Posted by Daz Herring on 8th Sep 2016
Cigar Review #2 - Cuban Diplomat
Cigar Review #2 – Cuban Diplomat
The Smoking Gun Cigar Review, September 2, 2016 Cuban Diplomat
Toro – (6 x 52)
This is my second review of a Cigar King exclusive. I have recently started going there and am really enjoying the humidor, lounge and their exclusive brands. They have some I’ve not yet tried, so look for more reviews soon.
A little history: The original Cuban Diplomat was introduced in 2003 with great success. I’m not sure why it left the market, but I’m very happy Mitchel Hirsh, of Cigar King, and the legendary Don Pepin Garcia re-released it. The cigar is made at the Cubanacan factory in Nicaragua, from a crop that has been aged for six years. If that’s not old enough for you, its also aged another year at Cigar King’s humidified aging room, in Arizona, before its sold. I’m not sure if you can, but if you get a chance, stop by Cigar King, located at 7830 E Gelding Dr #100, Scottsdale, AZ and ask for a tour.
I did ask and get a tour, and the storage facility made my mouth water. There were cigars as far as the eye could see. They really do have the best selection of cigars in Arizona, and possibly the entire Southwest. Not only can you stop in the store, but everything in the brick and mortar can be purchased online.
Just a quick note: the information I put in these reviews (about blends, factories and such), is from conversations I’ve had with tobacconists, owners of brands and from internet research. I may, on occasion (not that I would ever admit it) be misinformed. If you want to know where a cigar is made or what the exact blend happens to be, look it up or ask a tobacconists or cigar rep. If I do put something down wrong in my reviews, let me know. I’ll fix it and give you credit. We’re all in this together!
As in the first review, I’ll list the questions I always want to ask and give an answer for each based on my personal smoking experience:
What are you smoking?
Cuban Diplomat – Toro (6 X 52)
Who makes it?
It’s made exclusively for Cigar King.
Where’s it from?
It’s made in Nicaragua at the Cubanacan Factory.
What other sizes are available?
I believe the only size available is a Toro (6 X 52)., but I’ll check.
How much does it cost?
The Cigar King website has it priced at $59.95 for a five pack or $199.95 for a box of 20. I
think my two individual sticks cost around $10.00 each.
How well is it constructed?
This cigar has a beautiful appearance. The wrapper is a dark mahogany color. It is oily and shows only small veins. The cap has the traditional three lines. The foot is unfinished and a little shaggy, but didn’t spark up when it was lit. It looks more Cuban than some Cubans.
What’s the blend (or, at least, the wrapper)?
The blend is three year aged Nicaraguan tobacco, grown in Esteli and Jalapa (two of the best tobacco producing areas in Nicaragua). The binder is a five year aged Ecuadorian Habano and the wrapper is Ecuadorian Habano Maduro.
How did it light?
It was a perfect light, from the start. Even with the “shaggy foot,” I didn’t experience any fly-away sparks that are common with that kind of construction.
Some education for you on construction: cigars are typically constructed with one of four finishes- open (or flush-cut), closed, perfecto and “shaggy foot.” If a cigar is open, it has been trimmed and cut off even all the way around. This is what you’ll see on most cigars. A closed foot means the entire cigar is finished and the wrapper goes all the way around the cigar. There are no openings, only wrapper. A perfecto is tapered and can have either a little (pardon the term) nipple on the end, or it can be cut flush as the cigar is getting to its smallest ring gauge. And then there’s the “shaggy foot” of the Cuban Diplomat.
A “shaggy foot” means the loose ends of the wrapper extend past the foot of the cigar, which gives it a more rustic and unfinished appearance. Actually, the Cuban Diplomat style of foot is not called a “shaggy foot.” I really don’t know what else to call it. A true shaggy foot has the filler tobacco extending, sometimes an inch, past the wrapper. This gives the cigar the look of a small whisk broom and makes it a challenge to light. But, it will give you the opportunity to taste the filler during the first few minutes of smoking, without tasting the binder or wrapper. Its an interesting experience.
How’s the draw?
The draw was perfect. It was a little on the firm side, but I like that. (I don’t want to feel like I’m smoking through a garden hose.) It was a pleasure to smoke.
How does it burn?
My two examples had a perfectly even burn throughout the smoking experience. I never had to relight or fix even the smallest burn issue.
Is there a predominate flavor/taste?
As I have said before; I like the smell of a barn (wet hay and alfalfa) in my cigars. The Cuban Diplomat didn’t disappoint. I did get a little cedar smell as well, which to me is always good in a cigar. I did pick up the cedar again when I smoked it, but it was light; you might not taste it. There was a nice nutty flavor and some mild peppery notes.
Did it change as you smoked it?
It definitely produced more flavor as I smoked through it. There was a notable difference when I reached the second third and it was even more flavorful in the last third.
How would you describe its strength: mild, medium, or strong?
I would classify it as a solid medium. It did, however, get stronger with each third. That is something I like. If a cigar doesn’t change as you smoke it, you must be smoking a sub- par stick. In well-made, premium cigars, most people will notice a change in flavor (and often strength) as they smoke through each third of the cigar.
Would you smoke it again?
Yes. Definitely! It will be added to my list of favorite “go-to” cigars.
Should I try it?
If you haven’t, you should. It reminded me, so much, of some Cubans I’ve smoked. I imagined sitting on a tropical beach and drinking a rum-based adult beverage, with the trade-winds breeze blowing through my hair. (Actually, I was sitting on my porch, in hot and dry Arizona, drinking a beer, and I don’t really have that much hair to be blown…but, I can dream!)
Do you have an extra that you’ll give me?
No. If I did, I’d send it to you, because I think you’d like it. But, then you’d have to send me something in return! I’d never get anything done, because I’d be smoking cigars all day! If you want to try one you can stop by Cigar King, in Phoenix, AZ, or you can order them online at http://www.cigarking.com.
Conclusion:
I have been visiting Cigar King for a while now and I can honestly say, their selection is outstanding. Now that I have started trying some of the exclusive brands they carry, I am even more impressed.
The Cuban Diplomat is reminiscent of old world Cuban mastery of the crafts of growing, blending and rolling cigars. Now, I know some of you might be asking, “How do you know what Cuban cigars taste like? We can’t buy them. That’s not legal!” I’ve traveled all over the world and lived in the United Kingdom for several years. I’ve smoked many Cuban cigars. I can tell you this: They’re not the platinum standard in today’s market. They are just another taste profile. I’ve had good Cubans and I’ve had bad Cubans. Sometimes, that’s what you get. I do know, from my limited experience (that will be changing, soon), Cigar King’s Cuban Diplomat is a winner and a fantastic smoke.
So, that about sums it up. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me through this page. I’m always happy to answer questions or tell you about what I’ve been smoking. Also, if you liked, appreciated or hated my review, let me know. I want to be a resource for the everyday cigar smoker. You don’t have to be an expert, you just need an hour or so to enjoy a good cigar.
And, remember: don’t let other people tell you what to smoke. If you like it, smoke it!