The review hiatus is over! My sincerest of apologies for the delay, but the muse is back and it’s high time I share another great cigar with you. Up first is the Diesel Salomon Hair of the Dog, and boy are you guys (and gals!) in for a treat. I’ve had numerous Diesels in the past, and they’ve often proven to be mediocre. I’m hoping the Hair of the Dog will see me singing a different tune.

Vitola:

What can I say about a Salomon? This 7.1×58 cigar is monstrous. The shape – roughly ovaloid – is unmistakable. This is the kind of cigar your pappy used to smoke. It’s long, it’s thick (there’s a joke in here somewhere…), and it packs a punch. This particular stogie features a flawless Ecuadoran habano wrapper, oozing with oils. Never judge a cigar by its appearance alone, but so far we’ve got a winner.

Smoke:

1st third: The draw on this bad boy is perfect. I don’t mean pretty good or nice. Perfect. There’s no tension in my jaw and I can tell this will be a great smoke. Initial flavors include smooth tobacco and a little bit of nuttiness. A hint of cocoa makes its way into the first third, but it is strongly masked by the tobacco. This Salomon gives off quite a bit of smoke, which is always enjoyable, but be aware of your surroundings. Not everyone enjoys a face full of cigar smoke (you can’t hold others accountable for poor taste), so if you like to smoke indoors keep this in mind.

2nd third: Flavors have become very robust. The complexity of this smoke is surprising, as I’ve been burned by Diesels in the past (cigar puns!). Leather, pepper, and nuttiness are prominent here. I would warn the inexperienced smoker about enjoying this stick on an empty stomach. It’s a full bodied ass kicker, so turn away now if you don’t think you can hack it. Second third flavors vary little as the cigar burns down. The burn itself is great, and thus far has needed no correcting. This is often my experience with wider gauge cigars, and coupled with the full bodied nature, you should have no problem taking your time and letting the burn stay even.

Final third: The cigar has reached its crescendo. Cocoa, coffee, and a touch of earthiness fill the palate. A hint of pepper is present and accentuates the more prominent flavors. This is a nice change for a full bodied cigar, as they tend to be quite peppery. The foot is ringed by a nice corona of oil, and in the quiet of my backyard, you can hear the warm crackle of tobacco with every drag. I’ve smoked this bad boy down to ash, and it’s been a worthwhile experience the whole way through.

Smoking Time:

Smoking time was 93 minutes, to be expected from a cigar this size. The oily wrapper helped to slow down the burn, as long as you don’t puff too quickly (easier said than done with such a tasty treat).

Verdict:

I started this cigar with an open mind despite my prior dealings with Diesel, and I was not disappointed. The Hair of the Dog delivered a  more than satisfactory smoke with excellent flavors and a good kick. I could see this finding a regular place in my humidor, which is the best accolade I can give.