Wrapper: Connecticut Sungrown
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Vitola: Emerald (4 ½ x 54)
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Production: Regular
Purchase Link: Black Diamond
BLACK DIAMOND REVIEW - OREGON
Summary: This short-ish, firmly packed cigar is wrapped with a mottled brown leaf that reminds me of beef jerky. Fittingly, behind some cocoa and tobacco notes, a bit of hickory scent is what I find on the wrapper. A deep whiff of the foot combines raisin notes and a little BBQ as well....A1 steak sauce! The cold draw resistance is spot on and the flavors of raisin and dry hay finish quickly leaving behind a touch of sweetness.
Flame to foot and a few quick puffs...I’m drawn in immediately by complexity in flavors and the impressed by the massive smoke output. The profile is built with cocoa, coffee, barbecue, dry oak and a little bite in the back of the throat like some tangy BBQ sauce. A hint of sweetness hangs out in the back of the profile and transfers well into the retro hale as well. Black pepper also makes itself known. The burn is a bit wavy but with the flavors present thus far, I really don’t care that much. The ash is solid and not too far into the stick I’m sensing the change from black pepper to wasabi. Towards the last part of the cigar, heavier grilled meat flavors are joined by tobacco and mild spice. Lost is some of the complexity, but it is still enjoyable.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: If you like this then you probably hang around the meat and cheese tray on football Sundays.
Pairing Suggestion: Pair this with a Bloody Mary. The natural spiciness of the cigar would pair just perfectly with the smooth heat of this drink.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: For me, this is box worthy. In fact, I can;t wait for the reveal on this one. Shut up and take my money! The profile is smack dab in my wheelhouse.
BLACK DIAMOND REVIEW - CALIFORNIA
Summary: Pepper freakin bomb. I can barely retro hale this thing it’s so strong. Damp wood and pepper is all I can taste at the moment.
Powered through the first third and not much has changed with the exception of a faint anise and brown sugar sweetness. Had to relight it but I’ll take the blame since I set it down for five or so minutes.
Final third is giving me leather and, you guessed it, pepper. Burn has been steady up to this point but is starting to go sideways on me. Depending on what side you look at, I have either 1.5 or 2.5 inches left. Getting too hot to smoke now, so I’m calling it.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Food made with lots of curry. Not for me personally, but a large percentage of humans like it so what do I know.
Pairing Suggestion: Pair with a milk stout to combat the #PepperPower
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single. Might mellow out after some humidor time.
BLACK DIAMOND REVIEW - WISCONSIN
Summary: This cigar comes out of the gate with ample smoke tasting of chocolate, sweet earth, honey, and cereal grains. It’s like an earthy Cocoa Krispies. It’s smooth and well-balanced, with just a bit of spice joining on the finish near the end of the first third.
Oak and peanut can be found in the background, with nuts picking up throughout the cigar. The core flavors remain more or less constant throughout, which I won’t complain about at all - they go together well and taste delicious.
Coffee joins the profile in the final third. The cigar didn’t have major transitions, but its flavors were very enjoyable throughout.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Cocoa Krispies.
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee or a good stout.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Start with a fiver and see where it takes you. This would be a good cigar to always have on hand for its good, consistent flavors.
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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