JC Newman

July 24, 2021

diesel Crucible (6 x 52)









Video review HERE.


(Description provided by Forged Cigar Co.)

Diesel is set to roll out “Crucible,” the third and final expression in the brand’s “Elixir Trilogy.” Crucible follows the top-rated “Hair of the Dog” and “Delirium” releases which both sold out within weeks of their launch dates in 2019 and 2020.

Like previous Elixir blends, Crucible will be a limited-edition, full-bodied smoke available in just one size, with distinctive design elements that give a nod to innovation and experimentation.

Only 3,000 boxes of Diesel Crucible have been made, and the cigars begin shipping to retailers on April 26.

Senior Brand Manager Justin Andrews said, “Diesel Crucible concludes the Elixir trilogy on a high note. It’s definitely a full-bodied smoke, and definitely for an experienced palate. But it’s more than that: This cigar takes a sophisticated approach to strength. There are so many intricacies with this blend, it’s like a new experience with every draw. I know you’re not supposed to play favorites but to me, this is the best release of the series.”

Handcrafted at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Esteli, Nicaragua, and blended by AJ Fernandez with Justin Andrews, Crucible features an Ecuadoran Habano wrapper that AJ selected to undergo a deep aging process to further develop its bold characteristics.

When blended with a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan and Honduran fillers, the experience delivers a unique Central American spice, brimming with an array of spices, hints of toasted nuts and an unexpected whisper of nougat on the palate.

Diesel Crucible will be released in a Toro (6” x 52) that will sell for an SRP of $9.99 per cigar. The cigars are presented in rustic, ten-count wooden boxes with two compartments, each containing five cigars.


The cigar is well made and is a soft box press. It has an average feel in the hand.




The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were citrus peel, cedar, brown sugar, leather, and black coffee. There is just a minor amount of nutmeg and almost unmentionable. There was a lot of black pepper which I rated at 8. The cigar tasted like it's going to be very full bodied. We'll see.



At the first third (33 minutes) there was a lot of earthy black coffee. From the light-up through the first third the sweetness has decreased and the black coffee has increased. The black pepper is still very good. I don't have the citrus peel anymore. It's more of a cedar and brown sugar. There was light leather but you will mostly notice the elevated black coffee. The cigar is medium bodied. The finish is a creamy nutmeg and minor brown sugar with a lot of lingering black pepper. The cigar is quite dark and doesn't have a lot of sweetness. I rated the first third 91.




Moving through the second third (54 minutes) I had light cedar, light brown sugar, light toffee, leather, and elevated earthy black coffee. The sweetness is really suffering. I guess Justin likes very leathery, earthy cigars with a lot of black coffee. The finish is nutmeg, light toffee, and light brown sugar with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is now medium to full bodied. I rated the second third 87.




The cigar lasted 1 hour 12 minutes. It kept going on the same path. I now had a lot of earthy black coffee, minor amounts of toffee, light leather, and a lot of black pepper. The finish is unchanged; nutmeg and toffee with a lot of lingering black pepper. The cigar reached full bodied in the final third. From the light up through the end the cigar lost sweetness while increasing in earthy black coffee. The cigar lost a lot of appeal. I rated the final third 83. For comparison I rated the Hair of the Dog 93 and the Delirium 91.33. In that regard I guess I'm the opposite of Justin. 




Overall Score: 87

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