Southern Draw showed off their latest line at 2018 IPCPR Cedrus The Hogan. This is the fifth core line of Southern Draw. Cedrus took 5 years to come to be and the first vitola released is The Hogan, a 5.5″ x 52 box-pressed belicoso. It comes in numbed boxes of 10.
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 name Cedrus comes from Cedrus libani or Lebanese Cedar trees that were highly desirable in ancient woodworking.The wood known for its firm core and pleasant scent was used building materials in Holy temples, palaces and even sailing vessels. Cedar wood today is imporrant to the cigar world as it is used in many humidors. The huge Western Red Cedar trees are known as “the Hogan” and are native to the Pacific United States. They grow up to 200’ tall and live up to 1,000 years. The Name also pays tribute to friends of Robert Holt Phil and Shelly Hogan whose support for Southern Draw Cigars goes back to 2014. Production for the Cedrus The Hogan is 5,000 numbered 10-count boxes and 1,000 10-count refill bundles for total of 60,000 cigars.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Belicoso
Length: 5.5″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Besuki TBN – Sumatra
Binder: Habano 2000- Esteli
Filler: Piloto Cubano (Dominican), Criollo 98 (Esteli), Habana 92 (Quilali), Corojo 99 (Jalapa)
Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez
Blender: Robert Holt
Number of reviewers: 4 – Alan(Eulogy) Adam B.(Bushboy) Eric (smalls29) Derek (StogieNinja)
Price: $11.99
Age: 6 Months
Release Date: July 2018
Contributed by: Southern Draw Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 88
“Slightly shiny dark brown maduro looking wrapper. Torpedo shape with an ever so slight box press. Probably not much bigger than a 5 1/2 inches maybe a 52ring gauge. Very long pointed cap which is a little longer than most torpedoes I have smoked. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Aroma: 92
“Smells of cedar with a touch of coffee. A little bit of cinnamon and must from the foot.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
First Third
Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“There’s a very aggressive level of pepper in the first third that sits in the back of the throat. As the pepper settles after a moment a subtle, but rich, note of tobacco develops with a light cedar note. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“There is a nice flavor of oak and chocolate. A peppery after taste remains leaving a bit of a tingle on the palate. The after taste is nice in that it does not leave a bitter flavor but rather something like the after taste of a good glass of wine or coffee would leave behind.” –Eric (smalls29)
Second Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The level of pepper has back down a little bit. There’s still a very spicy red pepper on the draw but the other notes are allowed to breathe more this third. Notes of leather and cedar are more present this third. A heavy cream and dry cashew flavor has developed intermittently. Still a very spicy stick but far more enjoyable now. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Second third had a continuation of the flavors presented in the first third. Spice cabinet with cinnamon taking center stage, followed by a sweetness of coffee and earth. Superb white ash has hung on for an inch at a time before I knocked in an effort to save my pants. Savory sweetness typical of a maduro and an overall fantastic cigar so far. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Final Third
Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium
“Final third notes are a bit nutty, cashew with an underlying sweetness on the finish. Little bit molasses on the retrohale that burns the nose a touch due to the building strength. Construction of the cigar has been fantastic as the burn line has stayed even throughout. The cutline has not deteriorated whatsoever. Delicious cigar. ” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“No real surprises moving into the final third. It’s almost a sweet pipe tobacco, with a little bite and a little harshness. Nothing really stands out.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“Maybe the best aspect of the cigar, the draw was really great. Ample air flow without being too loose.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Burn: 92
“No negative thoughts on the burn . From first light this cigar never faltered from perfectly even. I really enjoyed the contrast between the white ash and the dark cigar wrapper.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
Construction: 91
“Overall decent construction with a great draw and decent combustion.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 89
“Very strong in pepper and strength for me. The other flavors were too muted due to the pepper and the smoke quality was a little thin for me also. It’s not a bad cigar but nothing sets it apart to make it worth trying again. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“I don’t generally reach for a maduro, however the cigar was fantastic. Superior construction and performance throughout led to a very enjoyable smoke. Flavors did not transition very much, however they were always pleasant and mouthwatering. If you are not a fan of maduros, you should pick a few of these up and decide for yourself.” –Adam B. (Bushboy)
“Wonderful. A nice taste. Chocolate after tastes. Sweet. No bitterness. This was a wonderful experience. I liked how the flavors did not out do each other. The after tastes we sweet and enjoyable, This is definitely one to have in the humidor.” –Eric (smalls29)
“I won’t be eagerly awaiting the reveal of this one, because I honestly don’t really care. It was just another maduro. I dislike the shape, and the flavor was generic and bland. I struggled to come up with flavor descriptions as yo ucan see, because there just wasn’t much to write about but mild tobacco and syrupy sweetness. There wasn’t anything terribly offensive about it, outside of a light harshness at times, but I wouldn’t waste time on one again.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 64
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Blind Cigar Review: Southern Draw | Cedrus The Hogan
Overall Score – 90 – Very Good
Blind Cigar Review: Southern Draw | Cedrus The Hogan
Summary
"I don’t generally reach for a maduro, however the cigar was fantastic. Superior construction and performance throughout led to a very enjoyable smoke. Flavors did not transition very much, however they were always pleasant and mouthwatering. If you are not a fan of maduros, you should pick a few of these up and decide for yourself." -Adam B. (Bushboy)
