Diesel Wicked IPA Toro Review

Overview

The Diesel Wicked IPA Toro is a bold and deliberate exercise in thematic cigar-making, one that succeeds on its own terms without sacrificing the fundamental pleasures of a well-constructed smoke. Released circa 2016–2017 as part of Diesel’s Unholy Cocktail Series—a line conceived to bridge the worlds of craft beer and cigars—the Wicked IPA was developed in collaboration with master blender AJ Fernandez at General Cigar’s La Romana factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Its brief is explicit: to complement and echo the character of a hop-forward India Pale Ale. That it does so with genuine nuance, rather than mere novelty, earns it a place of respect among the more thoughtful entries in the increasingly crowded craft-beverage-inspired cigar niche. The Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper is the cigar’s visual and tactile signature: a deep, almost black leaf with a light tooth and moderate oils, suggesting an earthy, rich smoke. Underneath lies a Nicaraguan binder and a blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican long-fillers, aged at the factory level. The result is a medium-full smoke that unfurls with intention. From the first light, the Wicked IPA announces itself with dark cocoa and roasted espresso, but it’s the subtle herbal bitterness—deliberately evocative of hop resins—that sets it apart. Cedar and toasted grain build a dry, tannic frame, and the experience deepens through a second third of leather, dried fig and raisin, and a persistent earthiness. The retrohale introduces a black pepper spice that remains refined, never harsh. In the final third, the strength builds: espresso and dark chocolate intensify, the bitterness sharpens into something akin to a West Coast IPA’s finish, and the cigar closes with a dry, faintly sweet cocoa linger. This is not a cigar designed to astonish the connoisseur with layered complexity—but it is a cigar designed with integrity. The construction is generally solid for its price tier: a draw that trends toward firm but rarely fights back, a burn that stays even with an occasional need for correction, and a firm light grey ash that holds an inch or more. What makes the Wicked IPA noteworthy is its honesty. The hop-like topnotes are not a gimmick layered on a indifferent blend; they arise naturally from the choice of wrapper and the balance of the filler tobaccos. It punches well above its $10–$14 price point, offering a 90-minute experience that rewards attention but never demands it. For the craft-beer enthusiast making a first foray into premium cigars, or for the Diesel loyalist seeking a departure from the brand’s more aggressive profiles, the Wicked IPA stands as a testament to what a well-executed concept can achieve.