StogieBoys Blog Don Diego

Basic Cigar Info:Name: Don DiegoStrength: MildWrapper: ConnecticutOrigin: Dominican RepublicShape: Grande (Toro)Filler: DominicanLength: 6Ring Gauge: 52Don Diego is recognized as one of the most dependable and respected cigars in the world. After the Cuban embargo they originally set up shop in the Canary Islands where the made a name for themselves until they made their home in the Dominican Republic where they are still making cigars.The Grande is Don Diego's version of a Toro cigar. The light brown wrapper offers several nice veins and a barely visible seam. I didn't really notice any blemishes in the wrapper. It seems to be packed really full of nice Dominican tobacco and I only really noticed on soft spot by the cap. It features two bands. The first is a thin band just below the main traditional band. This lower band is cream colored with gold and green and black trim (in that order) and "Don Diego" in gold and in the back the two horse crest in green. The main band is a similar color with a large circular green and black shield that features a two horse coat of arms crest in gold on a black background with a green circle on the outside. At the top of the circle is the words "Don Diego" in gold and at the bottoms golden laurels that flank the horses. On the back cream colored part of this band is written "Don Diego" in gold. The one thing I took away from the band: they don't want you to forget what the name of the cigar maker is. Anyway you hold the cigar it will be hard to miss the company name. The cap held up fine to a punch cutter and the cold draw was tight. The aroma featured nice hints of cedar and earth with just the slightest bit of hay and letter. The first third lit fine and burned even. It put forth a lot of nice creamy and smooth textured smoke. The first third featured a nice leather flavor with undertones of earth and cedar. Very pleasant to smoke and one of the mildest cigars that I've had in a long while. The burn continued even into the second third. My only real complaint was the tight draw. Nothing that I would say ruined the cigar but for the majority of the smoke it was tight.The second third continued to burn even throughout. The underlying earth flavor was still pleasant and the cedar was there as well until the halfway point. After that a slight toasted nuttiness entered the picture. Again nothing to crazy or harsh, the cigar remained nice and mild. The ash held into the second third but only for a little.The final third continued to burn nice and even and still had plenty of good creamy smoke. It featured a nice natural tobacco flavor with just a small hint of hay and earthiness. In the final third the cigar started to get just a little stronger but still nothing I would categorize as more than medium. Not harsh but just heavier than any other part of the cigar. The draw was much more relaxed at this point.Overall I have to say I really liked this cigar. It was very mild and I can even see enjoying this cigar on the hottest of nights. Pick up a few of these to enjoy and share with your friends. In fact if you know someone who is new to cigars this would be a perfect smoke for them.Final Verdict Ratings:Flavor: 8Value: 8Complexity: 7Finish: 7Aroma: 8Strength: 8Overall: 8