I picked up a couple of these today, first 2 out of the box, large robusto or corona gorda size.

They look wonderful, smooth, oily and very few viens. It took a fine clip and the predraw was somewhat sweet with faint hint of chocolate, or maybe that's just way it looked influencing me.

It burns evenly with a light gray solid ash. It started with a light woody taste that didn't show much promise. I held on hoping for something to kick in. The flavor builds a little but stays one dimensional. Not much complexity or changes in profile. I got down to the first band and took it off hoping the last couple of inches would deliver a little more.

Overall it wasn't an unpleasant cigar but just somewhat bland, like a sugar/salt free diet food. It was a smooth smoke that would maybe be complimented with the right beverage but just wasn't the rich flavored smoke I was hoping for.

Barry

I recently had a Diploma Maduro and I didn't like it at all. I found it to have a very metalic taste that got harsh and metalic as it went along. I tried to stay with it but couldn't and I pitched at about 2/3.

I hope that they are in a sick period or that my taste buds were off that night. X

I loved mine. I haven't smoke the Diploma yet. I do give a slight edge to the standard corojo, but as the cliche' goes "any of these you don't want...".

Maybe they need a few more months on them? I hope that's the case! I love the corojo line and can't wait to fire up the maddie. It looks and smells so damned good, but you know what they say about looks...

I can't smoke for a few days more, and I was gonna fire up the Diploma Maddie when I can. I think I'll let it sit a few more months after reading your and X's reactions. Thanks guys!

As of July Camacho came out with the same line with a new blend. It is supposed to give it more dimension. I haven't smoked them yet, I have a box of Toro's from '03. I liked it I thought it was creamy and boy is it powerful. I do relate to people that wish it had more dimensions, so it is a work in progress.

The corojo is one of my favorite cigars...I also love the SLR, it's fantastic! I smoked a regular camacho I think it had a gold band the other night and I thought it was awfull...I pitched it about half way.

Concur with BMW and X; flat and one dimensional hits it on the nose; having become accustomed to more complex, fuller bodied smokes; these did nothing for me. Quite unlike a well aged regular Diploma which I hold in high regard and in my top 5 nonCubans.