Diamond Crown Maximus Double Robusto 5x56

I've got a friend named Tony who lives in Pennsylvania who travels a lot for work.  As part of his travels, Nashville is a location he finds himself in on almost a annual basis.  Of course, with Covid his travels have been greatly curtailed, a fact I know he is thrilled about, but when he travels, he travels well.  Tony is intentional about spending times with his friends in every city he finds himself in, and thanks to an expense account that really has no limit, Tony always makes sure that time spent with friends in each town he finds himself is full of good food, good drink, and good cigards.

It's been a couple of months since Tony and I last saw each other, but the memory of our last time together is still fresh on my mind, meaning it is something I want to share with you all.  Our time together started at the Music City Center where Tony was wrapping up his day on the show floor, and since parking in Nashville is expensive, we decided to walk to Martin's BBQ which was only a few blocks away, knowing that a new cigar bar was only a few blocks away, again our intent being to walk.

Upon arriving at our destination, signs indicated our chosen place to enjoy cigars was under new ownership, and as such, not open yet for the enjoyment of said cigars.  In prior years, we had enjoyed the ambience at Blend Bar, which closely aligns themselves with Davidoff.  The decision was made to retrieve the car, and head up to Blend for the continuation of our evening.

If you haven't been to Blend Bar, I highly recomend it.  The staff offers a truly unique smoking and drinking experience, of course the level of service is reflected in the prices, but remember I mentioned the expense account Tony has, so in theory, price on this particular evening was not an issue.

Years ago I enjoyed a Diamond Crown cigar, in fact I wrote about it here, and it was a fantastic cigar.  Seeing the Maximus in the humidor, I made my selection and ordered an Old Fashioned to accompany the smoke.  I requested the Old Fashioned slightly sweet, and the server obliged bringing a fanatastic drink to our chosen sitting arrangements.

At Blend Bar, the server lights the cigars for you as well as cutting or punching depending on your preferred smoking style.  Being presented a perfectly toasted and lit cigar, the serve holds a flame for a final touchup as the cigar comes to life, bringing with it an exceptional smoking experience.

The Maximus is a great smoke, full flavored from the very first pull of smoke.  Initial tasting notes offered hints of cedar, with a very subtle undertone of cinnamon, perhaps that being brought out by the sweetness of the drink I was pairing with this cigar.  As the cigar developed an ash, pepper with a slight spiciness where on full display, but the prevailing slight sweetness offered up by the initial cedar tasting notes served as a foundation to this excellent cigar.

Conversation turned from work, to families, to our dreams of retirement.  Tony discussed at length his hunting cabin he had purchased, calling me out on being too much of a city boy to be able to survive in it. The truth is, he's probably correct, especially when he stated no running water or toilets inside.  Of course, I don't hunt either, but for a day trip, I can certainly see myself sitting on the porch enjoing a drink while puffing on a cigar - perhaps the Maximus?  

Ironically, much like myself, the Maximus is very much a city boy in and of itself.  Its refined, not rough around the edges.  The time that went into developing the blend is evident.  It is not a cigar that was thrown together willy-nilly, rather the depth and complexity the cigar offers is a direct result of the blenders intentionality in creating a truly great smoking experience, and while sophistication isn't required to enjoy it, an apprecaition for exceptional cigars enhances the enjoyment of the cigar.

Sadly, as our drinks ran dry, our cigars found their way to extinction, meaning our time together was quickly drawing to a close.  Friendship, like a good cigar or great drink, is something that once enjoyed, you find yourself looking for again and again and again, and despite the distance that normally separates us, sitting down for dinner, drinks, cigar and a conversation almost immediately picks up where it was last left off.  Most likely, and as a direct result of Covid, we proabaly won't have a chance to see eachother for the next few months, but when time and travel does allow meeting again, drinks and a cigar will serve as the foundation for the continuation of the conversation yet to be finished.

If life is a journey, and make no mistake, it is a journey, then friendship serves as a fuel to move you along.  Take none of it for granted.  Make the most of it.  Enjoy it.  Maximize it.  Cherish it.  And if a cigar, perhaps even a Diamond Crown Maximus happens to be part of that journey, I for one know, that you are the better for it.

Until we smoke again...