Drew Estate Herrera Estelí Miami The Raji – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Smoke Inn celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2021. To commemorate this occasion, Drew Estate and Smoke Inn's owner, Abe Dababneh, collaborated on a commemorative Herrera Estelí cigar honoring Abe's father and mentor, Raji Dababneh. The Drew Estate Herrera Estelí Miami The Raji comes in one viotla, a toro that measures 6 x 50. This limited-edition smoke is produced at the El Titan De Bronze factory in Little Havana owned by Drew Estate Master Blender Willy Herrera's family and where the regular line of Herrera Estelí Miami cigars are rolled.

The blend for Smoke Inn's 25th Anniversary Drew Estate Herrera Estelí Miami The Raji uses a Mexican San Andres wrapper, Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Each has an extra commemorative foot band and comes in 10-count boxes with the Smoke Inn logo. Raji's signature can be found at the bottom of every box. These cigars are still available and can be bought here.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: U.S.A.
Wrapper: Mexican San Andres
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic
Factory: El Titan de Bronze
Blender: Willy Herrera
Number of reviewers: 5 – Noah S. (Noah) Sean F. (fullermaine) Chris M. (Chris) Randy B. (randobush) Angel M. (Angel)
Price: $14.00
Age: 7 Months
Release Date: April 2022
Contributed by: Smoke Inn

Initial Impressions – Drew Estate Herrera Estelí Miami The Raji

Appearance: 91

“This is a well-rolled toro, deep brown with a nice even tooth on the wrapper. There are minimal small veins and a large double cap.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Aroma: 90

“On the wrapper, I pick up smells of cedar, aged tobacco, and Cocoa. On the foot, I pick up the same notes with the addition of vanilla and a slight bit of cinnamon.” –Angel M. (Angel)

First Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“A dry cocoa and soapy cedar mix-up top. A bold black pepper balanced by a smooth nuttiness coming in just beneath that. The boldness of the pepper drops to moderate around a half inch in, with cocoa gaining an earthy quality around the inch mark. Slight tunneling issue approaching the second third.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“The notes jump from a subtle note of sugary sweetness to black pepper spice.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Second Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Going into the second third, the flavors remain fairly the same with leather, cedar, and a slight bit of cinnamon, the cocoa is reminiscent of dark chocolate and the pepper tingle has diminished and is almost undetectable. The smoke still remains a little on the dry side, but all in all, remains a good cigar.” –Angel M. (Angel)

“Raisins and dry toast with a hint of cinnamon rolls into the picture during the second third. Retrohale still pleasing, and still has a sweet cayenne zing. The finish is still medium. Baking spice and milk chocolate cocoa powder round the flavors out, moving into the final third.” – Randy B. (randobush)

Final Third

Flavor: 92
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“Chicory flavors died off entering the final third and gave birth to a rich and creamy espresso. The cigar became spicy but not peppery which contrasted with the building creaminess that lingered long after each puff. The subtle sweetness of the retro turned spicy and woody which left my palate and nostrils tingling. As I smoked this cigar down to the nub, cocoa notes crept back in out of the background like dying breaths which capped off the complexity and enticed me to keep smoking until my fingers burned.” –Noah S. (Noah)

“In the final third things remain fairly the same with no major transitions. The only thing to note was that I felt the smoke became a little smoother toward the end and the black pepper was undetectable. Even though the cigar seems to me fairly one dimensional, it is not necessarily a bad thing as the flavors which were present are enjoyable and tasty.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Overall Impressions – Drew Estate Herrera Estelí Miami The Raji

Draw: 89

“Based on its firmness, I was sure that this cigar was going to have an unbearably tight draw. While the initial draw was a little tighter than I prefer, it loosened up slightly and did not require an abundance of effort to smoke.” –Noah S. (Noah)

Burn: 92

“Nice even burn from beginning to end.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Construction: 91

“As far as construction, I feel it was a good construction as everything held together well no cracks or flares. ” –Angel M. (Angel)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 93

“Smooth and perfectly balanced was the name of the game for this cigar from beginning to end. The transitions in flavor profiles were subtle yet plentiful enough to keep my palate engaged while the contrast of bitter and sweet complimented each other in such harmony that was not overly complex or obscure. Every puff was thoroughly enjoyable and even though it was almost a two-hour smoke, I didn't want it to end.” –Noah S. (Noah)

“A very nice simple cigar that was enjoyable. The notes bounced depending on which portion I was smoking. Notes of peanut, oak, sugar, black pepper, licorice, and coffee. Great construction and burn make me want another stick. A nice 90-minute or longer smoke.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“The notes on this one might have gotten a little muddled after the tunneling correction, but the start and finish were solid enough. Slightly generic profile, but is balanced well, and with sensible transitions. I'd give this another shot, in hopes that the issues I had with this sample weren't normal.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“I enjoyed sampling this cigar, I'm not sure I will be surprised when I find out what it is on the reveal. No spoilers here though. The flavors were good throughout, with just enough transitions to keep it interesting. Draw, burn, construction, flavors, smoke output, and retrohale were all solid!” –Randy B. (randobush)

“Overall, this was a good cigar, and although there were not any major flavor transitions the flavors which were present were good and well-balanced. The texture of the smoke was a little on the dry side but nothing to complain about, and towards the end, it seemed to smooth out a little more making for an overall enjoyable experience.” –Angel M. (Angel)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 93

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Drew Estate Herrera Estelí Miami The Raji – Blind Cigar Review