Overall, I felt the Punch Diablo Scamp was fairly average. For people that are a fan of AJ and like darker, fuller strength cigars, they may find an enjoyable experience. When I'm in the mood for something dark and fuller strength, I'd prefer something with a better flavor profile, so this cigar probably isn't something I'd return to with any frequency.
It shows tons of sweetness and spice. You are getting those noticeable oaky flavors along with those sweet Sherry flavors. The Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask Robusto is enjoyable on it's own, but I think it was meant to be smoked with some bourbon.
The Diesel Hair of the Dog Toro is by no means a bad cigar, but I wish they had continued with the bourbon barrel aged/sherry cask theme of their first and latest cigars. It would have been cool to have some of that tobacco in the filler with the Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. Overall, a decent flavor profile that lacked some complexity and transitioning from start to finish.
The Hoyo de Monterrey HOYO La Amistad Black Rothschild is unbalanced and dominated by almost overwhelming pepper, until the final third where it's dominated by almost overwhelming earth. I don't have the requisite tobacco experience to determine whether the issue is with the tobacco, or the blending, but my experience tells me that the tobacco wasn't ready when the cigar was produced.
Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask is a cigar with epic depth and sublime flavor. Developed by Justin Andrews, blended by AJ Fernandez and handcrafted at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Esteli, Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask features Nicaraguan-aged tobaccos cultivated on three continents.
The AJ Fernandez New World Cameroon Double Robusto brought more strength than I was expecting, but the fullness of flavor kept up. I felt like it was a prototypical AJ blend, really didn't showcase Cameroon at all and probably not something I'm eager to revisit.
After the first third, the Montecristo Nicaragua Series Toro just became average and isn't something I'd search after. It's a cigar that might do well as the flavor and strength are what most smokers could enjoy, but I prefer a bit more complexity and enjoyment. Price is a bit high, but I'd say try one out and see what you think.
In the end, the Ramon Allones by AJ Fernandez Toro didn't seem like much of a departure from other AJ blends and I felt like I was smoking a cigar that was fairly close to some of his other offerings. The cigar is fine, but with the increased price point, I'm not sure it is something I would gravitate towards if I'm looking for something in his normal flavor profile.
The flavor profile of the Diesel Whiskey Row Robusto is very much in line with the profile that would compliment pairing with a whiskey or bourbon. The strength level isn't much more than medium, so someone wouldn't be overpowered by it and it wouldn't overpower the spirit. I could see this cigar doing well with the casual smoker/spirit enthusiast.
Altadis U.S.A. is expanding its offering within the H. Upmann Nicaragua by AJ Fernandez line — a new Belicoso box-press size. The brand’s fourth size in the line.
