AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet confidence to the Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2 that announces itself before the first puff. This is not a cigar that shouts for attention; it earns it through a slow, deliberate unraveling of flavor that feels less like a smoke and more like a conversation with the Dominican soil. The torpedo’s cap is a work of art, a triple-cap construction that feels dense and purposeful in the hand. The Colorado Maduro wrapper, with its deep reddish-brown hue and subtle oily sheen, promises richness, yet the cold draw whispers of restraint—cream, toasted almond, and a faint, almost teasing note of dried apricot that hints at the sweetness to come. Lighting it is an act of anticipation, and the first third rewards that patience with a wave of silky cream that coats the palate, layered over medium-bodied cedar and a light, airy oak. There is a vanilla bean sweetness here, a gentle milk chocolate undertone that feels less like dessert and more like a refined elegance, a testament to the five-year aging of the filler and binder leaves that have stripped away any harshness before the flame ever touches the foot.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade (on select blends) — Note: Diamond Crown Maximus is primarily known for a Connecticut Broad — Colorado Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Dominican Republic aged long-fillers, blended with aged Nicaraguan leaf for backbone — tobaccos aged a minimum of five y |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic — General Cigar's La Romana facility |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6.0 x 54 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $18–$24 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Minimum five years of tobacco aging on filler and binder leaves; wrapper aged separately; cigars box-rested post-rolling |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with rich cream, toasted almond, and a whisper of dried apricot. Once lit, the first third delivers a generous wave of smooth creaminess layered over medium-bodied cedar and light oak. A subtle sweetness reminiscent of vanilla bean and light milk chocolate rounds out the initial profile with impressive elegance.
Second Third
The midsection introduces a pleasing transition as the creaminess yields to more developed notes of roasted espresso, worn leather, and a hint of dried fig. The Dominican terroir asserts itself with a mild earthiness and a touch of white pepper on the retrohale. Construction remains exemplary, and complexity builds steadily without aggression.
Final Third
The final third deepens with toasted walnut, dark caramel, and a sustained cedar note that adds dryness and structure. A mild spice develops at the taper of the torpedo, complementing the lingering sweetness. The finish is long, clean, and satisfying — no bitterness, a hallmark of properly aged Dominican tobacco.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exceptional — a hallmark of General Cigar's La Romana production; the torpedo draws effortlessly with just the right resistance, burns arrow-straight with a firm, silver-white ash that holds well past an inch. An extremely well-built cigar with consistent draw throughout.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A aged rhum agricole (Rhum Clement XO or Appleton Estate 21 Year) or a well-aged single malt Scotch from the Speyside region (Glenfarclas 21 or Balvenie 17 Doublewood) — the sweetness and oak of both complement the cigar's creamy, cedar-driven profile without overwhelming it.
Wine
A Dominican tobacco classic pairing — aged Rioja Reserva (López de Heredia Viña Tondonia) or a Burgundian Pinot Noir with moderate tannin; the earthiness and red fruit harmonize beautifully with the cigar's leather and dried fruit notes.
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Colombian pour-over coffee with medium roast — light acidity and caramel sweetness mirror the second-third flavor evolution; alternatively a cold brew with cream to echo the cigar's dominant creamy character.
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a humidor full of bold, peppery Nicaraguans but finds himself reaching for them less and less. He’s the one who, after a long week of closing deals and navigating noise, craves a quiet Sunday afternoon on the porch with a book he’s already read. He appreciates the craftsmanship of a well-built watch or a perfectly aged Scotch, and he’s looking for a cigar that mirrors that same sense of considered depth. He’s smoked enough to know that strength isn’t a virtue, but complexity is. He wants a smoke that will evolve with him over the course of an hour and a half, offering new dimensions with each third, without ever demanding his full attention. This cigar gives him that—a sophisticated, unhurried companion that rewards his patience with a clean, satisfying finish and a lingering sense of having experienced something truly well-made.
Bottom Line
The Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2 is a masterclass in balance and restraint, a cigar that proves aged Dominican tobacco needs no theatrics to command respect. It’s a sophisticated, deeply satisfying smoke that rewards the aficionado who has traded the chase for strength with a pursuit of nuance. Buy it, light it, and let the quiet confidence of La Romana do the rest.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2 a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on our strength scale. This means it delivers a satisfying mouthfeel and a gentle nicotine hum, but it will not overwhelm you with power or leave you feeling lightheaded. The strength is present to support the flavor profile, not to dominate it, making it an excellent choice for a long, contemplative session.
What does Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2 taste like?
The flavor journey begins with rich cream, toasted almond, and a whisper of dried apricot on the cold draw. The first third delivers creamy cedar, light oak, and a subtle vanilla bean sweetness. The second third transitions to roasted espresso, worn leather, and dried fig, with a mild earthiness and white pepper on the retrohale. The final third deepens with toasted walnut, dark caramel, and a sustained cedar note that provides a dry, structured finish.
How long does Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2 take to smoke?
As a 6.0 x 54 Torpedo, you should set aside approximately 90 minutes to fully enjoy this cigar. The tapered head focuses the draw, while the generous ring gauge provides ample tobacco to burn slowly and coolly, allowing the flavor profile to evolve through its three distinct acts without feeling rushed.
What is the best pairing for Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2?
For a spirit pairing, an aged rhum agricole like Rhum Clement XO or a Speyside single malt such as Glenfarclas 21 is ideal. Their inherent sweetness and oak notes complement the cigar's creamy, cedar-driven profile without overpowering it. If you prefer wine, an aged Rioja Reserva like López de Heredia Viña Tondonia offers earthy red fruit that harmonizes beautifully with the cigar's leather and dried fig notes from the second third.
Is Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2 good for beginners?
While the strength is approachable at Medium, the $18–$24 per cigar price point and its nuanced, evolving profile make it a less-than-ideal starting point for a novice. A beginner might miss the subtle transitions from vanilla cream to espresso and leather. This is a cigar for someone who has developed their palate enough to appreciate the sophistication of aged Dominican tobacco, rather than someone still acclimating to the ritual.
Where can I buy Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2?
Given its small-batch, limited production nature, your best bet is a well-established brick-and-mortar tobacconist that carries premium lines from General Cigar and J.C. Newman. For online purchases, reputable retailers like Corona Cigar Co., Famous Smoke Shop, or Neptune Cigars are reliable sources. Be wary of deep discounts, as this is a premium product that rarely sees significant markdowns outside of authorized dealers.
What is the price of Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2?
The suggested retail price is between $18 and $24 per cigar. This places it firmly in the premium tier, reflecting the five-year aging process on the filler and binder, the separately aged wrapper, and the meticulous hand-rolled construction at the La Romana facility. It is an investment in a premium smoking experience, not an everyday value smoke.
Is Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2 worth aging?
While the tobaccos are already aged a minimum of five years and the cigars are box-rested post-rolling, this blend has the structure to reward further humidor time. The medium body and balanced profile suggest that 2-3 more years of careful aging could allow the cedar and cream notes to further integrate with the earthier elements, creating an even more seamless and mellow experience. However, it is also highly enjoyable now, so don't feel you must wait.
What wrapper does Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2 use?
The Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2 uses a Colorado Maduro wrapper, which is a Connecticut Broadleaf leaf grown in Ecuador. This is a key distinction from the standard Diamond Crown line, which uses a Connecticut Shade wrapper. The Broadleaf seed in this context provides the deep reddish-brown color, a subtle oily sheen, and contributes a touch of natural sweetness and a silky texture that complements the aged Dominican fillers perfectly.
Where is Diamond Crown Vintage Maximus No. 2 made?
It is hand-rolled at General Cigar's La Romana facility in Santiago, Dominican Republic. This is a significant detail, as La Romana is renowned for its rigorous quality control and the skill of its torcedores. The triple-cap torpedo construction is a hallmark of this facility, ensuring an effortless draw and an arrow-straight burn that is a signature of the Diamond Crown brand's commitment to flawless construction.