Last night the wife was off to a meeting, so I couldn’t resist the chance to review a smoke one of our reps brought by, the New Don Diego Playboy. I had heard from some of my buddies that this was a pretty good cigar, even some who didn’t think it would be.
Size: Toro, 6 inches long, 52 ring gauge
Country: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Binder: Conn Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican, Nicaruaguan, and Peruvian
Price: $17.00 for a 3-pack at Top Hat Tobacco.
Background: The new Playboy cigars are a richer, fuller version of the original Playboy by Don Diego. These stylish Dominican gems are handmade with a blend of the finest, aged Dominican, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian long filler tobaccos paired with very nice Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper leaves.
Don Diego is one of those names that have become synonymous with “mild.” It’s a go-to brand for beginners – they know the name, it’s easy to say and you’ll find it in just about any cigar shop across the country at a reasonable price. But this new version has just a bit of kick in it, which was very welcome.
The New Playboy is a nice compliment and a positive change-up in the Don Diego line. It is a very smooth cigar, but more complex and flavorful than the long-running Don Diego tradition suggests. This cigar is a good one for any level of cigar smoker, beginner or not.
Context: A few years back, a respected cigar smoker told me that any cigar with the name Don in it was not very good. This stuck with me. Though this may have been a fair generalization, although a negative stereotype from years ago, I know for a fact that it is way out of date today. Arturo Fuente’s Don Pepin, Don Carlos, the Don Tomas Cameroon and now the New Playboy by Don Diego shattered this dated notion, yet another indication of an ever changing industry.
Pre-light: These are great looking cigars. After my usual double guillotine cut, I took a couple of draws (before lighting). I was surprised by the taste. It may sound a little funny, but it was reminiscent of the Fig Newtons that my mother used to pawn off on us kids while growing up. It’s a more welcome taste today than it was as a kid decades ago. I felt one or two “soft spots” in the construction, under the wrapper, which would be the only negative I saw.
Burn and Taste: The opening, through the first half of this cigar, provided a little stronger than mild, yet flavorful smoke. The cigar makes a nice white ash which was not very strong, so you have to make sure to knock it off eveery inch or so. This cigar epitomizes a term that aficionados throw around – creamy. Believe it or not, the taste is the same as taking the whipped cream can and spraying it in your mouth. I know I’m not the only guy out there who does this trick. As the cigar reaches the mid-point, the cream flavor gives way to a little more of a blend of earthiness and cream. The finish is notable, leaving just a little peppery spiciness to savor throughout the cigar. The draw, burn and aroma were all fine.
Overall: Not a bad smoke at all, come on by and try one!
I love this cigar!
I’m smoking it Friday of next week i will leave my review right here (i consider my self a ammature cigar smoker i rarely smoke but i know a good cigar when i see one)
How did you like the smoke Nate? I haven’t had one of these cigars for a long time, maybe even since the review, which is strange considering I thought it was a pretty darn good smoke!