Cigar Info
The Dram Cigars like of cigars from C&C is meant to be paired with Whiskey. Thy are a line of premium cigars created by Joe Chuisano, from C&C Cigars. These cigars are specially blended to enhance and highlight the flavors of your favorite whiskey, whether Bourbon, Scotch, Rye, or Tennessee style. Each line in the Dram series is meant to pair with a a specific type of whiskey with some brands even recommended.
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.
Dram Cask No. 3 is a spicy, medium to full-bodied blend with an undisclosed binder and filler that’s topped off with a hearty Habano wrapper. Dram Cask #3 was blended for the purpose of being paired with whiskey with a medium body that has notes of spice and wood particularly bourbons that have more spice to them and also ties to smokey whiskeys. Some of the recommended whiskeys are Wild Turkey 101, Angel’s Envy, Bulleit Bourbon, and Macallan 12.
In ancient Greece, a “dram” was a coin and a unit of measurement. In more recent etymology, “dram” refers to a small amount of spirit poured neat, especially scotch whisky.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Churchill
Length: 7″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Unisclosed
Factory: Unisclosed
Blender: Joe Chuisano
Number of reviewers: 5 —– Alan (Eulogy) Kent (Throck) Steve (ThaGreatWazoo) Robert (NavyPiper) Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Price: $10.50
Age: 7 Months
Release Date: July 2014
Contributed by: Dram (The Orleans Group)
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 91
“The stogie being reviewed tonight is a very nice looking Churchill, measuring 7×50. Dark brown in color and it has a mild sheen to it. Seams look good, a few prominent veins starting at the head and extending ¾ the length of the cigar. The head is flat.” –Robert (NavyPiper)
Aroma: 90
“There are some real strong pepper aromas coming off of the cigar. There was also a slight hint of a fruit possibly a blackberry that was coming off of the foot. Very nice pleasing aromas.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
First Third
Flavor: 94
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Full
“There’s a nice burnt cedar and sunflower seed nuttiness. The draw rounded out by a nice mild pepper that sits on the middle of the tounge adds. The retro-hale also has a nice blast of pepper to give the cigar a little more boldness. I only wish that the smoke output/thickness of the smoke was a little more.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“The flavors are not overly peppery to start, but a nice complexity greets you right away. It is a great combination of cedar, leather and nuts. The flavors are surprisingly dark based on its appearance. This cigar is just hitting the sweet spot so far flavor-wise, it’s classic, and so well balanced. Towards the end of the third, the flavors are still mostly wood and leather, but a hint of pepper.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Second Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The strength has increased slightly, over the first third. There is now a dry leather that has joined the profile, but it’s still mostly a burnt cedar and nuttiness that’s dominant on the draw. The retro-hale has also picked up notes of burnt cedar and pepper.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“The second third was not much a departure from the initial segment. Leather flavors were shining through boldly with almost a cashew-type flavor at the back. The cigar stepped up its complexity just a bit from the beginning.” –Kent (Throck)
Final Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Full
“The profile is the same as the previous third. Dry leather, cedar, a slight nuttiness, and pepper. There is a slight floral note on the draw but it much more prominent on the retro-hale.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“This third has actually taken a leap down in spiciness and let the flavors really shine through now. I’m getting a lot more of that nuttiness from the first two thirds along with some new sweetness like caramel and candy. The flavors are combining to a funnel cake flavor, I love it a lot.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 96
“There was an excellent drawn this cigar. I use a straight cut and it seemed to provide just the right amount of smoke as well as flavor and fullness to the mouth.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
Burn: 92
“There was a pretty wavy burn throughout, but it didn’t require any touch ups.” –Alan (Eulogy)
Construction: 90
“It was a real nice construction to the cigar. That’s a nice oily texture to it coupled with the dark brown wrapper was a very very nice treat.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Overall Experience: 93
“It was a solid average cigar. It had good flavors, but they were one a bit one dimensional and the length of the cigar didn’t help. I would smoke another one, but probably if I was reading a book or playing poker; some kind of activity that didn’t require a lot of attention.” –Alan (Eulogy)
“I think this is a cigar that needs to have a second chance. The first two thirds of the cigar were quite basic, yet enjoyable. Major construction issues put an damper on the otherwise nice smoke. I would like to season a few of these in my humidor and take them out in a year or so to try again.” –Kent (Throck)
“I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar. The strength and full body flavors were right up my alley and right in my wheelhouse for what I like. The ash, draw, and burn held consistent and were nice attributes that you did not have to worry about. Grab some of these and sit back and enjoy I promise you will.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“This was a great stogie. I normally don’t smoke Churchill‘s as the draw is usually a little too tight for me, but not this guy, it was great! And the flavors were amazing right from the start and lasted until the end. I was surprised at how much the change in pepper would affect the overall ‘flavor’ of the flavors, but it was not only very enjoyable, but educational to boot! I’ll take a box!” –Robert (NavyPiper)
“I really really really enjoyed this cigar. I have no guesses what it is because it hasn’t reminded me of anything I have had before, but if the price is right I will definitely be picking some up. The flavors were changing and complex, especially for a churchill. the flavor profile was right up my alley and if the other reviewers had a similar experience, I expect a high score.” –Emmett (BMP_Emmett)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 79
|
Reviewer
|
Appearance
|
Aroma
|
1/3
|
2/3
|
3/3
|
Draw
|
Burn
|
Constr.
|
Overall
Experience |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alan | Eulogy) | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 93 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| Kent | Throck) | 90 | 95 | 93 | 92 | 83 | 85 | 95 | 78 | 85 |
| Steve | ThaGreatWazoo) | 92 | 90 | 93 | 92 | 92 | 95 | 90 | 92 | 93 |
| Robert | NavyPiper) | 90 | 90 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 88 | 90 | 95 |
| Emmett | BMP_Emmett) | 92 | 85 | 95 | 92 | 92 | 100 | 95 | 88 | 95 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.