Diesel Cigars and Rabbit Hole Bourbon and Rye are marking their third collaboration with their Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection Boxergrail cigar. In creating Boxergrail, the project brought together two masters of their respective crafts: gifted cigar maker AJ Fernandez and Kaveh Zamanian, founder and whiskey maker of Rabbit Hole.
Developed by Justin Andrews, the Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection was blended and handcrafted at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez in Estelí, Nicaragua. The cigar also underwent a proprietary aging process developed by AJ.
“With Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection, we set out to take our partnership with Rabbit Hole to a deeper level,” said Mr. Andrews. “Aging tobacco in rye barrels is completely unique in the handmade cigar space and I believe that we have created a cigar that will stand apart in a crowded marketplace.”
The limited-edition blend boasts a proprietary Nicaraguan Habano binder leaf that has been aged in handcrafted, wood fired toasted and charred #3 new American oak barrels, the same barrels used to age Rabbit Hole Founder’s Collection Boxergrail Rye Whiskey. The barrels impart nuances of caramel, black pepper, vanilla and a hint of citrus to the binder leaves. This special binder surrounds a core of spicy Nicaraguan Habano filler tobaccos and the cigars are finished with a rich Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The result is a Maduro cigar that delivers a full sensory experience.
“AJ, Kaveh and I agree this blend is one of the most versatile and provocative cigars we’ve ever smoked,” added Mr. Andrews. “And we believe it’s because we were guided by a mutual commitment to innovation. By giving the binder leaf its own personality and introducing the complexity of rye whiskey, we’ve created what we believe to be the ultimate cigar, one that pairs beautifully yet also makes a statement on its own.”
“As a longtime cigar smoker, I believe that pairing cigars with whiskey is an art,” said Mr. Zamanian. “It is for this reason that I instinctually selected our highly-regarded Boxergrail Founder’s Collection Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey casks for this collaboration. I knew that these exceptional barrels would lend intriguing notes to the tobacco and would elevate the smoking experience.”
Diesel Whiskey Row Founder’s Collection Boxergrail is produced as a singular frontmark. The 6”x52 Toro is presented in elegant boxes that mirror the packaging of Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. Suggested retail for Boxergrail will be $15.79 per-cigar and $157.90 for a 10-count box.
Diesel Whiskey Row debuted in June 2018 and marked the first collaboration between Diesel Cigars and Rabbit Hole. It was the first cigar to feature a binder leaf aged in Rabbit Hole’s bourbon barrels and generated a significant following among cigar lovers nationwide. The partnership expanded in 2019 with the launch of Diesel Whiskey Row Sherry Cask which was met with critical acclaim.
“Given Rabbit Hole’s focus on bringing one-of-a-kind innovations to life, it is a pleasure to have played a role in introducing rye barrel aging to the handmade cigar category,” added Mr. Zamanian. “I’m looking forward to sharing this great blend with cigar and whiskey enthusiasts across the country.” CA
Executive Editor
Gary Korb has been writing and editing content for CigarAdvisor.com since its debut in 2008. An avid cigar smoker for over 30 years, he has worked on the marketing side of the premium cigar business as a Sr. Copywriter, blogger, and Executive Editor of Cigar Advisor. A graduate of the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, prior to his career in the cigar business, Gary worked in the music and video industry as a marketer and a publicist.
Show all Gary Korb's Articles
Reading Time: 2 minutes HVC Cigar Founder, Reinier Lorenzo has just released the second cigar line made at Fabrica de Tabacos HVC. It’s the HVC Seleccion No.1 Natural, the follow-up to last year’s HVC Seleccion No.1 Maduro line. For all the details, read on.
Reading Time: 3 minutes “Let all things be done with charity,” is Southern Draw Cigar’s motto for its annual IGNITE program that helps those in need. This Fall, three cigars have been added to help organizations representing U.S. Special Forces and fallen Border Patrol officers. Learn more here.
Reading Time: 3 minutes The leaves aren’t the only thing dropping…so are these new cigar releases from Macanudo, Steve Saka, and Camacho. See them all reviewed!
Reading Time: 6 minutes Some of the top cigarmakers in the world wrap their creations in Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco. See our Top 10 picks and discover which of these cigars YOU should be smoking!
