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Diamond Crown Maximus Robusto 5 x 50
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Reviews
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Date product posted
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0
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554
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Tue October 2, 2007
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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No recommendations
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None indicated
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None indicated
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Description:
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Manufactured: Dominican Republic (Fuente Factory)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian "El Bajo" Sun-Grown (Oliva Sourced)
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
MSRP: $9.50-11.00 (Box Discounts Available)
The Diamond Crown Maximus was commissioned by the Newman family to break into the super-premium market. The line is blended by Carlos Fuente, Jr & rolled in the Fuente factory(s)
This is my first DCM; purchased in June 2007, been acclimating in my aging humidor since then. It has a very dark and somewhat rough appearing wrapper, more brown-red than a VSG, almost looks maduro, but it isn't toasted like a maduro, so won't taste as sweet without the starch-to-sugar conversion that maduros can undergo. The wrapper doesn't feel rough to the touch or the lips, though. The band is fantastic, a bit circus-like, but fun to look at closely....I think if the Cuban industry would spend a bit more on bands, they could stay ahead of the counterfeit industry...although tradition dictates those particular styles. Like a "painted woman", I'm always leery of a pretty costume in the guise of a fancy band (note Tatuajes wonderfully simple banding!)
Pre-Light:
Overall good construction, although the cap is applied a bit oddly. Took a very short guillotine clip, only exposing about half the diameter of the cap, and pre-draw pull was spot-on.
Very light aroma of aged tobacco with mild coffee notes coming from the foot before toasting.
Ignition:
Toasted the foot lightly, inhaling the light, curling wisps with my nose...so far, so good, as I detect just a hint of sweetness mixed with a solid, but light, aged tobacco smell.
It's a foggy night, so it takes awhile to toast, holding the flame about 5mm from actually touching. Before inhaling at cap end, the flame finally leaped to the foot, and a wonderful orange glow started at the wrapper..time to inhale lightly, rotating slowly. It lights evenly, and draws well...just enough resistance to let the leaf fully ignite. I'm a bit worried as I withdraw the soft Dunhill Rollagas flame, as the center is still dark as I blow on the foot...is it wet? Wouldn't think so stored at 65 RH for 3+months.
1st Third:
No need to worry, the orange glow proceeds inwards after 2-3 gentle pulls, filling my mouth with a very light wood smoke, no green or vegetal notes yet, just mild cedar & tobacco..milder than many I'm smoking now, but rich & true flavors. After the foot burns about 1/2", I decide this may be a candidate for nasal exhalation. Wait about 30 seconds, take a nice steady pull & get a cool mouthful of smoke; exhale gently through nose & am surprised at the caramel & butterscotch tastes the linger after...no burning, as I've experienced with some other sticks I've nasally exhaled!
Then the creamy texture in my mouth appears...very nice, bot a coated feeling, just like a whole-milk latte. The smoke volume is just right, enough to taste, but not overwhelming or hot. The ash is holding well, tight, nice light grey to silver white.
2nd Third:
As the first 1 1/2" is done, the flavor through my nose changes a bit (still medium strength on the tongue, though).
I detect more spice, cardamom/cloves/cinnamon, very pleasant. The finish is smooth, no "cigary" taste in mouth, just a nice, complex creaminess that lingers but doesn't coat. I'm pulling once every 30-45 seconds, and the burn is even & constant. To test the response, I puff a bit (to see if ash breaks or taste changes). The ash holds firm, the smoke gets a bit warmer, but no harshness...through the nose at the end of 6-8 puffs, it's a bit stronger, but no unpleasant notes detected.
Final Third:
Still holding true....ash firm, burn even, just a hint of white pepper through nose. I take it down to less than an inch, but it's 11:30pm and I don't feel like finger-roaching this pleasant smoke (although it was cool all this way, and probably had another 10 minutes left). Time: about 65 minutes, perfect robusto time.
Overall:
This is a medium-strength smoke with a nice clean finish...didn't feel the NEED to brush & rinse before bed as I normally do after a late-night smoke (although I did my normal brushing before bed!). A nice change, very satisfying. Will it replace a VSG or some Tatuaje vitolas for me..no. But it is a great new find, and I intend on acquiring a few and saving them for a change-up once in awhile. This isn't one to smoke without paying attention, though...it'll reward you if you look for the subtleties that medium-strength cigars show if you look for them!
Rating: 4.5/6 Smoke Rings (a good cigar, price is justified)
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Keywords:
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Diamond Crown Maximus Robusto Carlito Newman Medium
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