Diesel Disciple – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

In 2021, General Cigar created a new limited edition Diesel cigar, Diesel Disciple, exclusively for TAA Retailers. Last year (2022) that cigar was turned into a regular production release. Justin Andrews says the demand was so strong for the original limited edition, that they felt the need to turn it into a regular release.

Diesel Disciple is produced at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Estelí, Nicaragua. The blend was a collaboration between AJ Fernandez and STG’s Justin Andrews. The blend uses a Mexican San Andres wrapper, Ecuadoran Sumatra binder, and Nicaraguan Habano from Esteli for filler. Diesel Disciple comes in just one vitola, a 7 x 38 Lancero. Retail price for each cigar is $8.99 or $89.90 for a box of 10 cigars. Diesel is distributed through The Forged Cigar Company.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Lancero
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 38
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Justin Andrews & AJ Fernandez
Number of reviewers: 4 – Alan (Eulogy) Mickey T. (irratebass) Doug S. (Unpossible_1) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Price: $8.99
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: July 2021
Contributed by: Blind Man’s Puff

Initial Impressions – Diesel Disciple

Appearance: 93

“You can tell that this lancero was rolled with care and precision, with how visually appealing the roasted coffee bean wrapper flows, with no blemishes at all.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Aroma: 89

“The aroma in this sample is tangy and sweet. There is a rich composted sweetness that I’m really liking at the wrapper accompanied by sweet plain tobacco at the foot…can’t wait to fire this up!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

First Third

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

“The notes of warm peppercorn and milk chocolate go back and forth as things kick off. The retrohale has a bit more of a bite to the peppercorn, along with an interesting touch of floral-like softness.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“This cigar starts out with a cocoa sweetness followed by some syrupy sweetness mixed in. On the retro, I pick up coffee and walnuts. The ash really does not want to stay on…..it’s fallen on my table and now my chest already. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

Second Third

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

“The cigar has transitioned into a more creamy smoke. The strength has mellowed a bit to a mild/medium. There are some nice coffee notes coming in. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“The middle portion of the cigar has given me a bit of a flavor shift as the leather has developed a mineral, salty quality while the finish has become creamy with a soft, cashew note. It’s a really neat combination that I’m pleased to be smoking. Through the nose the smoke has mellowed yet retained enough of the pepper to be thoroughly enjoyable to me.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Final Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Heavy baking spice makes a return at the end with leather, cedar, red pepper, and hay. Nothing has really changed from the beginning but it is still enjoyable. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

“As I progress into the final portion of this cigar I’m realizing there is a significant nicotine punch to go along with the wonderful combination of leather and cream. The final third has continued with the same core flavors of the middle but has softened a bit more, enhancing the cream and making this into a savory dessert for me. ” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Overall Impressions – Diesel Disciple

Draw: 91

“Using a straight cut, the draw is impeccable and gives me no issues.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Burn: 94

“Burned well with just a slight waviness. Really no complaints as I didn’t need to do any touch-ups or relights. ” –Alan (Eulogy)

Construction: 93

“Smooth wrapper, with no soft or hard spots to find, tells me this was crafted with excellence. This cigar did not give me any issues while smoking it.” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

Overall Strength: Mild-Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 89

“Great looking and performing lancero. If you like an earthy profile this would be a great choice. I did find that it had a lack of transitions and was a bit one-dimensional. Still, the profile was solid and engaging the entire time.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“Overall I enjoyed this cigar it was very creamy with plenty of sweetness. There was one moment when the cigar started to become bitter and spicier but it didn’t last long enough to cause it to be too foul. I would definitely smoke this again.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“A fitting cigar to smoke and review for the start of February, the lancero month. I’m not sure when and why this became a thing, but who am I to question silly themes? At any rate, this cigar wasn’t too bad, and also nothing too great. Definitely not one that really impressed me flavor-wise. The floral notes were quite odd to me and really did not mesh well with the heavy coffee this cigar brought to the table. Some folks like cream and sugar in their coffee, but not floral-forward additives. I would be flabbergasted to hear someone ask for something like rose water for their coffee, and low and behold a little bit of research tells me that this is actually not that uncommon in the Middle East and Northern Africa. The more you know!” –Doug S. (Unpossible_1)

“I’m a fan of lanceros, and will admit to a bit of a bias whenever I pick one up. Fortunately, this cigar lived up to my expectations in all regards. I really enjoyed the flavors and loved the power from the beginning to end. For me, the luxury of a cigar is the relaxation it gives me as I sit and reflect on the experience and this sample was a prime example of why cigars are such a significant part of my life. Not only was this cigar enjoyable in regard to flavor, and performance, but it also had just the right nicotine kick to cause me to melt into my chair and really unwind. I highly recommend this lancero to all experienced cigar smokers, and to any who wish to broaden their horizons.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 100

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Diesel Disciple – Blind Cigar Review