Cigar Reviewed: Diesel Rage

Smoked at: Minnesota

First of all, I should have left this in the humidor longer than a week, but curiosity got the best of me and I gave it a go. The burn and ash have been solid, but I've been dealing with some undesirable wrapper unraveling.

Having smoked some other Diesels that I mostly enjoyed, I've become accustomed to the brand's bark being more than its bite — in a good way. The amped-up branding that suggests a rough, spicy ass-kicker turned out to be more of a desert with the Whiskey Row and Unlimited models. The prelight draw of this guy was rich with sweet chocolate cake, but when fired up, I got a mouthful of unpleasant cinnamon punch that burns into the nostrils. This fella is much more reminiscent of the AJ Fernandez Man O' War battering rams that I do not appreciate.

It calms down some in the middle third, with the chocolate reemerging with some leather, but the smoke is pungent and leaves behind a bitter aftertaste that left me reaching for a drink after every pull. There's a velvet glove in there, but the iron dominates.

The wrapper wants to come apart in the final third, so I hold and puff carefully as most of the spice has disappated and been replaced with more enjoyable earth and pepper. The aftertaste is still harsh and nicotine prevalent. I'm gonna have to stand up slowly.

If I give this one another try, I'll let it rest for a few months, but I don't think this is my kind of cigar. Sitting in front of a heater in the 3° Minnesota cold, I wish I'd brought out a CAO Brazilia instead.