General Cigar announced a new regular production line from Diesel this August, “Estelí Puro.” This cigar is blended entirely with tobacco from the Nicaraguan region of Estelí, hence the name.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
The wrapper comes from AJ Fernandez’s La Lilia farm, while the binder is from San José, and the fillers are from several plots including AJ’s San Lotano farm. It is of course blended by AJ Fernandez and rolled at his factory Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua. It was developed with General Cigar Brand Manager Justin Andrews. Diesel Estelí Puro comes in three vitolas in 20 count boxes: Robusto 5.25” x 54 $8.99, Toro 6” x 54 $9.49, Gigante 6” x 60 per cigar $9.99.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Robusto Length: 5″ Ring Gauge: 50 Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Nicaragua Binder: Nicaragua Filler: Nicaragua Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. Blender: AJ Fernandez Number of reviewers: 5 – Alan(Eulogy) Mickey T.(irratebass) James H.(Keikan Jim) John A.(Bostoneo) Ryan H.(Ryan H.) Price: $8.99 Age: 2 Months Release Date: September 2020 Contributed by: General Cigar
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 94
“This is a beautiful mottled brown robusto-sized cigar. Very light veins and nearly invisible seams along with an expertly applied triple cap lead to the excellent appearance of this cigar.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
Aroma: 92
“Very muddy chocolate coffee and a little manure, more in depth manure from the foot. If it taste half as good as it smells this will be a glowing review.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
First Third
Blind Cigar Review: Diesel | Esteli Puro Robusto
Flavor: 93 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“The draw is just a little too tight but the flavors are great. There’s a fair amount of heat right of the bat with red pepper and a slightly spicy baking note working together on the finish. Sweet tobacco, dry cedar, leather, and mineral all start to develop with a nice balance of sweet and savory.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“A strong first half inch kicks in after lighting up this cigar. Flavors of charred oak, burnt sugar, and a slight hint of vanilla usher in the starting impressions. The profile begins to mellow out into a more sustainable flavor, medium in body, as it becomes even more tastier and distinct with the mentioned flavor notes above as I end this third.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Second Third
Flavor: 93 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
Blind Cigar Review: Diesel | Esteli Puro Robusto
“There is not much of a shift in the flavor profile but what is there is truly amazing. Pecan wood and cedar notes mingle to make a great tasting cigar. A touch of earth sets it apart. This and the retro has mellowed out with a nice white pepper smoothness making this an easy cigar to sit back and enjoy.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“With an almost identical flavor profile as the first third, a repeat of oak, caramel, and a slight hint of vanilla keep rolling through this third. Construction and burn have been phenomenal so far as a greyish white ash continues to form through this third.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
Final Third
Flavor: 90 Strength: Medium-Strong Body/Complexity: Medium
“Virtually identical to the previous third with the exception of an added nuttiness. The draw is still a little too tight and there’s a savory aspect from the mineral note.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“The cigar’s flavor profile has stayed consistent, it has not wavered at all…..bread and lots of earth notes.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Overall Impressions
Blind Cigar Review: Diesel | Esteli Puro Robusto
Draw: 94
“Draw was nearly perfect throughout the whole experience. Wonderful draw.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Burn: 95
“Quite flawless burn, only one touch up required. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Construction: 95
“The wrapper, roll, shape, and large double cap were all perfect. I couldn’t feel any soft spots prelight and other then the slightly tight draw I have no complaints.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Overall Strength: Medium Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 94
“Other then the slightly tight draw it’s a fantastic cigar. The flavors were bold and had slight profile shifts to keep me engaged. The smoke production was top notch and the construction was excellent. I’d certainly pick up more to have on hand and hope that the one flaw I found wasn’t present.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“This cigar was really not for me. It wasn’t strong, but there was definitely a nicotine kick, and the flavors I did pick up (wood, tobacco, mildew, chocolate & earth) were quite muted. I don’t think I would smoke this one again.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“This was an enjoyable cigar from start to finish and was right in my wheelhouse with the flavor profile. I would definitely say this is a box worthy cigar and can’t wait to find out what it is.” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“So, this cigar was pretty good, however it didn’t really change much in the way of flavor complexity. I truly enjoyed the oak, caramel, vanilla and peanut flavors. The lack of changes in the flavor profile didn’t really make me care all to much as the profile it had was very enjoyable. I’d suggest this stick if you want an old standby that you could probably count on time after time. Good stick, but not in the top tier of the list of sticks I enjoy.” –John A. (Bostoneo)
“I know plenty of people that would love this cigar from beginning to end. I personally just had that little trouble with the last half of the last third and it is really hard to find a word the best describes the turmoil the only word I could come up with is bitter but that isn’t a fair description of the situation. Because the profile was balanced throughout the whole experience, maybe just too full for me would be a better description.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.
Blind Cigar Review: Diesel | Estelí Puro Robusto
Overall Score – 93 – Great
Blind Cigar Review: Diesel | Estelí Puro Robusto
Summary
"I know plenty of people that would love this cigar from beginning to end. I personally just had that little trouble with the last half of the last third and it is really hard to find a word the best describes the turmoil the only word I could come up with is bitter but that isn't a fair description of the situation. Because the profile was balanced throughout the whole experience, maybe just too full for me would be a better description." -Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
