March 20th, 2017 – Austin, Texas The first day of Spring brings with it a fresh shipment of our Rose of Sharon blend that will soon be available in a limited number of valued retail locations. The blend that was announced August 2016 is now headed for a retailer near you. The Rose of Sharon embraces a unique blend that will enhance the current Southern Draw Cigars core line including the Kudzu – Oscuro and Firethorn – Rosado blends.A very well-balanced cigar with Mild Body – Medium Flavor.
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
“The natural cloud cover of Ecuador has supplied us with a prized wrapper, a velvety feel, gentle sweetness and a toasty burn, our beloved Nicaragua has gifted us with rich and elegant binder and filler tobaccos while the distinct Piloto Cubano of the Dominican Republic adds a dose of boldness and spice that allows this blend live up to its moniker. “She don’t know she’s beautiful!’ said Robert Holt the Chief Evangelist of Southern Draw Cigars.
Besides the apparent beauty of The Rose of Sharon in its semi box pressed format, the release is a celebration of Grace and the devotion of Sharon Holt as she continues her daily service via strong faith and daily fellowship. “Much like a Rose, Sharon exemplifies our brand with her beautiful soul, humility anda “subtle” boldness which has made an incredible impact on so many lives. We truly needed to acknowledge her, continued Holt.”
The current release is likely SOLD OUT but we can add current Southern Draw Cigars retail partners to the list if they are interested in the blend. For those retailers who just can’t wait until July 2017, there are 500 more of the elegant hand-made petacas 0r cigar cases, containing 2 Toro 6×52 from the initial 2,000 cigars produced at AJ Fernandez, in Esteli, Nicaragua. The Company will now begin taking pre-orders for the 2nd release of 660 boxes currently scheduled for IPCPR 2017.
Southern Draw Cigars will post a list of the initial retailers within the next week. Available sizes:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Viso: Nicaraguan Seco: Nicaraguan Ligero: Piloto Cubano, Dominican
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez
Blender: Robert Holt
Number of reviewers: 5 – Dave W. (mdwest) Mickey T.(irratebass) Isaac M.(The Nothing) Eric(smalls29) Adam B.(Bushboy)
Price: $9.50
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: March 2017
Contributed by: Southern Draw Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 90
“You had me at closed foot. This lightly boxed-pressed cigar had an absolutely glowing, golden-hued Connecticut wrapper. Care had been taken to roll the veins of the wrapper leaf to reduce their appearance an gave it a delicate feel.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Aroma: 89
“Mostly grass or hay type notes are present on the foot pre light.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Flavor: 88
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Right away there is a sweetness that I have never experienced with a cigar before. The way to describe it is a mixture of honey and syrup, almost like a bowl of cereal. This would pair excellently with coffee, which i wish i had right now. I’m afraid to ash, it’s such a beautiful white/gray color. I’m also afraid it’s gonna ruin my perfect burn.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Extremely mild smoke that tastes of nougat and graham cracker. Ash hangs on for about an inch before falling off completely. Very pleasant aroma thus far and burn has been straight and slow. Cool smoke.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Things start to shape up a little bit in the second third. The harshness of the smoke that was present in the first third has gone away by the second and the cigar is now velvety smooth and creamy. Flavors are still pretty light overall though and hard to pick up at times.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
“The second third was almost clearly marked as the ash fell from the cigar and there was a decided change in the retrohale from a strong cedar to a light oak. The body increased slightly and showed an ever increasing trend in that category. Oak notes were also seen on the palate accomanying the main flavor of corn flakes. From time to time I could also pick up notes of the pepper that vanished just after lighting.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Flavor: 88
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The final third is identical to the second third with no changes in flavor or strength detected.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
“The final third shared a common trend first the first two: cereal grains and wood. Those two components varied at times from puff to puff, be it oatmeal and cedar, cornflakes and oak, or a blend of them all.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 92
“A very good draw with just the right amount of resistance offered with each puff.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Burn: 93
“Burn stayed true for the entire session. Never had to touch up, and never wavered to far from even.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Construction: 89
“Obviously a very well constructed stick with no performance problems experienced at any time.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 89
“Overall a decent cigar that might pair well with a morning cup of coffee. Its simple, but pleasant, and I would gladly smoke another if given the chance.” –Dave W. (mdwest)
“This was one fantastic cigar! It smells like baked bread and a syrupy sweetness before even lighting it. Then when you light it you continue to get that sweetness along with some nuts, and oatmeal. This cigar would pair well with morning coffee, and I feel that this could be your 1st or even last smoke of the day. I want more!!!” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“While this might not be a cigar I reach for on a regular basis by any means, it still turned out to be a good cigar, and one I wouldn’t have a problem referring. As cigars on the market tend to get lean towards fuller flavored and fuller bodied, it’s nice to have something that is much lighter all around and is more easily approachable.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“Overall a nice, flavorful smoke. The taste f burnt wood and charred beef were awesome, The grassy notes and peppery tingle were the icing on the cake. I may have rated this one as medium but it could be rated and mild to medium. My only complaint is the time was too quick. I would have liked more time to enjoy it. It will pair nicely with a cup of strong coffee on a cool day.” –Eric (smalls29)
“A touch more mild than I prefer, although overall this was a pretty tasty cigar. Burn and aroma where fantastic, and the flavors would compliment a day by the pool. I would definitely smoke this again in the future.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Blind Cigar Review: Southern Draw | Rose of Sharon Toro
Summary
"This was one fantastic cigar! It smells like baked bread and a syrupy sweetness before even lighting it. Then when you light it you continue to get that sweetness along with some nuts, and oatmeal. This cigar would pair well with morning coffee, and I feel that this could be your 1st or even last smoke of the day. I want more!!!" -Mickey T. (irratebass)
