Southern Draw Cigars debuted 300 Hands and 300 Manos at the 2018 IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas. The story behind these two blends is a fascinating one. These blends are meant to be an affordable cigar that also gives back to the people of Nicaragua.
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.
Sharon Holt says, “We want to share this story with the masses and have priced this cigar line in an unbeatable range of $5.99 – $6.49 while expanding our charitable giving strategy to Nicaragua. We will distribute 25% of our profits to those Nicaraguans that offered us their honest stories and identified specific needs in and around their own communities,” per Sharon Holt of Southern Draw.
“We hereby ask our valued retail and media partners to join us as we endeavor to share the stories of 300 Nicaraguan brothers and sisters, using their words, their emotions and their heartfelt pleas to help their neighbors. We have high hopes for a better Nicaragua as they fight to overcome decades old struggles that have just recently escalated into what has been deemed a newsworthy crisis. They are 300 HANDS and this is their story.” stated Robert Holt of Southern Draw.
Each blend is comes in five sizes all sold in 10 could bundles: Petit Edmundo – 4.75 x 52 – $5.99/cigar, Coloniales – 5.25 x 44 – $6.19/cigar, Corona Gorda – 5.625 x 46 – $6.29/cigar, Piramides – 6.125 x 52 – $6.39/cigar, Churchill – 7.0 x 48 – $6.49/cigar. A total of 15,000 cigars per vitola were made in the year 2018 in 2018 and shipped in October. The blend of the 300 Manos uses an Ecuador Habano wrapper, Cameroon binder, and filler from Nicaragua & Dominican Republic. The blend of the 300 Hands uses an Esteli, NicaraguaMaduro wrapper, binder form Indonesia, and filler from Nicaragua & Dominican Republic.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Torpedo Length: 6 1/8″ Ring Gauge: 52 Country of Origin: Nicaragua Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Binder: Cameroon Filler: Nicaraguan, Dominican Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Blender: Robert Holt Number of reviewers: 5 – Kevin J. (maninblack77) Isaac M. (The Nothing) Daniel S. (Daniel S.) Jason H.(Jokey Smurf) Diana (ArmyRN) Price: $6.39 Age: 3 Months Release Date: July 2018 Contributed by: Southern Draw Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 89
“The cigar is a very well rolled torpedo. The tip of the cigar was perfect. My eyes might have been deceiving me but I could swear the wrapper looked like a subtle barber pole. Overall this is a sharp looking cigar.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Aroma: 88
“Grassy notes and hints of hay from the foot. Like a barn full of fresh hay in my opinion. ” –Guest (KevinJ)
Flavor: 90 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“First draw of this cigar gave me the same hints of hay and grass I got from the foot. Retrohale has white pepper and hay. Not overpowering on the retro. Nice start to the cigar. None of those in your face flavors, just a that mild hay with some baking spices thrown in for good effect. So far so good. Solid burn line for the first third with only one touch up. ” –Guest (KevinJ)
“The first puffs of this sample are surprisingly mild given the extraordinary aroma from this cigar. On the palate I’m really getting very little in the way of flavors, with the predominant flavor being a nutty creaminess…maybe cashew. Through the nose the flavors are more like what the aroma promised…a bit of sweet pepper and baking spices and just a hint of a black pepper burn. I’m actually getting much more through the nose than I am on the palate…interesting.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Flavor: 90 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“The cigar didn’t progress a ton for me but I wasn’t disappointed by that. I really enjoyed the toasty tobacoo mixed with the hints of caramel and a pinch of cinnamon that was very pleasant and relaxing. The cedar has retreated mostly at this point and I’m actually happy it did so that I can zone in on the baking spice notes of this cigar.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
“As I getting into the middle third there is some sweetness coming through with just a little chocolate. This cigar has a lot complexity to it, and I cannot identify a specific flavor.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Final Third
Flavor: 91 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“The final third brought back the peppercorn notes that were absent after the first third. The dry cake texture became creamy. Still the main flavor was musty leather, though the peppercorns became more assertive. ” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“As I am getting into the middle third there is some sweetness coming through with just a little chocolate. This cigar has a lot complexity to it, and I cannot identify a specific flavor. The one I know is that it tastes pretty good” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 90
“Perfect draw. Not too loose and never had an issue with a tight draw throughout. ” –Guest (KevinJ)
Burn: 91
“The burn performed just fine from start of finish. The ash buildup was quite strong.” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
Construction: 91
“The ash held well and the cap also maintained it’s integrity throughout the smoking experience. Again, aside from some unwitnessed cracks toward the foot of the cigar, there were no issues with construction. Overall this was a good looking and well constructed stick.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
Overall Strength: Medium Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 89
“As a fan of heavier, more full bodied cigars, this was a nice change of pace for me on this cold winter day. Loved the citrus and oak notes I got from this, especially on the retrohale. Would I buy a box, probably not but its definitely worth a fiver. Enjoyable overall. ” –Guest (KevinJ)
“This was a solid cigar, no doubt about it. It smoked very nicely and I took it too the nub, even when I was thinking about how it wasn’t quite in my flavor profile. It finished very nicely and I might even have another!” –Isaac M. (The Nothing)
“Overall, none of the flavors were amazing but still what I would call tasty. The flavors were complex and had a lot of layers. The draw and construction were impeccable. I would like to give this one a try again.” –Daniel S. (Daniel S.)
“I was really excited to light this cigar based upon the overall aroma but unfortunately was very disappointed in the flavors as a whole. Based upon my sample this is not something that I would choose to spend time on again.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“I liked this cigar for the pleasant smoking experience it gave me. I didn’t find it overly complex or strong but it was a very nice middle of the road, tasty and solid cigar. The minor issue of a tight draw in the last third would not dissuade me from having this cigar again. The mix of toasty tobacco, caramel, cinnamon and cedar was very pleasant and I don’t believe the cigar needed to progress beyond that for me to thoroughly enjoy it.” –Diana (ArmyRN)
"As a fan of heavier, more full bodied cigars, this was a nice change of pace for me on this cold winter day. Loved the citrus and oak notes I got from this, especially on the retrohale. Would I buy a box, probably not but its definitely worth a fiver. Enjoyable overall. " -Guest (KevinJ)
