(Description taken from Halfwheel.com website)
Since 2018, the Diesel brand has been partnering with Rabbit Hole Distilling to release cigars that have incorporated barrel-aged tobacco.
It’s the Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection Raceking, a 6 x 52 toro that uses a Nicaraguan binder that was aged in barrels that previously held Rabbit Hole Raceking bourbon. On top is an Ecuadorian habano wrapper and underneath are Nicaraguan fillers. Like all Diesel cigars, it is made at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Each cigar has an MSRP of $15.99 and production is limited to 2,300 boxes of 10 cigars.
“We’re thrilled to release another cigar in our Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection in collaboration with Rabbit Hole,” said Joe Krzyston, assistant brand manager for Diesel, in a press release. “This barrel-aged blend honors the history and legacy of Kentucky bourbon. Whether you’re watching the race or simply enjoying the quality of the craft, this cigar is truly exceptional.”
Raceking, the bourbon, uses a recipe of chocolate-malted wheat and chocolate-malted barley. Rabbit Hole says it is a tribute to Kentucky’s horse racing tradition. While not an official Kentucky Derby cigar, it will arrive just before the event, which takes place on May 3.
This is the third release in the Diesel Founder’s Collection Series, following the Boxergrail and Mizunara.
The cigar is nicely made and has an average feel in the hand.
The test draw after cutting the cap was good. The initial flavors at light up were lime, brown sugar, a drop or two of caramel, and earthy black coffee. There was black pepper rated at 7 1/2, possibly a little more. Pretty good start.
At the first third (21 minutes) the cigar has made a massive change. From about 1/2 inch the cigar started getting very earthy. The nice notes at light up are gone for the most part. There are minor notes of lime and brown sugar but there is no mistaking the massive earthiness that has developed. The finish was a little lime and black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. The cigar is medium bodied. I rated the first third 90.
Moving through the second third (42 minutes) not much changed, if anything. The earthiness is still there with minimal sweetness. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is black coffee with very good lingering black pepper. All in all, the cigar is about the same so I held the score of 90.
The cigar lasted 1 hour 2 minutes. The earthiness took off a little more. It's more than I can take at this point. The cigar is medium to full bodied. The finish is unchanged. I'm not a fan of this much earthiness. I rated the final third 87.
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