Drew Estate announced Pappy Van Winkle “TRADITION” back in July. This extremely limited supply brand was shown off at the IPCPR Convention and Tradeshow.. The Pappy Van Winkle Tradition is only available at Drew Diplomat Retailers.
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 Pappy Van Winkle Tradition has an Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper, Indonesian Binder and aged fillers from Nicaragua and Dominican Republic. Availability is limited. The Pappy Van Winkle Tradition is made in seven vitolas:
Coronita (4 x 46) MSRP $146.00/10ct Box
Robusto Grande (5.5 x 54) MSRP $216.00/10ct Box
Toro (6 x 50) MSRP $240.00/10ct Box
Belicoso Fino (5 x 50) MSRP $250.00/10ct Box
Churchill (7 x 48) MSRP $236.00 / 10ct Box Exclusively available at Drew Diplomat Spirits Retailers
Lonsdale (6.5 x 44) (Not for Sale) / Xct Box Exclusively at Drew Diplomat Rewards Events in October, November and December 2017
Corona (5.5 x 44) MSRP (Not for Sale) / 10ct Box Exclusively available from Jonathan Drew and Julian Van Winkle
The Pappy Van Winkle Tradition began shipping in October at the same time Old Rip Van Winkle releases their annual batch of their rare Bourbon and Rye.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Belicoso Fino
Length: 5″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Nicaraguan & Dominican Republic
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blender: Jonathan Drew, Willy Herrera
Number of reviewers: 5 – Ryan H.(Ryan H.) Steve (ThaGreatWazoo) Mickey T.(irratebass) John A.(John A.) David F. (dfafjf)
Price: $24.99
Age: 2 Months
Release Date: September 2017
Contributed by: Drew Estate Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 89
“This was a nice looking torpedo cigar. There was a nice softer dark brown wrapper that had a few lines in it. A shorter vitola, but felt really nice in the hand.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
Aroma: 86
“Fain manure smell on the body, and chocolate & wood on foot with a hint of manure. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Walnuts on the tongue right out of the gate. A really nice white ash is forming, and the cigar has transitioned into some sweetness in just the first couple of minutes the walnuts are no longer.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“The initial puffs provide a fruity sweetness with a hint of char. As it smokes down it mellows out into a smooth leather and creamy concoction. ” –John A. (John A.)
Second Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Into the second third the interesting thing about this cigar is the slow transition it is ever changing always something left from the last draw but also something new. The transition is at a snails pace, but constantly evolving into something diffrent. Flavors now being produced are mainly cedar with a minute light sweetness on the finish. A very mild spice almost non exsistant ” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Coming into the second third a rich spicy creaminess comes into play. This transitions into sweet licorice base with creaminess and eventually ends with a new shoe leather taste. ” –John A. (John A.)
Final Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The final third was quick and nice. A slight char began to develop, but was not overpowering. The profile held the cedar throughout and a bit more pepper came through. Not a bad finish, but nothing over-the-top.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“Still not much changes in the final 1/3. Barnyard, nutty flavors primarily present. Spice / pepper in the retro hale remains at a lite to medium level. I believe the spice present in the retro hale is my favorite aspect of the cigar so far. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 92
“Very nice open draw. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
Burn: 91
“The burn was actually pretty good considering the wrapper falling off in the third. I only had to retouch it up in the the third, so that was nice. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
Construction: 85
“The construction was good. Nothing fancy, just a nice clean cut and rolled cigar. Definitely had the mass produce feel to it, but was nice.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“This is a very interesting cigar. It started out with some woody abrasiveness, but just a few draws in it transforms into a very complex maze. It has a astonishing combination of flavors. Definatly box worthy smoke. They did a great job.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
“Overall, this was a decent afternoon smoke. I enjoyed it, but really it did not leave any real memories with it. It was a good quick smoke that did not over-produce or overwhelm me. Perfect for a get together with the friends, but nothing to age or chase.” –Steve (ThaGreatWazoo)
“This was a good cigar that held my attention with all the transitions from wood to sweet honey. I could smoke more, just not sure I would buy any. ” –Mickey T. (irratebass)
“Overall this cigar was “decent”. It wasn’t bad nor was it great. It had its moments where complexity peaked during the second third, but was flat before and after. While the flavor profiles were pleasant, this is a one and done for me. ” –John A. (John A.)
“The cigar had some nice flavor notes but somewhat one dimensional. I really enjoyed the flavors and pepper present in the retro hale throughout the cigar but not of lot of progression as I smoked through the cigar. Before lighting the cigar looked beautiful but sadly the wrapper fell apart shorting after. I do not believe this impacted the smoke other than the appearance. ” –David F. (dfafjf)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 59
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Blind Cigar Review: Drew Estate | Pappy Van Winkle Tradition Belicoso Fino
Overall Score – 89 – Good
Blind Cigar Review: Drew Estate | Pappy Van Winkle Tradition Belicoso Fino
Summary
"This is a very interesting cigar. It started out with some woody abrasiveness, but just a few draws in it transforms into a very complex maze. It has a astonishing combination of flavors. Definitely box worthy smoke. They did a great job." -Ryan H. (Ryan H.)
