AshMap
Overview
There is a particular kind of cigar that doesn't shout for attention — it simply waits, patient and dark, for the smoker who knows what they're looking at. The Diamond Crown Black Diamond Torpedo is that cigar. As the maduro extension of the Diamond Crown line, it takes the brand's reputation for refinement and drags it, happily, through the soil. Introduced in the early 2000s and rolled at the MATASA factory in Santiago, this is a cigar that has quietly outperformed its own reputation for two decades. The torpedo vitola — 6.0 x 52 — is the ideal delivery vehicle for this blend, concentrating the smoke and focusing the wrapper's contribution directly onto the palate.
Before the flame ever touches the foot, the cold draw tells you what's coming: dark cocoa powder, dry cedar shavings, and a whisper of black pepper that settles on the lips. The first light confirms it. Rich earth and baking chocolate roll across the tongue, wrapped in a creamy texture that speaks to genuinely aged Dominican long-fillers. The retrohale carries that black pepper note with surprising grace — present, but never aggressive. This is a maduro that understands restraint. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, deep espresso brown with a subtle tooth and a faint oil sheen, contributes a natural sweetness that begins to assert itself almost immediately.
By the second third, the cigar has found its stride. Espresso joins the cocoa, and the sweetness sharpens into something specific: dark raisin, dried fig, a fruitiness that cuts through the earth. Leather arrives — pronounced, almost chewy — and the Broadleaf's sugar becomes the dominant thread, balanced by toasted oak and a mild cream on the finish. This is where the Black Diamond Torpedo separates itself from the core Diamond Crown line. Where that cigar is polished and mild, this one has teeth. The complexity here isn't academic; it's the kind of layered, evolving smoke that rewards attention without demanding it.
The final third concentrates everything. Dark molasses and roasted coffee bean take over, joined by a pleasant woody bitterness that recalls dark baker's chocolate — the 85% kind, not the candy bar. Strength builds to medium-full but never tips into harshness. The finish is long, lingering with espresso and earth, and the burn line stays even throughout, producing a firm charcoal-grey ash that holds well past an inch. The draw is slightly firm but effortless — a hallmark of MATASA's production standards. This is a 90-minute smoke, and it knows it. Rushing it would be a mistake; the maduro wrapper's complexity unfolds on its own schedule, rewarding slow, deliberate puffing with flavors that shift and deepen in the final inches. It's an undervalued workhorse in the maduro category — serious enough for seasoned palates, approachable enough for those new to dark wrappers.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro — Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Dominican Republic long-fillers, aged |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6.0 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium-Full |
| Price | $18–$24 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos are aged prior to rolling; specific duration not publicly disclosed by General Cigar |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw and first light deliver dark cocoa, cedar, and a hint of black pepper at the retrohale. The maduro wrapper opens with rich earth and baking chocolate, supported by a creamy texture that signals well-aged tobaccos.
Second Third
Complexity deepens with notes of espresso, dried fruit — specifically dark raisin and fig — and a pronounced leather character. The sweetness from the Connecticut Broadleaf becomes more dominant here, balanced by subtle toasted oak and a mild creaminess on the finish.
Final Third
The final third concentrates flavors into dark molasses, roasted coffee bean, and a pleasant woody bitterness akin to dark baker's chocolate. Strength builds to medium-full without becoming harsh, finishing long with lingering espresso and earth.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistent with General Cigar's MATASA production standards — the draw is slightly firm but effortless, and the burn line is even with a firm, charcoal-grey ash that holds well past an inch. A well-made cigar that rarely requires touch-ups.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged rum — specifically a 12–15 year Barbadian rum such as Mount Gay XO or Appleton Estate 12 Year — or a wheated bourbon like W.L. Weller Special Reserve to complement the natural sweetness of the maduro wrapper
Wine
A ripe, full-bodied Zinfandel from Lodi or a Petite Sirah with dark fruit intensity to match the chocolate and espresso notes
Non-Alcoholic
A double espresso or a dark roast cold brew — the bitterness and roasted character mirror the cigar's core flavor profile beautifully
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a smoker who has been at this for a few years — someone who has moved past the mild, creamy Connecticuts and started experimenting with maduros, but hasn't yet committed to the full-bodied Nicaraguan powerhouses. It's a Saturday afternoon in late autumn, the kind of day where the light is golden and there's no particular place to be. They pour two fingers of aged Barbadian rum, settle into a worn leather chair on the porch, and clip the torpedo's tapered head with a sharp double-guillotine. This cigar is for that moment: unhurried, reflective, and slightly indulgent. It will reward their patience with a sweetness that builds, an earthiness that grounds, and a finish that lingers long after the last puff. They'll finish it and think, 'Why don't more people talk about this one?'
Bottom Line
The Diamond Crown Black Diamond Torpedo is the maduro that General Cigar's premium line deserved all along — rich, layered, and quietly confident. At $18–$24, it undercuts comparable Dominican premiums without sacrificing an ounce of depth. Buy a box, forget about it for a year, and thank yourself later.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Diamond Crown Black Diamond cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Diamond Crown Black Diamond Torpedo a strong cigar?
It's rated Medium-Full (4/5). Physically, that means you'll feel a gentle nicotine warmth in the final third — enough to notice, not enough to knock you over. The strength builds gradually from the first light, so you have time to adjust. It's a cigar that sits comfortably between a mild morning smoke and a full-bodied after-dinner powerhouse.
What does Diamond Crown Black Diamond Torpedo taste like?
The first third delivers dark cocoa, cedar, and black pepper on the retrohale, with rich earth and baking chocolate on the palate. The second third adds espresso, dark raisin, fig, leather, and toasted oak, with a creamy finish. The final third concentrates into dark molasses, roasted coffee bean, and a woody bitterness akin to dark baker's chocolate.
How long does Diamond Crown Black Diamond Torpedo take to smoke?
Expect roughly 90 minutes. The 6.0 x 52 torpedo vitola provides a substantial smoke, and the slightly firm draw encourages slow, deliberate puffing. Rushing it will flatten the flavor progression — this is a cigar that rewards patience.
What is the best pairing for Diamond Crown Black Diamond Torpedo?
An aged Barbadian rum — specifically a 12–15 year expression like Mount Gay XO or Appleton Estate 12 Year — is the ideal companion. The rum's natural sweetness and oak notes mirror the maduro wrapper's caramelized sugar and the cigar's espresso and leather core. A wheated bourbon like W.L. Weller Special Reserve also works beautifully, as does a ripe Lodi Zinfandel or a dark roast cold brew.
Is Diamond Crown Black Diamond Torpedo good for beginners?
It's approachable for newcomers to maduro wrappers, but the Medium-Full strength and $18–$24 price point make it a better fit for smokers with some experience. If you've enjoyed a few milder cigars and want to explore darker, richer profiles, this is an excellent next step. Complete beginners might find the final third a bit intense.
Where can I buy Diamond Crown Black Diamond Torpedo?
This is a premium, hand-rolled cigar sold through authorized tobacconists, upscale cigar shops, and reputable online retailers that specialize in premium smokes. You won't find it at gas stations or convenience stores. Look for retailers that carry the full Diamond Crown line, and consider buying from shops that store their inventory in properly humidified conditions.
What is the price of Diamond Crown Black Diamond Torpedo?
Expect to pay between $18 and $24 per cigar, depending on the retailer and local taxes. That places it in the premium tier but well below many comparable Dominican maduros. Box purchases often bring the per-cigar cost down slightly.
Is Diamond Crown Black Diamond Torpedo worth aging?
Yes, though it's already enjoyable fresh. The tobaccos are aged before rolling — General Cigar doesn't disclose the specific duration — and the Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper will continue to develop. Six to twelve months in a stable humidor at 65–68% RH will soften any remaining edges and deepen the dried fruit and molasses notes. Longer aging, three to five years, can yield even more complexity.
What wrapper does Diamond Crown Black Diamond Torpedo use?
It uses a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper — deep espresso brown, lightly oily, with subtle tooth. This wrapper is the cigar's defining feature, contributing natural sweetness, earthiness, and the dark cocoa and molasses notes that characterize the blend. Broadleaf Maduro is known for its thick, flavorful leaves and excellent combustion properties.
Where is Diamond Crown Black Diamond Torpedo made?
It's hand-rolled at the MATASA factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. MATASA is General Cigar's Dominican production facility, known for consistent construction and rigorous quality control. The Dominican binder and long-fillers are aged prior to rolling, though General Cigar doesn't publicly disclose the specific aging duration.