Agile Cigar Reviews are cigar assessments where we use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or giving a score for the first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the Diamond Crown Black Diamond by J.C. Newman Cigar Company in the Marquis (Robusto Gordo) size. This is a cigar line we previously assessed in the Radiant (Short Robusto) size back in May 2019.

Wrapper: Sun Grown Connecticut Maduro
Binder: Dominican (Chateau de la Fuente)
Filler: Dominican (Chateau de la Fuente)
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Factory: Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia
Marquis: 5 1/4 x 56

Today we take a look at the third of J.C. Newman’s Diamond Crown Black Diamond series with the Marquis size. The Marquis is the thickest of the three sizes, measuring 5 1/4 x 56 in a size. The cigar is highlighted by a Sun Grown Maduro wrapper. The story of the Black Diamond traces back to 2013 when J.C. Newman announced it was rebranding its Diamond Crown Maduro to Black Diamond. After soliciting input from consumers and retailers, the blend was changed and eventually new packaging was put in place. Then, at the 2016 IPCPR, a new iteration of the project was showcased. It’s a cigar that has done extremely well on Cigar Coop, including landing on the 2017 Cigar of the Year Countdown at #21.

The Connecticut Sun Grown wrapper is one that was aged for eight years and underwent extended fermentation. The binder and filler are grown at the Fuente’s Chateau de la Fuente farm in the Dominican Republic. These particular Dominican tobaccos are aged five years and have not been used in any other blend before. As with all J.C. Newman Cigars under the Diamond Crown brand, the Black Diamond is produced at Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia in the Dominican Republic.

The Black Diamond Marquis started out with a mix of earth, cedar, red pepper, mocha, and maduro sweetness. The mocha is a fusion of chocolate and coffee notes while the maduro sweetness is a fusion of natural tobacco and dried fruit. During the first third the mocha and earth notes become primary. The first third has the chocolate component of the mocha more prominent. The second third sees more of the coffee component present while the maduro sweetness becomes less prominent. By the last third, the coffee component of the mocha and earth notes are prominent. There still are notes of chocolate present as well as red pepper and cedar in the background.

Throughout the smoking experience, the flavors are medium-bodied countered by medium strength. The strength and body balance each other nicely.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

One of the best lines brought to market in the past two years has been the Diamond Crown Black Diamond line. I’ve assessed all three sizes and they are excellent. While I would still rate the Emerald and Radiant sizes higher than the Marquis, the Marquis is still a very good cigar. If you want to experience what the Black Diamond line has to offer in a thicker ring gauge with the strength and body dialed slightly back, this is certainly the cigar for you. It’s a cigar I would recommend to any cigar enthusiast. As for myself, it’s one worth buying and garners box worthy consideration.

Summary

Key Flavors: Mocha (Coffee/Chocolate), “Maduro Sweetness” (Dried Fruit/Natural Tobacco), Pepper, Cedar, Earth
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Finish: Very Good