Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is dark brown and has a couple of slightly raised veins present. The seams are very well blended and barely visible. The head is finished off with a double cap where the top cap seems a bit duller than the rest of the wrapper. There is a lone foot band in blue that has the Diesel name on it. Aroma from the wrapper is damp earth and leather while the foot brings leather and white pepper. The pre-light draw is very light with sweet hay, leather and a very mild white pepper.

Pre-light Experience

The Diesel Grind Robusto sports a Colorado Maduro wrapper shade. Veins are well pressed, seams tight, bunch and roll uniform and head topped off with a well adhered double cap. Aromas off the wrapper give cedar and hay. Aromas from the foot tells white pepper, cedar and hay. Cold draw gives hay, cedar and light white pepper.

First Third

As the cigar begins, it brings heavy, dark wood, some black pepper and a bit of stone fruit sweetness. At a quarter inch in, the wood isn’t quite as heavy, but the rest of the components are the same other than the pepper which has increased a bit. At three quarters of an inch in, the profile smooths out a bit as a slight cream joins the mix and mellows the pepper while the sweetness drops out. The retrohale carries a more defined oak flavor that has a slight char. As the third comes to a close, the wood is now more defined as oak with a slight char and the cream and pepper are at equal levels in the background. The strength in this third was medium-full.

First Third

The first third creates a dryer profile with notes centered around hay, dry cardboard/paper, generic dry wood, hay and a very faint black pepper. Retrohaling gives a slight bump in black pepper and mixed nuts. The finish is an underlying generic dry wood. Strength and body is medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the charred oak is up front with some cream in the background and the black pepper really riding out the finish. At a half inch in, the charred oak gains a slight dampness to it. At three quarters of an inch in, the dampness goes away and the retrohale gains a slightly dry earthiness to go along with the charred oak. At an inch and a quarter, the char picks up a bit as the pepper is now pretty faint. As the third comes to a close, the char builds up a little more which brings a little bitterness and the cream increases as well. The strength in this third remained at medium-full.

Second Third

The second third while still maintaining the same core set of flavors as the first third also picks up a semi-sweet creaminess. But the overall profile is medium and medium with dry cardboard/paper, generic dry wood and subtle black pepper.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the charred and bitter wood is up front with the cream slightly behind it. The pepper is completely gone from the profile. At a half inch in, the cream fades way back and the charred and bitter oak is what dominates the profile. The cigar wraps up with this same profile the rest of the way. The strength in this third remained at medium-full.

Final Third

The last third gives a much needed increase in spice. The black pepper isn’t quite full as I’d like it to be, but an improvement over the first two thirds. Minerals also show up, which opens up the array of flavors. Other than that, the profile still has an underlying cardboard/paper and dry wood notes. Strength and body finishes medium.

Burn

The burn was slightly wavy but never needed any attention. The ash held on in inch and a quarter increments.

Burn

Burn was perfect. Cool burn, even burn line, slow and steady burn rate and tight ashes.

Draw

The draw had just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

The cigar started out with a good amount of strength and a full set of flavors of heavy and dark wood along with black pepper and some sweetness. As things went along some cream joined in as the sweetness dropped out. As things progressed it was primarily the charred oak and cream the rest of the way and ended with a fair amount of bitterness. The price point is very attractive, so if you like the heavy flavors and strength it might be right up your alley. For me, this was a bit too dark and heavy for the sake of being dark and heavy, but I can see how others would really enjoy it. I might be up for one of these from time to time.

Draw

Draw was also perfect. The ideal air flow.

Overall

This was an average tasting experience for me. The underlying generic dry wood and cardboard/paper note was a bit monotonous. The best part was the final third where some spice and minerals came into focus. If you are a fan of AJ’s blending style this is a no brainer to pick up especially at such a great attractive $6 price point. As for me, I will look towards other AJ offerings.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.65

Cost/Point

$1.06

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

6.10

Cost/Point

$0.98

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: Diesel Grind Robusto