Don Diego

A Mild Cigar

Don Diego is definitely a very mild cigar, which will feel quite straightforward on your palate. However, you will find that it also has nice balance, pleasant aroma, and a creamy texture, which makes it unique amongst the mild varieties. What stands out is its superb construction and the light, shade grown, Connecticut US wrapper, which lends smoothness and silkiness to the smoking experience. This is not a complex cigar with myriad flavors, but a mild one that has a  very decent finish. The binder of the cigar is Dominican, whereas the filler is a smooth blend of Brazilian and Dominican tobaccos.

A Classic

Don Diego is quite an old cigar with many generations of smokers who have been its fans. The cigar originated in the Canary Islands, and was the first one made in the islands after the embargo was implemented on Cuban cigars. This wonderful mild cigar continues to be made in the Dominican Republic under the supervision of the legendary Jose Seijas who has over 40 years of experience in making cigars and is a member of the Hall of Fame of Cigar Aficionado. Don Diego cigars are available in Amigos, Coronas, Miniature, Minutos, Monarch AT, Nr. 5 Elites, Perlas, Petit Corona, Prelude, Robustos, Slim Panetelas, and Torpedo.

Introduction of the Fuerte

Altadis USA, in 2011 has introduced the Don Diego Fuerto line of cigars that seems to be a climb up from the very mild body to a medium one.  It is available in Corona and Robusto, which has a ring gauge of 54 and length of 4.75 inches. The Fuerto has an Ecuadorian Cubano wrapper, with a Nicaraguan binder, and Dominican and Nicaraguan blend filler.

The dark Ecuadorian wrapper of the Fuerto feels a bit spongy, and is nothing like the Connecticut wrapper for the milder cigar line. After you light this cigar, expect quite a bit of thick smoke.

As to the flavor of the Don Diego cigars, there are slight floral and dried fruit flavor scoming through, but not much. Even though the wrapper is oilier and darker, the body is at the most medium. The Spanish word “Fuerte” means hard, but the cigar has just a hint of full body. However, it does make an ideal choice for a newbie, who would not want a full body. This cigar would introduce the smoker to a slightly heavier body without producing a knockout.