Smoked: Diamond Crown Julius Caeser, Duncan & Taylor GlenAllachie 14 & Macallan 12

Smoked at: Fairfield, Ohio

Diamond Crown Julius Caesar, or as the band spells it “Caeser,” has Dominican filler and binder and is covered in an oily toothy dark brpwm Ecuador Habano wrapper. The cigar looks well-constructed – firm with just enough give when squeezed and zero soft spots. You got to love the cigar band with a depiction of Julius Caesar – in this case, J.C. “Julius Caeser” Newman - in all his glory, including 3 gold coins – the price of admission to the Emperor’s always sold-out speeches at the Fabulous Forum. Julius was the Taylor Swift of his day.

Cut. Light. Draw. Right of the gate flavors of spice with the requisite amount of pepper and a touch of cinnamon, oak, musty earth, cream, cocoa, dark roast coffee, tea, and molasses or honey. There’s a lot of flavors dodging and weaving together, darting in and out right from the get-go. It’s like traffic flow on the 405 in LA at rush hour – only somewhat organized. Toward the end of the first third, I’m picking up leather, herbal, malted milk and citrus notes occasionally. The oak has transitioned to charred cedar. And it’s not finished yet. Second third includes notes of dried fruit – including one puff of distinct cherry notes, caramel, something akin to water table crackers with mineral notes and mixed nuts. There are other flavor notes puff to puff that I’m unable to identify, but I know they’re there. There’s something in the flavor transition that reminds me of being at a carnival or amusement park wafting in the summer air. Wonderful transitions. Great complexity. Medium bodied that builds to medium-full. Medium-full strength. This is very enjoyable.

The retrohale actually brings out more leather than pepper along with wood, nuts and a slight mineral note. It’s not harsh on the nostrils, but it certainly gets your attention.

Construction: Perfect draw, solid tight light grey ash that held to an inch-plus, generous smoke production and fairly even burn line to start. One touchup evened it out and I put away the torch for the evening. The burn line and the ash were dead on flawless to the nub. I did not want to put it down. The ash held on to 2 inches at the nub. Would not fall. Would not roll off. That’s some serious construction.

All Hail! Diamond Crown Julius Caesar Rules! There are no words. OK, one…WOW! This makes my short list as one of the best cigars I’ve smoked this year. Any other contenders? We’re running out of year. This really is a cigar for the experienced smoker. I’m not sure a newbie would pick up all the flavors, nuances and refinement of this cigar. It’s not an inexpensive experience, but for my money worth the price of admission. This cigar is as classic as the era of the man depicted on the cigar band.

BTW: By the second third I decided this stick would pair better with a lower ABV Speyside and switched to a Macallan 12. It paired perfectly.