Collaborations have become increasingly popular in cigar circles. When great names in the industry join forces to conjure up a special smoke, you naturally expect great things. What makes the Diamond Crown Maximus even more extraordinary and exciting is that it’s a collaboration between three titans that have (and continue) to heavily contribute to our stogie enjoyment.

In 2020, J.C. Newman Cigar celebrated its 125th anniversary, but the Diamond Crown Maximus, with its gladiatorial title, was actually created to mark the company’s 110^th anniversary. Recognizing the trend for fuller-bodied cigars, the Maximus is designed to be a more gallant version of the original Diamond Crown cigar, which showcased a perfectly balanced mellow to medium strength.

With a dream team consisting of the Newman family (who owns J.C. Newman and the Diamond Crown brand), the Fuente family (who handles production for the Diamond Crown Maximus), and the Oliva family (who grows the El Bajo wrapper) in Ecuador, I’m chomping at the bit to get smoking.

Cigar Specs

• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Strength: Full
• Wrapper: El Bajo Ecuadorian Ligero Oscuro Sun Grown
• Binder: Dominican Republic
• Filler: Dominican Republic
• Smoke Time: 100 minutes
• Sizes Available:
  • Churchill No. 2 (7 x 50)
  • Double Belicoso No. 10 (6.75 x 54)
  • Double Corona No. 1 (8 x 50)
  • Double Robusto No. 6 (5 x 56)
  • Pyramid No. 3 (6.38 x 50)
  • Robusto No. 5 (5 x 50)
  • Toro No. 4 (6 x 50)

What is the construction like?

The first part of this cigar that struck me was the band. It’s ridiculously glossy and detailed to the point that you can only admire it. From the crown at the summit to the opulent medallions beneath the Latin inscription styled ‘Maximus’ name, it certainly lives up to its blues accents and gold stars billing.

The El Bajo sun-grown wrapper is dark, toothy, and extremely oily, which makes for an excellent feel. There’s only a slight bit of giving to this stick when squeezed. Even though this meant the draw required a certain degree of effort, it did nothing to detract from my smoking experience.

Bittersweet chocolate was unmistakably wafting from the wrapper as I prepared myself for the “richest, hardiest, and darkest tobacco from the top priming ‘corona’ of the plant” that is used to blood the Maximus. Because the tobacco is very thick, the Fuentes can re-bulk and re-ferment the tobacco, further fueling its full flavor and dark color.

What I thought about the cold draw

There was enough complexity in the Maximus before I’d even put flame to foot. The dry draw was very pleasurable with notes of fruit, cedar, and hay, along with a mid-level spiciness that got my lips dancing. Even at that this stage, I could tell the stick was going to be a flavor bomb.

Flavors enjoyed from the Diamond Crown Maximus

The cigar lived up to its dark and alluring appearance. There was always a tingle of spice to the profile, which varied in force depending on the sweetness that accompanied it.

While the pepper did fade during the second third, there was more than enough complexity in terms of flavor nuances and shifts. Other key flavor notes throughout my Maximus journey included bittersweet chocolate, earth, and cedar.

First third

The Maximus fired off at maximum piquancy as I was transported to a fully stocked spice rack. Cumin, allspice, and cinnamon all sparked my senses, with accents of black expresso and dark chocolate providing a complex richness to complement the different spice elements.

There’s a fair amount of red pepper on the nose, but it didn’t linger on my palette, which made everything that little more cordial. It’s a tremendous start.

Second third

The second third stayed true to the deep flavor profile as it transitioned into more earth and charred wood notes that increased in intensity the further I puffed along. The chocolate hit was still playing its part, although it had taken a creamy turn.

The spice that was so apparent in the first third had disappeared to the background, but glimpses of black pepper seared the tongue, and the retrohale remained full of red pepper. Smoke from the foot was thick and pungent as I progressed to the grand finale.

Final third

I’m always intrigued by the final third of a full-flavored (and in this case) spicy cigar. Would it get to a point where I could no longer stand the heat and decipher the flavors? Thankfully not. Black pepper became the leading note of the flavor profile, with the milk chocolate returning to darker waters.

As the cigar came to a close, other attributes, including earth and dry cedar crept into the profile to keep things interesting and balance everything out until the last draw.

How strong is the cigar?

Make no mistake, this is a powerhouse cigar that reflects the intensely flavored tobacco leaf. I would rate the strength profile at the top end. Its robust character would pair perfectly with a cask-strength sherry-rich malt (ideally no less than 50% ABV).

Final thoughts

The goal of the Diamond Crown Maximus was to produce a full-flavored and spicier cigar. When you take a moment to concentrate on what is being delivered in the flavor profile, the different levels of spiciness are rather ingenious as they never cease to overshadow the different flavor rockets that are launched from all directions.

If you ever needed a reason to join the dark side, then the Diamond Crown Maximus is it.