Diamond Crown Maximus Stanford's 90th

[Kingantz]

It was a nice day out with a slight breeze and plenty of sunshine. I picked out a DCM Stanford’s 90th that I got not too long ago and had been looking forward to putting fire to. The medium brown wrapper had a little damage showing the binder, however I didn’t think it would really hurt the smoking much. The construction was really nice, however out in the sunlight I saw a lot of glue (fruit pectin?) all over the cigar, especially around the head, which was covered with it. At closer inspection, there were a number of tiny cracks in different spots and there was a slight curve in the cigar.

I punched the cap and found the draw to be slightly loose and a taste of sweet tobacco. With the foot torched, tons of smoke was produced and unfortunately, the spot of missing wrapper did take away from the draw some. I tried putting two fingers over the “hole” and it did help and got a nice draw of smoke out. Flavors were very good with cocoa and roasted nuts. Leather and some dark earth tastes came through as well. Unfortunately, the wrapper made a popping/cracking sound and split some more from the open hole.

Further in, the flavors remained very good with cocoa, nuts, and dark earth. There was a good medium strength in the smoke, which is just right for me and a nice long finish. I continued on and found the wrapper cracking and finally towards the end just completely falling apart. If not for the wrapper issues, this would have been an excellent smoke!

 

[Rebel Herfer]

Thanks for the heads up. I have a few of these in The Tower of Power and only one of the seems to have a crack in the wrapper at the foot. I may have to smoke it to save further indignities.

Nice pics!

 

[Nimrod]

Nice.

I do not have a 90th but I do have regular DCMs. They do look tasty, and after seeing your review I might have one now. :laugh:
Thanks

 

[uncelnino]

That's a shame that the wrapper blew up on you. Thanks for the review

 

[chainer]

Oddly enough, my friend and I lit up two Diamond Crowns the other day, both wrappers exploded. The taste was great, and I found it pretty easy to blow out the nose, but the wrapper issues really ruined the experience for the both of us. We ended up smoking short stories afterwards. As usual, great pictures and review, although this stick looked ugly!

 

[Macion Grey]

Looks like it was on life support before you lit it up. Shame about that mate.

 

[flamchop]

Aw man that wrapper incident looks brutal! That's too bad, at least it tasted good. I haven't had any issues with the DCM's I've smoked. I enjoy them very much! Nice review!

 

[LouieD]

Antz, I don't know what you paid for this stick, but they are usually around $25. I am surprised that after ascertaining the unbelievably poor construction of this premium cigar that you went ahead and smoked it. I would certainly hope that this is an aberration and not indicative of quality control problems in the Fuente factory. Certainly not the way for the J. C. Newman Company to honor the 90th birthday of Stanford Newman. Pretty bad IMHO.

 

[Anthem]

One of my favorite cigars of all time.

So sorry about the wrapper.

Thank you kind sir for the review.

 

[jayro75]

Wow, so sorry to hear about the wrapper problems ruining what seems like a good smoke. I have one of these sitting in my Humi waiting for the right moment to torch. I'll have ot keep an eye out for wrapper cracks.

Ironically I found a box of these at a little smoke shop near my office where the guy has no clue what he has. Offered me the box for $400 but with some of my other monetary commitments it was too rich for my blood.

 

[tkoepp]

Although it may not be the reason yours exploded, but I NEVER smoke a Cameroon in the winter. This happens EVERY time.

 

[ChiTown_Huck]

That sucks about the wrapper. So frustrating.

 

[mu mike]

Good review and bummer about the issues.

Although it may not be the reason yours exploded, but I NEVER smoke a Cameroon in the winter. This happens EVERY time.

Spot on, Tim. Cameroon wrappers are so fragile! But darn if they aren't good.

 

[atuck]

These cigars do not do well as singles, as with most cameroons. When I take one fresh out of the box, I never have a problem. If the cigar was in my travel humidor or case they almost always, at least, crack. I would have tossed it if it got that bad. These are great smokes!

 

[khari]

Good to see you back, Alan!

 

[mrrt]

WOW what a shame that thing exploded like that. Those are such a nice smoke too. I know that in the Winter time up North here, the lack lack of humidity outside tends to split alot of my wrappers. I dont know it that the issue there or if that Cameroon wrapper is just too fragile.

I think it was either Professor Wilkey or Professor Moki that suggested running the smoke quickly under water and drying it off to add some extra mositure into the wrapper before smoking. I actually have to do that to most of the smokes I take outside in the Winter. Some it helps, others just ..well end up like the picture.

I cant wait for summertime again.

Art