Originally introduced in 2016, the Black Diamond by J.C. Newman has been updated with new bands and a tweaked blend, that according to the company adds more strength to the cigar. The new blend and packaging was released in August of 2022. The company worked in collaboration with Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia. to handcraft and blend this release.
In the words of Drew Newman:
“Although our Diamond Crown Black Diamond cigars have been savored by cigar enthusiasts around the world for six years, I was not satisfied and wanted to make them better”
J.C. Newman further notes on their website:
“The Diamond Crown brand is synonymous with excellence and was the first cigar of its kind when Stanford Newman launched it for our company’s 100th Anniversary. He had a dream of launching the first luxury cigar. He didn’t care how much it cost to make it or even if it sold, he just wanted it to be the best.
As the newest member to the Diamond Crown Family, Black Diamond offers a uniquely exquisite taste featuring carefully aged tobaccos not found in any other cigar in the world. It is hand-crafted by the finest cigar makers at Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic exclusively for J.C. Newman Cigar Company.“
The updated Black Diamond is expressed in three vitolas, each packaged in 20-count boxes:
- Radiant (4 1/2 x 54) – MSRP $18.00
- Emerald (6 x 52) – MSRP $21.00
- Marquise (5 1/4 x 56) – MSRP $20.00
The blend is described by the company as:
- Wrapper – Connecticut Havana
- Binder – Dominican
- Filler – Dominican
The Five-year-old aged filler tobaccos are exclusively grown for Black Diamond by the Fuente Family in the Dominican Republic and meticulously hand-rolled into a rich-tasting Connecticut Havana seed sun-grown wrapper.
For this review, I sampled 6 of the J.C. Newman Diamond Crown Black Diamond Emeralds that I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The J.C. Newman Diamond Crown Black Diamond is a beautifully oily and dark brown cigar. It has a minimum amount of veins and is firmly packed and solid to the touch with no soft spots. The cigar is well capped and shows signs of excellent construction.
Two bands adorn the J.C. Newman Diamond Crown Black Diamond. The primary band uses a black and gold motif with the brandmark prominently displayed in the center along with a gold and red crown. It also includes the “Black Diamond” red and gold logo on the bottom. This is a departure from the original silver and red crown of the original. A secondary ornate footer band is applied that includes the red and gold “Black Diamond” logo in the center.
Running the Black Diamond along the nose, I noted the barnyard notes along the barrel while the foot exuded fresh citrus and a hint of cedar notes.
Using my CigarMedics Baller cutter, I open the cap perfectly and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs. I found the draw to be spot on with restriction while offering notes of sweetness and a peppery sensation especially on the cheeks. Some more cold puffing and the pepper grows. This is cigar that has been growing on me each time I smoke one.
Using my dual flame torch, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of sweet cinnamon spice to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- First light graces the palate with cinnamon spice sweetness
- Light grey ash forms on top of a medium thick wavy burn line
- Enticing fruit aroma wafts off the foot
- Mouth watering citrus notes add to the pleasure
- Sweetness lays in the background with a pleasant cedar component
- Citrus reveals itself as orange
- Excellent oiling above the burn line
- Ash dropped in big chunk – revealing a decent burn cone
- Floral notes brighten the profile
- Caramel nuances with a delicate spice on the retrohale
- Slight off burn midway
- Tart cherry note adds to the already enticing and interesting profile
- Mint nuance finds its way for a few puffs
- Cashew notes enter moving into final third
- Medium – Plus in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 45 minutes
Final Analysis
As I noted, the more I smoked the J.C. Newman Diamond Crown Black Diamond, the more it grew on me. Each time discerning the various nuances of the fantastic blend. I mean seriously, this cigar has a plethora of flavors and aromas that are not normally found in the many cigars I have reviewed. Notes like orange citrus, tart cherry, cashew, and mint all with an underlying cinnamon spice component kept this journey interesting from foot to nub. It did have some minor burn issues like an off burn and a off centered burn cone, but like I said, the more I smoke the more this is one I enjoy. Pick a fiver of these. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn; (-1) Off burn midway; (-1) Touch up required
Bonus Points: (+1) Long Solid Ash; (+1) Extremely Complex; (+1) Excellent Oiling Above the Burn Line
