Diesel Crucible (2021) – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

General Cigar/The Forged Cigar Company released the Diesel Crucible in April of 2021. This is a new cigar the company says is the third and final cigar what they are now calling the “Elixir Trilogy.” Other cigars now being included in this collection are the other Diesel limited releases “Hair of the Dog” and “Delirium” which came out in 2019 and 2020 respectively. All three cigars had previously been released as Cigars International releases years ago, but now come to the general public as limited editions with updates to the packaging and blends. The original Diesel Crucible came out in 2012 and was the first limited edition Diesel.

Crucible is a limited edition cigar that comes in just one size, a 6 x 52 toro. Only 3,000 boxes of Diesel Crucible were made. Each cigar has an MSRP of $9.99 and come in wooden boxes of ten with two compartments, each containing five cigars similar to the previous Elixir releases.

Crucible is rolled at at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua, and blended by AJ Fernandez and Justin Andrews The blend uses an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper, Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: NIcaragua
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Justin Andrews & AJ Fernandez
Number of reviewers: 5 – Sean F. (fullermaine) Kevin A. (Kevin A.) Matt Cade (CadeTNCC) Allison T. (The Yoga Ash) Vance T. (Vance)
Price: $9.99
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: April 2021
Contributed by: Forged Cigar Co.

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 88

“At first glance, I notice that close to the smooth cap, which falls nicely on the shoulder, the wrapper has bright speckling, with some fairly large veins on the upper part of the cigar. It also wouldn’t surprise me if, 1183 was originally a very softbox press with the way the foot looks. There is also a glue residue from the band & a foot band leftover on this Toro, which luckily didn’t rip the seamless dark butterscotch wrapper. ” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)

Aroma: 91

“The aroma off the wrapper is nice, with a perceptible hot chocolate. Conversely, the aroma off the foot is straight barnyard: potent and funky. ” –Vance T. (Vance)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“On the pre-light cold draw there’s a slight impression of the ammonia you get in the aging room, along with barnyard. As I light it up the draw remains nice if not slightly snug. The flavors on the front are spiced chocolate with a subtle hint of worn leather and a sweet floral like honeysuckle. On the retro it’s chili pepper and brown sugar. Really interesting combo so far. A little less than inch into it and my burn line has a gradual wave but nothing too concerning. The ash is firm but not tight, with a smoky grey color. The chili pepper still dominates the retro but up front the honeysuckle has vanished and the chocolate has involved into a black coffee and unsweetened vanilla. ” –Vance T. (Vance)

“There’s a slight sense of floral and cocoa powder on the cold draw. Upon ignition, there is a very strong pepper spice through the nose coupled with a French Roast coffee note on the draw. At around the one inch mark, the strength of that peppery retrohale starts to decline and that allows hints of milk chocolate and mineral to begin revealing themselves on the draw. Construction early on is great with a smooth draw, strong ash, and acceptable burn line.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“That Yoo-hoo drink essence is in the forefront with oak, earth in the background & wisps of black pepper on the retro hale. 1183 is a Toro with an excellent draw, burn & is having no problem holding an ash, which is holding up in the breeze that I am smoking in. ” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)

“Getting into the next part of the cigar, it gets a little spicier. Sourdough bread notes appear and add to the existing flavors. The pepper notes move to more of a red pepper profile, and there is a vegetal note on the finish. Retrohale is still almost pure white pepper and is silky smooth. This is a very well balanced cigar thus far. Burn and draw continue to perform admirably. The steakhouse aroma has faded from the smoke itself, but that is not detracting from the smoking enjoyment at all.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Final Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The retrohale spice, thankfully, picks up in the final third although it is nowhere near at the same level of strength as it was in the early goings. Flavor wise, things remain consistent from the middle third with the core notes of coffee, mineral, and cream holding steady until the very end. Construction continues to be great in every category.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

“As I transition into the final third I’m happy to find the return of the milk chocolate from earlier. The bitter black coffee lingers coupled with a vanilla custard, and the chili pepper on the retro, tho not as dominating, is ever present. This is the most balanced the profile has been and I’m digging it. Unfortunately the sweet combo lasted only about a quarter of an inch, then the harshness returned and I put her down with an inch and half left.” –Vance T. (Vance)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 98

“Simply said, I wish all cigars had this draw. All pulls of smoke were even without even trying. ” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)

Burn: 97

“Perfect even burn. Beautiful grey-white ash from beginning to end.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Construction: 93

“The flavor delivery was excellent as was burn and draw. Not the greatest looking cigar, but looks are overrated!” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 92

“The perfect cigar! Great notes of tea, spice, coffee, cocoa, and toast. No touch up or re-light needed. Beautiful grey-white ash. Smoked to less than an inch. Didn’t want the experience to end. Wish I had another. A cigar I’d want in my humidor and would seek out.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“This was an enjoyable cigar from the first few puffs all the way to the nub. Dark and spicy with some sweeter notes mixed in. The meaty note in the early parts of the cigar added a great element to the profile, and the coffee, black cherry and coffee notes blended together to make for an excellent profile. This cigar seemed familiar to me, so I might already have it in the humidor. If I don’t, it will be there soon! ” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“I ended up enjoying this cigar quite a bit which somewhat surprised me after the first third. Once the pepper spice began to recede and the rather generic coffee note was the only prominent flavor remaining, I began to lose interest UNTIL things turned around for the better and some new notes quickly presented themselves. When you factor in those enjoyable flavors with the overall great construction, I would smoke this cigar again.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

“I will admit the essences I got from 1183 were not my cup of tea, however I could see others liking it, especially if they like the idea of Yoo-hoo light creaminess or wood. Copple that the great draw, burn & construction this cigar be someone’s go to cigar ” –Allison T. (The Yoga Ash)

“This cigar showed a lot of promise with glimpses of excellence. Unfortunately, despite recurring themes of chocolate, coffee, vanilla and chili pepper, the cigar was mired with bouts of harshness and imbalance. Loved the vitola and smoking performance but not one I’d likely seek out in the future.” –Vance T. (Vance)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 80

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Diesel Crucible (2021)- Blind Cigar Review