Cigar Review: Diesel Unholy Cocktail
Posted by Toasted on Feb 26, 2010 in Reviews | 19 comments
Size: 5×56, Torpedo
Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaraguan (Jalapa, Condega, and Esteli)
Strength: Medium to Full
Price: Box of 30, $99.95
Grade: 9.3
The Diesel Unholy Cocktail is the latest creation from young masterblender Abdel “AJ” Fernandez. AJ already has an incredible, and growing, list of cigars to his credit, including the Man O’ War, A. Fernandez, Rocky Patel’s Fusion, Signature and ITC 10th Anniversary, the Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet and Artisan, and the Padilla Habano among others. After years of training from Don Alejandro Robaina in Cuba, he moved to Nicaragua and quickly began making a name for himself. AJ is currently harvesting 40,000 pounds of Nicaraguan Habano-seed leaves that he’ll use for his many blends. AJ has seen a lot of growth in his days since leaving Cuba and he now oversees 100 rollers and over 1,000 employees.
The Diesel has received some great praise since its release in 2009 and we’ve been looking forward to reviewing this one. Currently it is available in only one size and is sold in boxes of 30. So, on to the toast!
Pre-light, 1.8:
The Unholy Cocktail was a mean looking smoke. It had a dark brown, toothy wrapper with a few veins here and there and was very rustic to the eye and touch. The band was on the foot and was very simple but fit the smoke well. The cigar was heavy, firm, and seemed to be well constructed from head to foot. The pre-light aroma was wet and earthy, similar to compost. There was a hint of sweet spice on the foot. The cold draw on the torpedo produced a burst of spice on the back of the throat.
Burn, 1.7:
The Diesel lit and toasted well and had an excellent draw, a little tight, but nothing out of line. The burn line was really nice and the pepper ash layered nicely. The ash held extremely well, way past one inch, before I let it go; the knock revealed a nice glowing cone in the filler. The stick produced a ton of smoke and this continued throughout with a very nice temperature. The burn was even for the most part – it got a little off here and there but always corrected itself. The draw opened up into the second third and finished out very nicely.
Flavor, 2.8:
The first third of this cigar created by A.J. Fernandez was earthy, but clean, with a nice finish. I picked up notes of berry, some sweet spice, and a really nice texture as well. In the second third the spice seemed to pick up on the finish, but the earthiness was still there as a base and was very pleasing to the palate. The last part of this smoke produced some woody or nutty notes, very smooth, with spice still very present, especially on the finish.
Overall, 3.0:
At $3.33 a stick, the Diesel gets a perfect score in the overall section. The construction and burn were good and the flavor was excellent. I will be honest, I approached this cigar with a good bit of skepticism because of the price point and the buzz surrounding it, but it earned every bit of the praise. I plan on sticking this smoke in my regular rotation; the flavor profile was really intriguing and again, with that price point, what’s not to love?
(Total: 9.3)
Question of the Day: It’s Friday! What do you have planned for the weekend?
19 comments
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- Cigar Review of the A Fernandez Signature Series | Toasted Foot | Cigar Reviews - [...] detailed the impressive resume of AJ Fernandez a while back on our review of his Diesel (here). The short ...
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Great review on a great cigar!
This one is in my regular rotation and I will purchase another box once this one is gone. The price point is phenomenal!
This weekend I start 11 straight days off from work so cigars and relaxation will be the plan for this weekend and the week to follow.
I have a few on order and hope to get them tomorrow. Going to see the Pietasters with the wife tonight(date night), and work all day tomorrow… Then Sunday with the fam.
Another great review! The Diesels are great, especially for the price.
This weekend, I am planning on doing absolutely nothing, except light up that is.
THANK YOU! I have been a’waiting a good review of this. Marketing-wise, they got it down: GREAT name/band/look. Nice that they have the pepper to back it up.
This weekend? Hmm…. I think I have a church luncheon.
Excellent review!
This weekend I plan on celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim by smoking my first one of these bad boys!
gotta find these at the B&M.
as for the weekend? Work & church. my weekend (when it gets here) chillin’ w/the wife.
thanks for the great review. i think i shall try one this weekend.
Well, I am broadcasting a basketball game on the radio tonight, then hanging with the wife and kid tomorrow. Worshipping Jesus Christ all weekend and going to his house Sunday.
Thanks for the review! I love the Diesel!
I was supposed to attend an Ashton event tonight but a snowstorm has ruined those plans. Tomorrow I’m attending a charity herf. Sunday I’m going to Mass & picking up my parents at the airport.
Completed yet another long run! Tomorrow: rest.
Dinner with the extended family.
Working on keeping my wife and her friends happy as it is her and Marjo’s birthday. Cause when she’s happy so am I.
Putting damn Ikea furniture together for my wife’s work and watching the Sprint Cup Race as well as the US/Canada Hockey game.
God I’ve been desperately wanting to try one of these. Apparently that weekend, I was repairing my computer. Which I have been doing daily for several weeks. Numerous Vista reinstalls, several virus huntings, and a defective service pack. Joy and happiness wash over me. /sarc
I’m sitting down to smoke one of these right now and man, you’re right, the Diesel just looks aggressive! Having smoked a few of these so far I know I’m in for a treat.
Great Review!
Great review…ordered a box of these this week and am anxiously awaiting their arrival here in Iraq for our next HERF.!
Cheers,
R
I’ve heard of these cigars and read numerous reviews, but it’s sounded too strong – maybe that’s the hype or the sheer look of this cigar. Read your review, and you’ve perked my interest again to try this cigar. Thanks!
Ok, I just got my hands on one of these cigars this past weekend. I’m looking forward to trying it after its rested in my humidor for at least a few days.
Just had my first Diesel Torpedo Maduro… WoW! totally surprised @ the taste. nice pepper tingle, and tastey spice & earthy notes through out.. what a good bargain smoke.. good to have in your Humidor for a friend, or something different. ! long ashes my friends!