I found it leaned closer to full strength. It delivered a satisfying nicotine kick while remaining refined and easy to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

The San Cristobal Golden Hour exceeded my expectations. It’s balanced, flavorful, well constructed, and smoked flawlessly. At around $12, I think it delivers exceptional value and punches well above its price point.

Rating 8.9/10

This is one I’ll definitely be keeping in the humidor, and it’s an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys rich, balanced Nicaraguan cigars with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.

San Cristobal Golden Hour Review by Cigar Grail