Diplomatico No 5 OEB July 07

[shrink]

No other cigar really delivers that sweet paprika and cream spice. It is a flavour mix that is distinctly Diplomatico and regulalry I yearn for it.

Amen. Have you tried an early 2006 Dip #3 lately? It nails that flavor profile, and adds some cocoa and citrus zest to the mix. Thanks for the review, your eminence.

[broozer]

» No other cigar really delivers that sweet paprika and cream spice. It is

» a flavour mix that is distinctly Diplomatico and regulalry I yearn for

» it.

»

» Amen. Have you tried an early 2006 Dip #3 lately? It nails that flavor

» profile, and adds some cocoa and citrus zest to the mix. Thanks for the

» review, your eminence.

i just finished off a DIP#3 from late '05 tonight and it was superb! gotta get a gig soon and get another box of those.........#5's as well. :-D

bruce

[Guibou]

When you are competing with RASCC, Trini

» Reyes, Maduro Secretos, Siglo 1, Party Short, Boli Corona Junior, San

» Cristobal La Punta, Monte 5 and Punch Petit Punch....you really have to be

» on your game or you sink to oblivion.

I'm sure your eminence that you thought of SCDLH El Principe, not La Punta, which is the campana (belicoso) size of the brand :-D !

[El Presidente]

»

» I'm sure your eminence that you thought of SCDLH El Principe, not

» La Punta, which is the campana (belicoso) size of the brand :-D !

....Haven't you got anything better to do

My sincerest apologies...slip of the tongue.

[tandblov]

Thanks for the review Pres.!!!

Lisa selected some of the darkest boxes at my request and I have been EXTREMELY pleased. There is the undertones of sourness, but I didn't find particularly off putting or dominant, and the complexity of this tiny cigar was very pleasing. I am glad to see a review of these. They get overlooked and deserve some recognition.

I generally prefer lighter color wrappers on cigars. However, for whatever reason, I find with the Diplo's, the darker the wrapper the more rich and tasty the cigar.

[happy1]

Damn,your making me drool

[Tampa1257]

I happen to love the Dip No. 5 and will need to re-supply soon.

[Guibou]

» ....Haven't you got anything better to do

[El Presidente]

» » ....Haven't you got anything better to do

»

»

Thats what I thought

[El Presidente]

Diplomatico No 5 OEB July 07

Talk about reviewing Freshies.....I could still smell the Malecon from this box ;-)

Always enjoyed the Dip 5 but it has stiff competition in perhaps the most competitive vitola group of all. When you are competing with RASCC, Trini Reyes, Maduro Secretos, Siglo 1, Party Short, Boli Corona Junior, San Cristobal La Punta, Monte 5 and Punch Petit Punch....you really have to be on your game or you sink to oblivion.

The Dip 5 has done well in the past because it has carved a niche with its definitive Diplomatico style. Medium bodied with a great mix of sweet paprika spice and sour cream utilising quality tobacco as a core.

This Dip 5 looked the good. Gorgeous comes to mind. Nice dark oily wrapper which appeared a tad wet to the touch. Aroma at cold was a light mix of field mushrooms and tobacco.

Clipped the cap and found a very satisfactory draw requiring the slightest of pulls. Minimal flavour on the tongue.

Fired up the foot and the immediate impressions were that this Dip 5 is stronger than any I had enjoyed in recent years. Pepper spice and tobacco dominate the full bodied opening. Deep black ash lent credence to the dark full impact. It took about 10 minutes for the Dip 5 to settle down but it was still a medium full cigar. Pepper had dissipated somewhat and replaced by a chewy, viscous wood and paprika note. There is a sourness in the background which is not offputting but raises the question as to whether it will come to dominate the cigar.

Well into the second third and the sourness is more dominant yet plays second fiddle to the rich tobacco and sweet paprika. My experience is that this sourness is a temporary (6-12 month) abberation. It transforms itself two ways either into a fruit driven flavour edge or one that is more cream and dry grass based. I am guessing this Dip 5 will take the second road. Mix the sweet paprika, wood, rich tobacco with some cream and this will be a cracker of a little cigar in the year to come. Right now however it is but a youth with grand plans and time on its hands.

Into the final third and building back to be a full bodied cigar. Very chewy mouthfeel. Some hints of nicotine oil on the cut cap which is bringing on a bitterness. Cut a little away and it iimproves significantly. Wood and pepper are the final crescendo for this Dip 5. It is not going to blow me away in complexity so it decides to leave a lasting impression by going out with all guns blazing with the few remaining aces it holds. While it tried hard the ending was a little unconvincing. Enjoyed the pepper bursts immensely. Partagas 898 V and R&J Cazadores in pepper intensity.

This Dip 5 has a good future ahead of it. It holds the essential ingredients to become a very good cigar if not a "Great". Young Siglo 1 have more class with the same power. Reyes are smoother, Small Club Coronas...even young ones...more balance and creamy spice.

One certainly to keep an eye on. One possibly for the humidor as a one or two year ageing cigar. Yet I know when reaching for this vitola style I will still at comparable age reach for a few others before it.

What has me intrigued however is how the sourness develops over the coming year. There is a lot of upside to this Dip 5 and I may have sold it short.

No other cigar really delivers that sweet paprika and cream spice. It is a flavour mix that is distinctly Diplomatico and regulalry I yearn for it.

OK...I will take the punt and put the rest of the box aside in my locker.

87/100 3.5/6 Smokerings