Cigar Czars

 

Review of Diesel Whiskey Row
Sherry Cask 2020 Holiday Cigar

By: Gary Manelski

Diesel's Whiskey Row Sherry Cask blend for the 2020 holiday season is a barber pole wrapped cigar available only in the Gordo size (5 x 56). The cigar is made with both Connecticut Broadleaf and Shade wrappers, a Brazilian binder and a blend of Nicaraguan Habano filler leaves. These cigars were blended by AJ Fernandez, and the binder leaves were aged in Sherry barrels via AJ's proprietary process. Diesel Sherry Cask 2020 Holiday cigars became available during October 2020, and are sold in wooden whiskey barrels containing 10 cigars, which retail for $125. For more information, please check out the official press release.

The blend of the Diesel Sherry Cask 2020 Holiday cigar is the same as the original Diesel Sherry Cask cigar released in 2019, but with the addition of a Connecticut wrapper to form a barber-pole style cigar. I was not a big fan of the original, but I found the new Holiday blend to be more balanced and enjoyable. The cigar started off with a modest sweet peppery taste, which quickly developed into a leathery creamy flavor along with some spice and hints of sweetness. The cigar was medium-to-full bodied, and did not become overpowering during the second half, as did the original.

The Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask Holiday 2020 cigar was very well made and had a good draw, mostly even burn, and held a medium-to-long ash. It took me 65 minutes to smoke the cigar down to two inches remaining, with one relight after the first 45 minutes. I rate it with a very good 4 points on a 5-point scale.

Note that these cigars are only sold in limited edition tabletop wooden whiskey barrels containing 10 cigars (which would make for a great holiday gift). The lid of the barrel also doubles as an ashtray. Scroll down to view publicity photo from General Cigar.


Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer.

Diesel Sherry Cask Holiday 2020 Cigar
Diesel Sherry Cask Holiday 2020 Cigar

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