Diesel’s Hair of the Dog was released in March of this year. It was developed by AJ Fernandez with Justin Andrews, (Senior Brand Manager at General Cigar) and rolled at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua.
This cigar is only available in one size, a box pressed Toro. It is 6 inches in length with a 54 ring gauge. The filler is a blend of Nicaraguan Habano, surrounded by a Ecuadoran Sumatra binder and wrapped in a Ecuadoran Habano leaf. The MSRP is $10.00.
The cigar’s wrapper is tan in color with fine veins and nearly invisible seams. It had a rich tobacco aroma. The triple cap was smoothly applied. The cigar has a finished foot with an earthy sweet aroma.
The cigar was firm to the touch with no disernable soft spots. I used a guillotine cutter to clip the cap. The pre-light draw had a slight pull and I noted a dry hay and tobacco flavor at this time.
I used a triple flame torch to toast and light the foot of the cigar. Overall, the combustion of the cigar was perfect. The burn was even. The carbon ring was thin and dark. The cigar’s ash was light gray in color, tight and firm. The ash first dropped after the first inch and a half. The smoke produced during the exhale was average and had a pleasant aroma.
Getting into the cigar, the first third had a strong spice sensation during the retrohale. I noticed mild tobacco notes on my palate and there was a mild finish.
The cigar’s second third had an increased peppery sensation on the retrohale and similar tobacco notes and finish.
During the final third, I think the Hair of the Dog comes into its own. The retrohale is very strong. On my palate, I pick up on a very savory smooth tobaco flavor and a long satisfying finish.
Overall, I found Diesel’s Hair of the Dog to be a very enjoyable smoking experience. I consider the cigar to be full strength and full bodied. I give this cigar a 98 out of 100.