Wrapper: Cuban
Binder: Cuban
Filler: Cuban
Size: 9.3 x 55 Diademas
Strength: Medium
Price: €24 Euros in 2004
Factory: Unknown. The box as such is gone. Only the individual coffins remain.
Box Date: Sep. 2003
These cigars received 20 years of private humidor time.
First half:
Monte A., Davidoff, or indeed Dunhill of old, i.e. Cuba. Fidel’s Cohiba Lanceros. Early batches of Trinidad (for diplomatic purposes only). The list goes on. We all have our Cuban Unicorns, cigars that, once smoked, become irreplaceable. Welcome to one of my last six Cuaba Diademas.
It is Christmas though so I thought, why the h*ll not. I told Phil I’d have a Christmas review for him, and, for better or for worse, here it is.
The Cuaba Diadema (“CD”) starts with a bit of work. Due to its format, the first few puffs require attention. I have to keep it properly lit but must not overheat it, and with the smallest foot in the known cigar world outside of Mafiaesque cigarillos, this requires care and, well, attention.
But then it opens up. And boy does it open up. Flawless Cuban draw, great construction. Fabulous.
And the flavours? I am tempted to use emojis for words might fail me. Soft and stylish Cuban twang, i.e. heaps of caramel, vanilla and just a tad of salt. No spices. Coffee in the background. The retrohale is more of the same, and that is a good thing. If there is one thing I’d complain about, which I am really loathe to, it is that the smoke output is as reserved and genteel as the cigar. Could be more, could be thicker.
Citrus is coming in also softly, nothing happens with a bang here, it is one of the most refined cigars I have ever experienced. And age does in no way diminish its appeal, a bit like Sophia Loren…. This also goes for its appearance. Razor sharp burn line, and the wrapper, seeing how I forgot to mention it is chocolatey in colour and smooth. A good-looking cigar and of course its shape is special in the best of ways. It also means that there should be interesting transitions.
I already mentioned the citrus coming in, it is somewhere between a lemon and an orange, but mellow, mellow, mellow…
A lot of the flavour notes of well made and aged Cubans are similar. This is not surprising, as Cubans are by definition puros, so there is little room to vary leaf. I have a theory on what that means to the ever-changing portfolio of cigars coming out of Cuba, but I am not going to spoil this report with that.
However.
The flavour profile here, while also available elsewhere, is special because of the way it is presented. It is a sum of parts that is far greater that the individual components. The flavours gel, transition softly, they require commitment to be fully appreciated. I probably should stop writing for a minute or two.
Second half:
Just before the beginning of the second half, the transitions stop and present a concise monument with caramel at the base, and peaks of salt, citrus and also a bit of cayenne pepper which tickles the back of my tongue. I have rarely been so pleased with the performance of a cigar. It is never loud, never shouts “look at me”, it just delivers. It comes into its own once you decide to relax and give it, but even more so yourself, its due. No distractions. Just the cigar.
The gates to Xanadu appear, and I walk through.
Having arrived, I realise I also forget to the tell you how the CD smokes. Medium is my take. But really the correct answer is “just right”.
Once the thickest point of the cigar is reached, it opens up even more. Previously I though this cigar had a continuous sweet spot start to finish, but it has a Christmas present for me. Smoke output increases. And fruit is added. I believe it is …. Mango? Never tasted that before in a cigar, but it is here and so enjoyable.
Yet the caramel stays, the vanilla remains, so do Salt-N-Pepa. The CD builds on its foundations up to an uproarious crescendo. The top notes of mellow citrus and mango are joined by cedar. I do not know how this cigar does it but it all fits together so perfectly. As the shape of the figurado changes, so does its strength from medium to medium plus, and back. Reading this, my eulogy could come across as one for an ultimately boring cigar but it is not. It keeps it all interesting, using minute changes in strength and peak flavours while the big picture simply remains delicious. I believe only Cuba can do this.
The cigar goes out after two and a half hours. I will miss it. It was time well spent. That’s saying a lot these days.
Final thoughts:
It was good to talk to this old friend of mine again. Twenty and more years ago, Cuaba was one of my go-tos. Times have changed. Back then I used to think “Why spend so much (sic!) on a box of five CDs, when I can get about thirty Distinguidos for the same money?” And while know that was not wrong, I do wish I’d listened to my heart more often. Then I would not be down to five now. Irreplaceable.
I would like to leave you with this: there are cigars we are dead keen on trying to find out what they are about. Whatever these are for you, do it if you can. One may be enough just for the experience, before they are gone, or your kids gently explain to you that smoking is prohibited in this retirement home.
Happy Holidays!
Final Score: 100 (and I am stingy here, as I have promised myself not to go above this)
Katman here…I love this guy.
Discover more from Cigar Reviews by the Katman
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Ha! Well done. Thank you. – MaKa
LikeLike
nice
LikeLike
a meditation. loved it.
LikeLike
Hi, Phill,
Even though you spell your first name, wrong,
I really appreciate your reviews and how your brain works.
During your short hiatus, I tried to get your number, from Rod and Chad, over at the Perfec office, but, to no avail.
I used to own Hoffer’s Cigar Bar, in La Mesa, Ca., (hofferscigar.com) and had sold their product for years, and I totally, believe how you do.
Check out Live at Hoffer’s , on Youtube. I am also an ex-musician, ( not of your caliber) but my place was the only place in Southern Cal. Where you could drink great beer and wine, smoke great sticks, and see grade A music.
Even had a Grammy winner play.
Anyway, wife got sick, and sold the place, and retired, alas, as a widower.
I remember in your old posts, that you took donations, to help out, and I would like to do that!
Can send you a check, or another way. I hope your health is going better. I feel your pain.,
PHIL
LikeLike
Hello Philip (the correct spelling),
First, thank you for your kind offer. But my new deal with exclusive sponsor Small Batch Cigar takes care of me for all of 2025 with a fee of $2.1 million. If my readers, in total, spend $2300 for the year, my fee goes up to $4.22 million.
My condolences for the loss of your dear wife. We are in the season of Boomers loss.
I promise to contact you.
All the best,
Phillip (the incorrect spelling)
LikeLike
Well, that should help!! Now, that I am a civilian, I have fun buying like normal people, and, have purchased from Small Batch, so that’s good!
I used you when buying for shop, and still do for my own, now overcrowded large humidor. Keep up God’s work. Happy Hanukah!
Phil
LikeLike
🙄 …. so… approximately 200 reviews per year. $2.1 million/~200 reviews = $10,500 per review ($21,100 if readers spend $2300) 🤔. You owe me $10,500 for my guest review unless I spend $2300 at SBC before December 31st in which case you owe me $21,100. I’m going shopping…. my humidor is suddenly looking very empty. 😂
LikeLike
Will you take a check?
Phil
LikeLike