It was a dark and stormy evening.....just like every evening for the past week or so in the Tampa area. The weather had finally cleared and it was time to try something new.

The cigar: Maximus Churchill
The drink: Disaronno Amaretto

While examining the construction I got a little worried from the start. I noticed two patch jobs on the wrapper. They were done well and appeared to perhaps just be thin spots but this does disturb me when I see it. I've seen it on cigars of all price ranges. The draw was tight. Almost too tight. I could see that it simply was packed with tobacco. I supposed it could be a bit moist as well but this thing was definitely packed. It reminded me of an AF Cuban Belicoso or CAO Criollo.

The wrapper is very dark but not maduro. I had to hunt around to find something close. It was darker than an 858 SG, not quite as dark as a PAM. It looked almost identical to an Ashton VSG. Now it is time to light it and I'm already worried about its draw, construction, and price.

It did not take long for my fears to subside. It lit perfectly. It burned perfectly. It held two inches of ash. It wasn't too moist at all, just packed. As a result, you had better have plenty of time on your hands because this is a hour and a half cigar. I couldn't smoke this thing hot if I tried. I purged it half way through and it purged like a flamethrower.
The draw was still tight, perhaps I'm just used to so many cigars that are packed loose.

After one puff it was clear that this cigar had nothing to do with the original Diamond Crown series. It was a much fuller flavor heavyweight. The smell was awesome, the taste was cocoa with a very rich smoke. Although the wrapper looked like an Ashton VSG, the taste was definitely different. In my opinion, I could have been tasting a Padron Annie Maduro. No other cigar came to mind. Unlike a PAM, it seems to drop a little of that cocoa taste about half way through. It definitely changed. I had to have a PAM today just to confirm the similarity.

I think we have a new contender on the market for sharing top shelf status with PAM and Opus. Is it worth $15? I always struggle with that question for any of the super premiums. For that price I can buy two fine churchills of another brand(s). I guess if you are one to occasionally buy cigars in that price range, this is a strong choice. It is at least worth trying one.

I'll await Penzt8's review of the robusto or corona....

Tom

Excellent, I wasn't aware of the new Maximus, but I enjoy most anything from Fuente so I'm sure it will be overpriced and delicious!

Mmmmmmmm, sounds delicious...

Did the amaretto go well with it?

topped for whun450.

Yes, Amaretto went well with it.

Can't wait to try it. Thanks for the review

Thanks for the review. None of my local guys have them yet, but I'll keep looking. If it compares to the PAM it will be a pleasure.

DED

Get them fast. One box to select Diamond Crown dealers.

Maybe Penztate will join us, but meantime let me add my .02.

I spent a mild, rainy afternoon at my local today with their fantastic new air purification system and plush leather couches, in the company of some good natured Texas gents, a snifter of Planter's XO Rum, a Diet Coke back with a wedge of lime, and a Diamond Crown Maximus Robusto. First, that has to be one of the most beautiful cigar bands ever.


The cigar shows near perfect construction, and burns just like it looks like it ought to: perfect. The near-white ash finally fell off after an inch and a half or so.

It started out pleasantly peppery and kept getting smoother and tastier while maintaining a nice power level. Too bad I didn't have some needle nose pliars with me when it got too short to handle. Lots of complexity of flavors in this one. I bought a handful thinking of future trades. Forget the trades. Run to your local before they run out. Of course there is always a chance this won't fit your flavor profile yet, but if not, one day it will, so buy some and set them aside while you have a chance. This is a world-class cigar.

BTW, if you haven't tried this rum, you HC drinkers, you should. Made in Anguilla and sold in hand-blown glass. Exquiste. Life is good.

I've got to agree with the reviews. Just finished a Toro #4. What a beautiful smell when it burned. A very consistent tatse and burn. There is a deep dark chocolate flavor. IMHO this is a notch above the Opus X if thats possible.

My only complaint (I knows its petty) When I pay $12 for a cigar, I prefer that the drunk guy not put the band on my cigar. The band was ripped and overlapped pretty crooked. It's pretty nice when that's all I can bitch about.

Fuente has another winner here!! If you can get one, spend the money to at least give it a try. I hope you'll be as pleased as I was.

I stopped by my tobacconist tonight on the way home. They had 3 sizes. I had limitted funds... I bought 2 churchills (18 and change) basically 20 bux w/tax). I smoked one tonight and gifted the other to Groucho when I went to see him perform. Both were excellent!! The performance, and the Maximus 🙂

I would describe it as a longer thicker 858 sungrown. That's the flavor profile that most closely matched this cigar to me. Obviously since it had probably what was the same sun grown wrapper as the 858. It lasted 2 hours and was most excellent. Developed throughout. I don't know how many more I'll be buying at that price... But it was good!

Groucho gave me one of those much ballyhooed um key west cigars? I'm not sure, but they get a lot of good press here. It's a maduro and I just lit it. Good initial impression.

Could that be the El Original? X

White band with Red in the center (mostly red); El Original in gold letters? Santiago de Cuba on top, El Rey Del Tobaco at the bottom. Appx 52 x 5.5. Maduro, very nice indeed...

Man, you guys are killing me here. I'm dying to try one of those robustos but I'm waiting until this weekend so I can dedicate the time. I returned home this weekend after three weeks of back to back travel and I have a few projects to get caught up on before I can really relax with a cigar. Also over the past couple of weeks I picked up some Diamond Crown maduros and some Fuente Don Carlos that are all waiting patiently for my attention.

Just picked up a couple Toro #4's..

they look yummy.

Picked up a couple robusto no5s. Will light one up this weekend...

Now I am intrigued. My local shop doesn't have any, but I'll try driving around next week.

choner

Heys Guys, is your store limiting to 2 or is that just my local store? Just curious. (went and got 2 more Toro #4's today)

I went to a new store, no limit, except how much grief I was willing to get from mrstelcom.

Well, I finally got around to smoking a #5 on Saturday. The construction, burn, and draw were all excellent. It started out a little peppery but I didn't observe any other noticeable flavors after the pepper subsided, just great tasting tobacco. There was plenty of rich, thick smoke. I smoked it down to the nub and it never burned hot or lost it's flavor. A definite top shelf smoke that is worth the price tag.

Okay........okay.........You guys! Enough already! I've already had to wipe the drool off my keyboard twice from reading your damn reviews! My nearest tobacco shop is 25 miles from where I hang my hat and I haven't found anyplace on line to make a purchase. Too soon maybe? Give me a break............