Stogie Reviews: Diamond Crown Julius Caeser Pyramid

The J.C. Newman Cigar Company, best known for its Cuesta-Rey and Diamond Crown cigars, was founded in 1895. That’s the year a young Julius Caeser Newman crafted his first cigars in the family barn in Cleveland.

These days the Tampa-based company is honoring its originator and celebrating its 115th birthday with a new blend. Called Julius Caeser, the cigar line is the second Diamond Crown spinoff (the first being Maximus). Its Ecuadorian wrapper and “smooth, robust blend of Central American tobaccos” are the result of “years of testing blends, perfecting quality, and aging.”

“Over the years I have developed a fondness for cigars that have a certain ‘something,’” says Eric Newman, current president of J.C. Newman. “I can’t put it into words in a flavor profile, but I can tell you that our new Diamond Crown Julius Caeser cigars have it.”

The blend is available in leather cabinets of 20 cigars and sold exclusively at Diamond Crown Cigar Lounges. It is offered in four sizes: Robusto (4.75 x 52), Toro (6 x 52), Churchill (7.25 x 52), and Pyramid (6.5 x 52), each of which are adorned with the likeness of J.C. Newman dressed as the famous Roman general.

The Pyramid has a near-flawless exterior leaf, a moderately spongy feel, and soft pre-light notes of hay and caramel. Once an even burn is established, it yields a mild-mannered tasted of peppery spice and sweet graham cracker. There’s an indefinable flavor present, one that I’ve noticed in a few other mild cigars but that’s far easier to experience than it is to describe.

At the midway point and beyond it becomes clear that the Pyramid isn’t going to intensify in body or strength. Those who enjoy the cigar’s mild profile at the outset will be satisfied; others will be frustrated as they hope in vain for additional life to spring into the Julius Caeser. Either way, you’re better off pairing this cigar with a wine, a crisp beer, or a cup of coffee than a fuller-bodied spirit. Bourbons and rums are likely to drown out the subtlety of the light smoke.

The three Pyramids I sampled for this review each exhibited outstanding construction, including a straight burn, a nice draw, and a finely layered white ash. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a cigar that retails in the pricey $15-18 range.

But I was hoping for more in the flavor department. While I’ve long been a defender of mild cigars and naysayer of pepperbombs that are as subtle as a Michael Bay movie, the Julius Caeser just doesn’t have the complexity one would anticipate from a cigar with such a high price tag. I ultimately award it three stogies out of five based on its merits.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys