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Herf or turd? by Herfdog - Camacho Diploma.

herfdog

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It has two bands. The main one is ridiculously big and hides more than half the cigar, yet is a nice classy black with some purple and silver writings. "Hand built in Honduras", "Diploma", “Camacho - built bold.”
The other bad has the company's trademark "Infamous since 1962".

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It has a nice hay and stable smell reminiscent of it being maduro, and its foot has the same stable aroma with added licorice.
It is dark, and mostly hidden. What is visible doesn't show seams and veins are small.
It is the Camacho Diploma from their new bold serie (2013). But is it worthy of being placed in the herfadore? or is it yet another dog rocket? Who better than a dog to recognize dog rockets? Let's try it out.

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Before even thinking of lighting this cigar, one will want to remove the foot band. Pulling gently on it will do the trick easily.
For this stogie this dog decided to go fancy and try the Gordon Mott technique with 3 matches and the uncut cigar.
Sadly this means there's no pre-draw.

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The stick lighted correctly and was followed by a double guillotine cut that was sharp, easy and precise. The draw was excellent.


First draw was somewhat bitter and had almonds flavors. Grilled walnuts with a touch of salt.

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The first third was somewhat spicy. It tasted red pepper mixed with some leather. The flavors evolved to peppered nut coffee. Retrohaling only revealed more red pepper to clean the sinuses...

For some odd reasons, the band needs to be removed before the beginning of the second third, unless one plan on smoking its chrome foil.

During the second third the pepper was still present but nuts were more present, and earth got into the equation by the end of the third.

The spices came back during the last third and the finish became a bit longer. That's an interesting evolution. Flavors are now grilled red pepper.


Trough the whole duration, the smoke was abundant and white. Rather cool at the first third but a bit warmer at the second. The smoke is heavy and malleable, making smoke circles that lasts longer than usual. The smoke was remaining at head level.

The cigar produced a solid grey ash. It remained until the last third, although it was somewhat crooked. The ash-to-wrapper line was very fine.

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Burn was consistent without relight trough the cigar and until well into the last third, when the cigar started to have a stronger kick.


It was paired with a strong craft ale, which seemed well suited.

Duration was nearly 90 minutes, which is a bit longer than expected considering the 5x50 size.


For a cigar publicising "built bold", this Diploma sure ain't super bodied. The flavor profile isn't the most colorful and the first third is even rather dull. But the flavor profile evolves in an interesting way. It might not be the star of a herf, but it sure is a good offering.
While I would not be chasing this stogie up, I wouldn't mind having another one.

This dog says: Herf Approved.​
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herfdog

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well done! keep them coming, Yan!
is this the triple maduro? if so, i thought it was supposed to knock ppl on their butts, so i was surprised when you said it wasnt "super bodied"...
No the triple maduro, while bearing black and silver as well, is a different cigar. I'd be curious to compare...
 
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No the triple maduro, while bearing black and silver as well, is a different cigar. I'd be curious to compare...
I gotta say, the triple maduro was a relatively benign blend for me. I have yet to have a Camacho stick (ostensibly a very full-bodied brand) knock me on my butt...my $.02
 

herfdog

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Very nice review!
Thanks for taking the time to share.
Have you used the "Gordon Mott technique" before and if so what difference do you find when doing so?
I personnally prefer matches or spills to lighter. I can use a soft flame, but whenever I use a torch lighter I taste a bit of burning or charring. It is likely me not being good with torch, maybe I could learn to do it properly, but I taste a difference.

Now, I don't know that cutting the cigar after lighting it will taste different. But it does light and burn well. I think it is softer on the tobbaco while lighting it.
 

herfdog

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I gotta say, the triple maduro was a relatively benign blend for me. I have yet to have a Camacho stick (ostensibly a very full-bodied brand) knock me on my butt...my $.02
Same here. I mean, their promotion clearly states "built bold"... I would be expecting fuller body under that PR.

Construction is great, and there are flavors and evolution. It isn't super complex and by no mean the best tasting cigar, but enjoyable in its own way. Just not my definition of 'BOLD'...
 
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I personnally prefer matches or spills to lighter. I can use a soft flame, but whenever I use a torch lighter I taste a bit of burning or charring. It is likely me not being good with torch, maybe I could learn to do it properly, but I taste a difference.

Now, I don't know that cutting the cigar after lighting it will taste different. But it does light and burn well. I think it is softer on the tobbaco while lighting it.
Thx. I've seen it spoken of, but have never personally tried it.
Not sure if this is what's happening, but try not to make the flame from the torch touch the cigar (I know, seems like a waste of butane!).
 

herfdog

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Thx. I've seen it spoken of, but have never personally tried it.
Not sure if this is what's happening, but try not to make the flame from the torch touch the cigar.
Problem with torch is that it burns at a way higher temps, so you need to be farther from the flame. I think I need to train doing it properly.

Back on cut vs uncut... I wonder if that's why it lasted longer? I would be interested in comparative burning test. I think I have read somewhere its supposed to burn longer... if so, I don't mind doing it that way all the time ;)
 

herfdog

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@herfdog
Uncut is supposed to prevent sulfur (matches) & butane (lighters) from affecting the flavor of the cigar (just reviewed his video).
I think it should in that matter do the same result as lightning with spills... however I think the roasting to be more even when uncut. Might not be so... this might only be in my (our) head. But still.
 
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