Cigar Reviewed: Diesel Diesel

Smoked at: Minnesota

Being a cigar from the new breed of "IPA" brands with a bad-attitude aesthetic, I came into this smoke anticipating an assault on the senses — with plumes of deep smoke filled with pepper and spice. Accordingly, I paired it with a Bell's Hop Slam known for its excessively overloaded hop recipe tamed by assertive honey balancing. It proved to be an ideal tag-team.

By the third or fourth draw, it became apparent that this blend was certainly bold, but more carefully balanced than I'd anticipated. Pepper is less the dominant overtone than leather and even a creamy vanilla. Like the Bell's, the heavy foundation is counterbalanced by an earthy sweetness that melds nicely. The construction and char line are very nice and the ash is heavy and white with small black flakes.

The Diesel slides into a comfortable cruise control through the middle third, with something like strong chai tea peeking through the ample smoke. I was prepared to be sipping more, but found myself enjoying the residual taste lingering behind the sultry gray smoke.

Aside from a single, minor touch-up on a finger of wrapper that was lagging behind, the burn was nearly perfect. Not the slowest cigar, but she trucked along at a respectably casual pace. A leisurely commitment, but no slog.

The spice picks up a bit in the last third, the creamier notes relenting, but the pulls remain cool on the tongue and enjoyable down to the torpedo taper.

Much more of a joyride than the mud run I'd expected, this is a tour I look forward to taking again.