In July 2017, Drew Estate Announces the third version of their Undercrown cigar. The Drew Estate | Undercrown Sun Grown Gran Toro has an Ecuadorian Sumatra Sun Grown wrapper, Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut/Cured Sun Grown Habano binder, and fillers all from Nicaragua. One ligero leaf in particular, has been extensively aged from the Nueva Segovia region along the border with Honduras they say increases the strength.
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.
This cigar comes in the following sizes: Corona (5 5/8 x 46) MSRP $205.00/25ct Box, Robusto (5 x 54) MSRP $212.00/25ct Box, Gran Toro (6 x 52) MSRP $225.50/25ct Box, Belicoso (6 x 52) MSRP $246.00/ 25ct Box, Gordito (6 x 60) MSRP $280.00/25ct Box, Corona Doble (7 x 54) MSRP $259.50/ 25ct Box, Flying Pig (3 15/16 x 60) MSRP $152.64/12ct Box. The blend is a collaboration between the liga privada rollders and Master Blender Willy Herrera. It is said that the tried to secure this Sumatra Ecuador tobacco for over 15 years. Widespread release took place shortly after IPCPR 2017.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Sun Grown
Binder: Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut/Cured Sun Grown Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blender: Willy Herrera
Number of reviewers: 5 – John A.(John A.) Matthew T.(A Huge Nerd) Dave W. (mdwest) Eric(smalls29) Ryan H.(Ryan H.)
Price: $9.02
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: September 2017
Contributed by: Drew Estate Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 89
“A very beautifully wrapped medium brown toro cigar with nearly invisible seems and veins. Firm construction and perfect draw complement this stick” –John A. (John A.)
Aroma: 88
“The aroma is somewhat faint, but has some nice notes. The wrapper smells of cedar, while the foot has notes of sweet aged tobacco and leather. I totally forgot to get a cold draw on this one… it happens. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Flavor: 86
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Upon lighting I am greeted with sweet nuttiness with some char. This quickly tapers off into flavors of tobacco, dark chocolate, and a citrusy saltiness. Towards the end of the third it developed an overwhelmingly sweet leather flavor follow by salt, which becomes a put off. ” –John A. (John A.)
“This has a wonderful start with flavors of wood and leather. The taste is on the bitter side but very nice. Woody flavors are slightly predominant but not overpowering.” –Eric (smalls29)
Second Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The second third is much more impressive with the main notes of graham cracker and honey intensifying. Everything becomes more thick to a burnt sugar not sweet enough to be called carmel but good none the less. The cigar is very easy morning smoke. It does have a weird misplaced finish best discribed as the outer green shell of a walnut. What is best about this cigar so far is the same notes just gradually get thicker and thicker, its a wonderful gradual transition to be a part of.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“The middle continues with some nice hints of sweet and spice. Something like graham cracker joins the flavor profile, and is a nice mix with that tobacco sweetness. The retrohale is has mellowed nicely. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Again a wonderful flavor of smoke and leather. This has had a nice balance throughout with the flavors remaining constant. No bitterness yet and hopefully will remain smooth throught the end.” –Eric (smalls29)
“The final third ramps up nicely. A boost of strength really adds another dimension to the overall flavor profile. Even with the extra kick, the body and texture is smooth and buttery. Some baking spices and wood notes round it all out, while the retrohale sees the pepper come back with a nice kick at the end. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“I dont believe any improvement could be made on the draw of this cigar. It offered just the right amount of resistance for my liking. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Burn: 91
“It was a burn that I didn’t have to worry about, or even think about. It just burned clean and smooth, all the way through. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Construction: 92
“Clearly a well constructed cigar that was aesthetically pleasing to look at and performed as expected from beginning to end. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 89
“This Cigar was definitely not for me as the profile didn’t agree with my preferences. Those who like extremely dark and strong cigars will love this I’m sure however. I am ready to take a midday nap!” –John A. (John A.)
“This was such an enjoyable cigar. It was not a powerhouse, and it was not overly complex, but it was flavorful all the way. I enjoyed each puff, and the sweet/spice mix was really a nice combo at the end of the day. It also looked beautiful, and had no performance issues, so no extra work on the part of the smoker in order to enjoy the cigar. This one would have a place in my humidor. ” –Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
“While things started slowing in the first inch or so of the cigar, they improved quickly, and the stick developed into a very nice smoke. I’d gladly smoke this one again, and might be in for picking up a 5’ver once the reveal is made. ” –Dave W. (mdwest)
“This one was good from beginning to end. The pre light aroma of leather and wood were beautiful. The flavors were nicely meshed with a nice smokey hint like a campfire. The wood flavor was noce but the leather notes added to the overall experience. One I would liek to have again and again.” –Eric (smalls29)
“Was an enjoyable smoke the slow transition is one thing i can say i loved about this cigar. Usally while smoking a cigar there is a difinitive moment that i can detect a change, not with this cigar there is always a little left from the draw before that helps it graduate to the next draw” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
Blind Cigar Review: Drew Estate | Undercrown Sun Grown Gran Toro
Summary
"This was such an enjoyable cigar. It was not a powerhouse, and it was not overly complex, but it was flavorful all the way. I enjoyed each puff, and the sweet/spice mix was really a nice combo at the end of the day. It also looked beautiful, and had no performance issues, so no extra work on the part of the smoker in order to enjoy the cigar. This one would have a place in my humidor. " -Matthew T. (A Huge Nerd)
Second Third
