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The Diamond Crown Black Diamond Radiant packs the Black Diamond blend, dark Connecticut Havana leaf over Dominican tobacco, into a 4 1/2 x 54 robusto made by Tabacalera A. Fuente. J.C. Newman calls it full while Cigar Aficionado’s 2022 tasting rated it medium-full; we sell it as singles.
115 in stock
Description
The Diamond Crown Black Diamond Radiant is a robusto measuring 4 1/2 x 54, its dark Connecticut Havana leaf covering a Dominican binder and filler aged five years, per J.C. Newman. Tabacalera A. Fuente rolls it in the Dominican Republic as the stubbiest size of Diamond Crown Black Diamond.
What It Tastes Like
Cigar Aficionado’s latest note on the Radiant (Cigar Insider, November 2022, reprinted February 2023) came months after the stronger blend shipped: 88 points, medium-full, licorice out front over nuts, star anise, toffee and herbs, a sweet finish, and some burn and draw trouble. Reviews of the original blend: Cigar Aficionado 88 in October 2018 (earth, cedar, cocoa, licorice) and Cigar Coop 93 in May 2019 (mocha, cedar, earth, pepper).
Who It’s For
- Robusto smokers who want the Black Diamond blend in its shortest size.
- Licorice and cocoa fans, judging by the reviews.
- Diamond Crown regulars curious about a blend worked out with the Fuente family.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- 93 points from Cigar Coop for the original blend (May 2019)
- Binder and filler aged five years, according to J.C. Newman
- Made at Tabacalera A. Fuente in the Dominican Republic
Cons
- Cigar Aficionado’s 2022 tasting flagged an uneven draw and burn
- Strength reports split between full and medium-full
About Black Diamond
J.C. Newman launched Diamond Crown in 1995 for its 100th anniversary. The Newmans later developed Black Diamond, which debuted in 2016, with Carlos Fuente Sr. and Jr., and in 2022 the company reworked it to be stronger without changing its three sizes.
Pairing and Storage
With licorice and mocha in the reviews, we would reach for espresso or bourbon; browse our cigar pairing guide for stronger-cigar matches.
Compare Similar Cigars
- Diamond Crown Black Diamond Emerald: the identical blend stretched to a 6 x 52 toro.
- Diamond Crown Black Diamond Marquise: the same tobaccos in a heftier 5 1/4 x 56.
- Diamond Crown Maximus Robusto No. 5: Fuente also rolls this 5 x 50, which trades the Connecticut leaf for Ecuadorian sun-grown.
Diamond Crown Black Diamond Radiant FAQ
How strong is the Diamond Crown Black Diamond Radiant?
Sources differ. J.C. Newman rates the current blend full, while Cigar Aficionado’s November 2022 tasting called the Radiant medium-full, as did earlier reviews of the original blend.
What size is the Black Diamond Radiant?
J.C. Newman lists it at 4 1/2 x 54, the shortest of its three Black Diamond sizes.
Did the Black Diamond Radiant change in 2022?
Yes. In August 2022 J.C. Newman began shipping a stronger blend with a redesigned band and a footband, keeping the Radiant at 4 1/2 x 54, according to Cigar Aficionado.
How does the Radiant differ from the Emerald and Marquise?
Only in size: same blend, with the Emerald at 6 x 52 and the Marquise at 5 1/4 x 56.
The Radiant’s stablemates, from Black Diamond to Maximus, are gathered under J.C. Newman Cigar Company in our shop.
Additional information
| Packaging Type | Single |
|---|---|
| Strength | Full |
| Origin | |
| Wrapper | Connecticut Habano |
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Dominican Republic |
| Length | 4 1/2" |
| Gauge | 54 |
