Diesel Vintage Series Robusto Gordo

Today, we review the Diesel Vintage Series Robusto Gordo from Forged Cigar Company. The Vintage Series debuted at the 2023 Premium Cigar Company (PCA) Trade Show. That trade show saw Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG)’s Forged Cigar Company make its debut as an entity. One observation from what the majority of Forged showcased was that many other companies were pushing higher-priced offerings. On the other hand, Forged went in the opposite direction, focusing most of its attention on offerings under $10.00. The Diesel Vintage Series is a line that falls under that brand.

Diesel is delivering a bold smoke featuring vintage tobaccos. This isn’t radical in terms of developing a cigar blend. The difference is that Forged was looking to do this in a value-priced offering. The Diesel Vintage Series is a Maduro offering. Earlier this year, Forged added the Diesel Vintage Series Natural to the portfolio.

Diesel Vintage Series Robusto Gordo – Cigar Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

The Diesel Vintage Series features a Mexican San Andres wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder from Estelí, and Nicaraguan tobaccos from Jalapa ranging in age from five to eight years. As with all Diesel offerings, this is a collaboration between STG’s Justin Andrews and AJ Fernandez. Production comes from AJ Fernandez’s factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

Wrapper: San Andres Negro
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaragua
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.

Vitolas Offered

The Diesel Vintage Series is available in five regular production sizes. Each is presented in 20-count boxes.

Pico Gordo: 4 1/2 x 60
Robusto Gordo: 5 x 56
Rabito: 6 x 46
Toro: 6 x 52
Double Corona: 7 3/4 x 49

Appearance (*)

The San Andres wrapper of the Diesel Vintage Series Robusto Gordo had a chocolate brown color. There was a slight amount of toothiness on the surface of the wrapper. Upon closer examination, some mottling could also be seen on the surface of the wrapper. There were some thin, visible veins. In addition, there were some visible wrapper seams.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw (*)

Before lighting up the Vintage Series Robusto Gordo, the cap was removed with a straight cut. Once the cap was removed, it was time to commence the pre-light draw ritual. Cocoa notes highlighted the cold draw, along with notes of fruit and earth mixed in. Overall, this was an excellent pre-light draw experience. It was time to toast up the Vintage Series Robusto Gordo and move into the smoking phase.

Tasting Notes

The Vintage Series Robusto Gordo continued where the pre-light draw left off —namely, notes of cocoa, fruit, and earth. There were also some pepper notes in the equation. The cocoa notes quickly emerged as the primary note. The fruit, earth, and pepper settled in the background. The pepper was quite potent on the retro-hale.

During the second third of the Vintage Series Robusto Gordo, the pepper notes gradually increased on the tongue. Meanwhile, the pepper remained quite prominent in the retro-hale. There was also a gradual decrease when it came to the fruit notes. Meanwhile, earth notes remained grounded in the background. A mineral note emerged in the background toward the latter part of the second third.

Once into the final this, the Vintage Series Robusto Gordo’s profile changed. The earth and mineral notes took over as the primary note. Rounding out the flavor profile were notes of pepper, cocoa, and fruit. The pepper notes remained prominent on the retro-hale. This is how the cigar experience of the Vintage Series Robusto Gordo came to a close. The resulting nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

Overall, the Vintage Series Robusto Gordo scored quite well. This cigar required minimal touch-ups to maintain a straight burn path. There was a little curviness on the burn line, but this didn’t lead to any meandering of the burn path. The resulting ash was firm with a very light gray color. As for the burn rate and burn temperature, both maintain ideal levels.

Burn of the Diesel Vintage Series Robusto Gordo

Draw

The draw of the Vintage Series Robusto Gordo also scored quite well. This cigar had a touch of resistance to it. If you have read many of my assessments, you will know this is the sweet spot for a draw. At the same time, this was a low-maintenance cigar to derive flavor from. There was also an ample amount of smoke production that came from the Vintage Series Robusto Gordo.

Strength and Body

The Vintage Series Robusto Gordo truly lives up to its reputation. This cigar is definitely on the bolder side. It opens up with medium to full strength and medium to full-bodied flavors. Both attributes increase slowly in intensity, and by the second half, it is a full-strength, full-bodied smoke.

In terms of strength versus body with the Vintage Series Robusto Gordo, the strength had a slight edge throughout the smoking experience.

BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)

What a fantastic packaging presentation for the Diesel Vintage Series! For a cigar line priced under $10.00, this is packaged quite nicely. I like the use of the Diesel insignia logo on both the band and the box. The individual slots for cigars in the box are a nice feature. Additionally, I appreciate the small burlap piece inside the box, which serves as a charming finishing touch.

Packaging of the Diesel Vintage Series

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

I have mentioned this several times: the work that Justin Andrews has done to transform the Diesel brand should not be overlooked. Originally a catalog brand, he has done a remarkable job turning it into a brick-and-mortar staple. The Robusto Gordo size of the Diesel Vintage Series might be some of his best work. He has delivered as advertised a flavorful power-bomb of a premium cigar at a value-price. On top of that, this cigar had excellent construction. In the end, given the Vintage Series Robusto Gordo’s boldness, I still recommend this cigar to a more seasoned cigar enthusiast. As for myself, this is a no-brainer for a box-purchase. The Vintage Series Robusto Gordo earns a 90-point score, which is a barometer level that is not easy to reach on Cigar Coop. This earns a Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence designation.

Summary

Key Flavors: Cocoa, Earth, Mineral, Fruit, Pepper
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium Minus
Strength: Medium to Full (1st Half), Full (2nd Half)
Body: Medium to Full (1st Half), Full (2nd Half)
Finish: Excellent