Blind Cigar Review: Southern Draw | Jacobs Ladder Brimstone Un Presidente

Cigar Info – Southern Draw Jacobs Ladder Brimstone Un Presidente

Southern Draw Jacobs Ladder has been around since 2016. A few years later in 2019, Robert Holt added a new size to the line called “Brimstone.” This new size also featured a stronger blend with the additional of another ligero leaf, making it an even stronger incarnation of the company’s strongest cigar. In October of 2020, the company added two new size to using the more strong Brimstone blend: Oblivion and Un Presidente. Oblivion was a 5.0×58 Perfecto shop exclusive for Cigar Federation. The Un Presidente is unique in its size, a traditional Gran Corona measuring 9 x 48.

The bend for Brimstone starts with a USA Pennsylvania Broadleaf maduro wrapper and binder, paired with Nicaraguan ligero fillers. They are rolled like all other Southern Draw cigars at AJ Fernandez Cigar Co. Un Presidente is a regular production cigar that will come out in four annual releases of 16,000 cigars. Each Un cigar comes in its own coffin which are then in wooden trays. The cigars were aged for 10 months before being shipped. Each cigar costs $15.00 MSRP.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Gran Corona
Length: 9″
Ring Gauge: 48
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: USA Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder: USA Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaragua & Dominican Republic
Factory: AJ Fernandez Cigars de Nicaragua S.A.
Blender: Robert Holt
Number of reviewers: 5 – Quinn (quinnpins269) Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard) Lauren S. (Lauren S.) Ryan H. (Ryan H.) Randy B. (randobush)
Price: $15.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: November 2020
Contributed by: Southern Draw Cigars

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 94

“Wow! This is a lot of cigars. Gorgeous Maduro wrapper on a solid 9-inch cigar. This is a huge wrapper leaf and it looks perfect. Slightly toothy with a closed foot I am excited to fire this one up.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Aroma: 88

“The first cold draw puffs had notes of leather and black pepper at the forefront with a small amount of hay/ barnyard.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

First Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“First puffs are very earthy with a nice bit of pepper on the retrohale. A slight cedar sweetness joins in as I get an inch or so in along with slight hints of dark chocolate. As I close in on the end of the first third this is a very savory cigar.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“Good draw, thick creamy smoke, retrohale is super smooth. You get the feeling you are going to enjoy this cigar, just being a couple of puffs in. Dried oak bark, baking spice, coffee, leather, cream, light milk chocolate cocoa powder. There’s a good savoriness on the palate that hangs on for a full finish.”-Randy B. (randobush)

Second Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Coming into the second third of this cigar the mineral notes had started to fade away. It was replaced with hints of dark chocolate. The black pepper continued its strength with each puff. Up to this point the ash had been holding quite well. I was tapping it off at about 1″. As it hit the bottom of the ashtray it held its shape.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

“Charred oak barrel note takes over the whole cigar. Cigar loses strength to light-medium.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

Final Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium-Strong

Body/Complexity: Medium

“Savory smoked paprika, cream, toasted graham cracker crumbs, and salt, going into the final third. More baking spice coming in midway through the final third. Funny, in the final third, it’s still Robusto length. Solid until the end. Never got hot or bitter.” –Randy B. (randobush)

“There is a heavy spice flavor taking over in the final third which I am a big fan of. The savory meatiness remains along with occasional sweet puff of the dark chocolate and cedar and what seems to be some kind of fruit, perhaps fig. The strength has really kicked up into a full bodied and flavored smoke and could absolutely overwhelm you if not prepared for it.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Overall Impressions – Southern Draw Jacobs Ladder Brimstone Un Presidente

Draw: 93

“For a 9 inch cigar the draw was flawless and smoke output satisfying.” –Randy B. (randobush)

Burn: 93

“A pretty wobbly burn throughout the entire 2 and a half hours with a couple relights the last few inches. About what I expect for a Double Corona/Presidente size stick.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Construction: 93

“The construction was on point, their were no soft spots anywhere in the cigar. The roller laid a near-seamless wrapper on this cigar giving a nice curb appeal.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

Overall Strength: Medium-Strong
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Southern Draw Jacobs Ladder Brimstone Un Presidente Experience Overall: 91

“The first two-thirds of the cigar was very nice and pleasant. The heavy mineral notes during the first third were happily said goodbye to as they faded away coming into the second third. Unfortunately, the last third of this cigar is where the smoking experienced had some hiccups. Between the tar and bitter notes, it did not end on a high note for me. I would still consider trying the blend in a different vitola though.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

“Very enjoyable smoke, the combination of flavors was great. Would pair well with a latte. The creamy mouthfeel was great, and it’s a good long smoke with a kick at the end. Loved it.” –Joseph S. (Bearded Bastard)

“This is another cigar that hits my profile perfectly. A deep chocolatey Maduro with savory flavors and a lot of spice. The nicotine definitely picks up in the final third so you do have to watch out for that a bit, but as long as you are prepared this is a stellar blend. My only complaint is the fact it actually smoked faster than I expected at 2 and a half hours, and would not hold an ash for anything. I do admit I have a pretty good idea what this cigar is since Maduro Presidente cigars are pretty rare, but I have never had a chance to smoke it before.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“Buy yourself a 5 pack. Definitely an all-day smoke.” –Ryan H. (Ryan H.)

“I really enjoyed this cigar. Very relaxing and enjoyable smoke. Flavors combined for a good experience. Retrohale smoooooth all the way through. Transitions were nice while maintaining some solid consistency throughout. Appearance Draw Burn Construction Flavors all good marks overall.”-Randy B. (randobush)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 141

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Blind Cigar Review: Southern Draw | Jacob Ladder Brimstone Un Presidente