Southern Draw came out the with Cedrus line at the 2018 IPCPR trade show. It had one size, The Hogan, a 5.5″ x 52 box-pressed belicoso that came in unique numbed boxes of 10. Cedrus was the fifth core line introduced by Southern Draw. Last year, Southern Draw announced several new sizes for the Cedrus including Robusto 5.5 x 54, Toro 6.0 x 52, and Gordo 6.5 x 60 box-pressed like the original. Along with the new sizes came simpler packaging for the boxes and in counts of 20. Earlier this year, Southern Draw announced a lancero version at TPE following the likes of Rose of Sharon Lancero, Jacobs Ladder Lancero, and Kudzu Lancero.
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 important to the cigar world as it is used in many humidors and sometimes wraps a cigar instead of cellophane. People also use cedar spills to light cigars. The blend for Cedrus uses a “late harvest” Besuki wrapper that was grown in the fertile soils of the Jember Region of Java, Habano 2000 binder from Esteli, Nicaragua, and the following fillers: Viso: Piloto Cubano from the Dominican Republic, Criollo 98 from Esteli, Nicaragua, Habana 92 Seco from Quilali, Nicaragua, and Corojo 99 Ligero from Jalapa, Nicaragua. Cedrus is rolled like all other Southern Draw cigars at Tabacalera AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. in Estelí in Nicaragua. Cedrus is a regular production cigar, but is made in smaller quantities.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro Length: 6″ 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 AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A. Blender: Robert Holt Number of reviewers: 5 – Sean F.(fullermaine) Alan(Eulogy) Kevin A.(Kevin A.) Matt Cade(CADE) Kevin J.(maninblack77) Price: $12.99 Age: 1 Year Release Date: August 2019 Contributed by: Southern Draw Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 92
“I don’t know why I’m a sucker for box presses but I am. This looks well made with soft edges, a velvety wrapper, and a fairly large double cap. Other than a few small gaps the seams are perfect with a fudge brownie colored wrapper. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 93
“The aroma I get from the foot and the wrapper is mainly a dry cocoa and tobacco note. Really not much else. Cold draw after I clipped the cap off is the same. Time to light up!” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Flavor: 93 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
“Wow! Right of the bat a blast of pepper and espresso hit the palate, with a solid pepper zing on the retrohale. Moving a little farther along things tame down and leather, earth, espresso, charred oak along with black liquorice hit the palate. The liquorice has a pretty long finish and is really obvious in the retrohale. Burn and draw are both exceptional, but the ash is soft, unceremoniously dropping into my lap a @ the 3/4″ mark” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
“The cold draw reveals an almost harsh grassiness but, thankfully, upon torching the foot that grassy element is nowhere to found. Instead, I’m treated to a medium black pepper spice on the retrohale and bold flavors of mesquite and dark roast coffee on the draw. Very quickly a buttery component enters the profile so, yeah, I’m digging that. Soon the woodsy flavor mutes that butteriness down considerably but it’s still there; however, I wish it would have stuck around full force much longer…” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“Notes of sweet tobacco and cedar sort of parry back and forth taking the lead in the profile. There’s still baking spice mixed in with a slightly subdued black pepper finish. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Now that buttery note is showing up through the nose as well, while it’s still just barely present under the surface on the draw (the butter just can’t compete with that prominent woodsiness). The dark coffee flavor is still hanging in there on the draw but you’ve really got to hunt for it. Construction has been solid from the start. Around the halfway mark a slight mineral note mixed with pencil shavings arises and it helps make that dominant mesquite slightly less dominant. And it makes the cigar more interesting as well…” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“The notes are still bouncing. Subtle notes of chocolate leads to notes of peanut.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
“This has been an enjoyable cigar and moving into the final third, the flavors are holding strong. The leather and earthiness from the first third are back, with the orange zest giving way to a chocolate brownie sweetness. The black liquorice has turned to more of a anise and is leaving a little bit of a bitter finish on the tongue, which while strong, is balanced nicely with the sweetness. At this point there is also an overall creaminess to the smoke, which makes all of the flavors smooth out and blend together nicely. Draw has opened up a little and is getting light, and the cigar is starting to get a little hot in the final inch and a half. ” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 94
“Just about the perfect amount of resistance I look for and there was a phenomenal smoke output. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Burn: 94
“Burned like a champ from start to finish. The ash was soft all the way through though. Had lap decorations at 3/4″ and also at 1/2″ in the final third” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
Construction: 93
“Construction was really exceptional from start to finish with a smooth draw, a very strong ash, and no burn issues whatsoever.” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“As a fan of a box pressed cigar, this is one I’d want in my humidor. Simple notes of tea, chocolate, black pepper, and peanut round this cigar out. No flaws, perfect burn, and great ash. Pick up a few when you have the chance.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)
“It’s not exactly dazzling in terms of transitions or array of flavors that are present but rather it’s simplicity. The profile is robust in what it does offer with an effortless experience and creamy smoke output. If you want a bold experience with just enough transition to keep it fresh this is a real winner. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“This one was a winner for sure and definitely something I will want to revisit when I find out what it is. It grabs your attention with a peppery/espresso blast and immediately tames down with tart and earthy flavors, finishing sweet and savory. The flavor transitions throughout the smoking experience. With strength in the med/full range from start to finish, I would say you should have a little experience under your belt before smoking it, or some food at the very least. Break out the nub tool, cause this one is good! ” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
I liked this cigar quite a bit. While I was initially worried about that strong mesquite woodsiness overpowering any other flavors that might come my way, the cigar managed – and managed well – to balance that with some other flavor notes that made this smoking experience one that I wouldn’t mind at all revisiting.” –Matt Cade (CADE)
“The flavors present were decent at best. Zero transitions from start to finish. Lots of dry cocoa and tobacco with the really bitter finish. Sadly I’d only give this an 83. Id try it again. Possible just a bad stick from a box. It happens from time to time. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
I liked this cigar quite a bit. While I was initially worried about that strong mesquite woodsiness overpowering any other flavors that might come my way, the cigar managed - and managed well - to balance that with some other flavor notes that made this smoking experience one that I wouldn’t mind at all revisiting." -Matt Cade (CADE)
