Meaning “Golden Sun” in Slovenian, the Jas Sum Kral Zlatno Sonce is today’s look at a cigar that totally outkicks its coverage…or outperforms its price tag, if you like the sound of that better. The company’s website says the filler and binder are “undisclosed,” although I’m going to guess at least a little of it’s Nicaraguan since I believe that’s where all JSK’s cigars are made…and I’ve had a couple of them before this review sample and they totally performed and tasted Nicaraguan or at least Nica-heavy. The wrapper leaf is Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade and it is said to be stronger and more full-bodied than a typical Shade-wrapped cigar.
This band design is seen on a couple of their other cigars, but the white and gold foil seen on the Zlatno Sonce is my favorite iteration of it. The wrapper leaf is not an immaculate Conny…and for the price tag (about $4.50 for a Robusto), you probably shouldn’t expect it to be perfect in looks. It did feel somewhat papery and dry under my fingertips, but that’s also typical of this varietal. The aroma from the wrapper was sweet, buttery, and grassy, while the foot had notes of chocolate up front, with earth and cedar weighing in, as well.
The cold draw was excellent and featured layers of sweetness and pepper spice, as well as a little cedar. When I fired it up, I noted somewhat typical Connecticut Shade notes of smooth sweetness and fresh hay, but there was also a good amount of body right from the start, along with citrus and pepper spice. It gave a very nice start to a cigar I already knew was going to be excellent.
And really, that’s what this cigar is…excellent. It is probably too full-bodied and strong for people who truly only like mild cigars, but folks that want the smooth sweetness of a Connecticut Shade wrapper along with something that kicks just a little bit, this is it. I’ll be buying more!
