Black Diamond saw a nationwide launch on Black Friday in 2016 with an event in Nashua, NH at Two Guys Smoke Shop. Since then, the Black Diamond has continued to grow in popularity and I find myself smoking it more and more. Today we review the Black Diamond Radiant as a continuation of a conversation had on The Cigar Authority podcast. During the show we brought up durable wrappers that would withstand the brutal cold weather much of the United States was experiencing and this is a perfect example of such a wrapper.
Cigar: Black Diamond by Diamon Crown
Wrapper: Connecticut Cuban Seed Sungrown
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 4.5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Size: Radiant (Short Robusto)
The Look: The packaging of the Black Diamond features highly glossed boxes that are both elegant and heavy in the hand. A raised emblem denotes Black Diamond is on each box, and silver text is on the front of the box denoting the name and size. Inside are 20 cigars lined up in four rows of five. The band of the cigar is silver foil, red, indigo and black. There is a lot of detail here and embossing gives the band a nice texture. As for the cigar, the dark wrapper has a few thin veins and is rolled with precision.
The Notes: The draw of the Black Diamond has notes of brown sugar and plum. There is a subtle cocoa note as well which is more noticeable on the aroma from the foot of the cigar which also has hints of earth. After toasting and lighting the cigar the initial note of the cigar is a sweet plum.
As we continue through the first third of the cigar, the plum slides into the background as notes of leather, cocoa and a touch of wheat begin to develop. . The cigar is incredibly smooth with a subtle strength to it. Through the nose there are notes of burning wood at the fire pit and a subtle pepper and as the first third comes to a close a subtle citrus note begins to emerge.
In the second third of the cigar the notes include a hint of lime, molasses and an abundance of wood. There is a leather component that fades away around the half way point but remains on the retrohale.
The last third of the cigar sees the notes of leather become dominant with some notes of wood and cocoa in the background. Some of the sweetness remains on the finish and the retrohale of the cigar offers up notes of wood and pepper. The cigar burns cool and is exceptionally smooth from start to finish.
The Finish: The Black Diamond is a hearty smoke with a nice amount of strength and body. It’s probably a cigar that would be best enjoyed after a nice steak dinner with a nightcap around the fire. It’s complex, smooth and consistent which is everything you want from a cigar at this price point.
Score: 93
Price: $17.19 / $305.99
Black Diamond Radiant
Black Diamond Radiant Foot
Black Diamond Radiant Burn
