The Diesel Wicked Belicoso Review

“Diesel Wicked” – the name sounds like something a Massachusetts trucker would exclaim as he eases up I-93 towards Andover: “Diesel is wicked expensive! I need a cigar!” Something like that. Make no mistake, this is one wicked awesome smoke. It’s another terrific offering from A.J. Fernandez; a limited run while the unique, ass-kicking leaves last. Check out the whole Diesel line.

I’ve smoked cigars going up 93 myself; just over the NH border there’s this happy little place called Two Guys – the perfect place to relax before or after a meal at the Red Tavern. Wait … they closed the Tavern some years back. (I digress as usual). Anyway, I enjoyed my Wicked 6 X 56 torpedo one recent evening after a run by the river. Just prior to dusk it still felt hot as hades even while drinking half-frozen water. Anyone else would have been laid out by this strong, full-bodied baby. There’s nicotine in this stick. You can feel it working the magic; it’s a physical endeavor as much as a flavor experience. You actually know you’re smoking a cigar! Now, let me skip ahead straight to the flavors.

I was at an event one time which mainly featured flavored cigars. The rep went on and on about perfume, potpourri, berries, and flowers. I finally asked him if he had any tobacco flavored cigars. We shared a tense laugh. No such problems here – the Wicked is a tobacco product that tastes like tobacco, good tobacco! It all stems from the wonderful balance of ligero filler from the hills of Nicaragua bound up with some of Esteli’s finest. The wrapper is a maduro, a dark, oily, rugged-looking broadleaf from Pennsylvania. This combination packs a punch and a kick. It’s strong but not overpowering – dignified if a little less than smooth – like an overpriced, late model diesel pickup truck.

That unmistakable tobacco flavor is made of hearty tones of wood and earth. The smoke is deep and heavy right off. It’s a down and dirty smoke – a wicked smoke – all in a very good way. I also detected the essence of leather and fresh ground pepper. Hints of not-so-hot (but definitely there) spice kept the session amped up. When I finished (and this one is a real fingernail burner) I was nearly dizzy but I could have almost fired up a second stick. Does “Mmmmmm……” describe it well enough?

The cigar itself was very well-built, being both dark and shiny and of very stout construction. In fact, I initially had some misgivings based on the touch and feel test. I thought there had to be too much leaf packed in there. I was wrong – don’t always trust your gut. The draw was deceptively easy given the tightness of the construction – a tribute to the roller and to A.J.’s quality assurance.

The light up went off without a hitch (I used a single match). All that thick tobacco not only made for delicious smoke but also for a long smoke. The entire time, start to finish, she burned absolutely perfectly. I probably puffed along slowly for about two hours without once needing to address any canoeing or irregularity. Not surprisingly, given the robust stature of the cigar, it burned slowly (and I had been running so I was dead tired and of no help via additional puff power). A tight, chalky white ash formed and held on until summoned to the ashtray. This might be a good candidate for your next long ash event.

I’ll bet it’s a good candidate for just about any event. I would say any smoker could handle it but I have experience and a heart. If you’re just taking up the hobby save this one for later in your tenure. Otherwise, approach it slowly and with a little caution. I didn’t write “ass-kicking” above without reason. Seasoned vets, smoke away! The Wicked might go well with a strong single-malt or a good bourbon. I’d recommend a couple of ice cubes in the glass and maybe one should keep the cold water handy, as I did. Yes, I will match any cigar with the appropriate beer. In this case it would have to be a strong, dark beer – maybe that’s better left until after the weather cools a bit. Hot here. Maybe I should move to New Hampshire or … naah.

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The Diesel Wicked – a wicked good cigar whether the weather is wicked hot or wicked cold. For wicked low prices on Diesels and other premium cigars please visit the good folks at Cigars City. Cigars City? Now that sounds like a place I could move to. Sounds like wicked fun.