Drew Estate Undercrown 10 Toro – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Drew Estate had an interesting way of showing off its new Undercrown 10th Anniversary line. It was actually first shipped unbanded as a mystery cigar as a part of their Freestyle Live event before the cigar was announced. We reviewed that cigar and event pack here. During the show it was revealed that the cigar was the Drew Estate Undercrown 10, a cigar celebrating the 10th anniversary of the original Undercrown. It joins the existing Maduro, Shade and Sun Grown lines.

The blend for Drew Estate Undercrown 10 uses a Mexican San Andres wrapper, Connecticut Broadleaf binder and Nicaraguan fillers. There are regular production sizes all in 20 count boxes: Toro (6 x 52) $12, Robusto (5 x 50) $11.75, Corona Viva (5 x 43) $10.50, and Corona Doble (7 x 50) $13.50. There is also a limited-edition “Factory Floor Edition” which is a 6 x 46 $13.60 lonsdale, but has not been released yet. This also come in a 20-count box and will also include a “tobacco leaf library,” meaning a sample of each individual leaf comprising the blend. There will also be an event only size, the Undercrown 10 Tuani Belicoso (6 x 52) only be available at event hosted by Pedro Gomez. This will be packaged in coffins of two similar to the Liga Privada “A” and Undercrown Manifesto.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés
Binder: USA Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaragua
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Blender: Willy Herrera
Number of reviewers: 4 – Sean F. (fullermaine) Kevin A. (Kevin A.) Matt Cade (CadeTNCC) Vance T. (Vance)
Price: $12.00
Age: 4 Months
Release Date: May 2021
Contributed by: Drew Estate

Initial Impressions

Appearance: 91

“Nice dark coffee wrapper with no blemishes or veins showing.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Aroma: 90

“The aroma coming from the foot is sweet and spicy. There are notes of molasses, chocolate, pepper, and natural tobacco from the foot. The wrapper itself has hints of earth, tobacco, and pepper. Prelight draw, which is just a little loose, simply has notes of earth, cacao, and tobacco with a hint of cedar in the background.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cap clips off easily and there’s a very bold sweetness detected on the cold draw. Upon setting the cigar on fire, a strong spicy black pepper note immediately makes itself known via the retrohale and it’s paired with draw flavors of hickory and bold leather. About an inch in, a mineral note joined with a sensation that’s reminiscent of pencil shavings joins that black pepper through the nose. Smoke output is copious to say the very least, beautiful dark gray smoke just pours off of this cigar. At the conclusion of the first third, the strength of black pepper begins to settle down a bit and a black dark roast coffee note begins to emerge on the draw.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

“The first few puffs of this cigar are pretty mellow with some saltiness and some sweetness. The notes of fresh ground coffee, pralines, cacao, and damp earth in the early stage of the cigar. The retrohale has a hint of leather, along with some mild black pepper and cardamom. The draw is a little loose but not overly so. It is easy to get a mouthful of the flavorful smoke, which there is quite a bit of coming from the foot. Burn is very good, with just a slight wobble to the burn line. The strength is medium at most, almost down to light/medium. The body is in the medium-full range, as the flavors are easily discernible and identifiable. ” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Second Third

Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“A little bit before the halfway mark and the flavors, which have been mostly uninteresting for me up to this point, start to transition. The breadiness from the first third along with the cinnamon is joined with a buttercream note which was greatly needed. The cigar continues to burn well, with a nice draw and loads of thick, white smoke. By the end of the third there’s a distinct shortbread note with milk chocolate and baking spices.” –Vance T. (Vance)

“All the previous flavors are vibing extremely well with each other now. The retrohale is still primarily black pepper (which has amped up once again) and warm mineral and they’re working in tandem beautifully, while the draw’s core flavors are now solely black coffee and hickory as the leather component has receded into the background quite a bit. I can’t stress enough just how much smoke this f’n cigar is putting out. The construction overall is great with a smooth draw and impressive burn. The beautiful stack-of-nickels ash finally drops around the halfway point.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

Final Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“A little bit of espresso, leather, and black pepper enter the profile early in the final third, putting an end to the sweetness. The cacao is this there, as is the earth, but that is all that I am able to detect that was present in the initial parts of the cigar. It has developed nicely and has a mildly spicy finish. The retrohale has fresh ground pepper and anise, with a hint of black tea on the finish. Quite a change from the beginning. ” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“This cigar would pair beautifully with a dry Cabernet but it’s before noon here in Central Texas so I guess I’ll play by society’s rules for once and stick to water… stupid society… The overall strength downshifts a bit at the beginning of the final third. Actually, everything has settled down a bit with all of the previous flavors remaining present but slightly less pronounced. Everything (black pepper, mineral, coffee, and hickory) all congeal into a less discernible yet very harmonious, highly enjoyable finale. ” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

Overall Impressions

Draw: 90

“The draw was consistent throughout with no issues.” –Vance T. (Vance)

Burn: 90

“Burned extremely well start to finish” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

Construction: 93

“The overall construction of the cigar was great throughout the entire smoking experience with a smooth draw, straight burn line, and copious smoke production.” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 92

“Tough draw that got better towards the end. Burnt notes of hickory and toast with hints of spice, bitter tea, and dirt. Not cigar I’d want in my humidor.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“This was a very enjoyable smoke. There were no issues with burn and draw and the heavy smoke output allowed the medium body to really deliver the flavors to the palate. The strength almost got up to med/full at the end, but for all accounts, this is a medium-strength cigar, with med/full body and almost full complexity, as it transitioned very well from start to finish and was almost like smoking a different cigar in each third. This is how I like a cigar to perform, finish even better than it started. My only complaint is the burn rate. It smoked fast for a toro and I wasn’t ready for it to be over! Can’t wait to find out what this is.” –Kevin A. (Kevin A.)

“Any cigar that reminds me this much of my beloved Liga Privada No. 9 is going to score very well with yours truly. Rich bold flavors of coffee and hickory saddled up with a delightful retrohale that delivers both black pepper strength and warm mineral in equal doses… when you add in great construction and beautiful copious smoke pouring out of both the foot and head of the cigar constantly throughout the entire smoking experience, well we have a definite winner on our hands. Highly recommended!” –Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)

“This cigar didn’t blow me away but got better as it went. There were no offensive flavors but there were times, especially early on, where it was mostly flat. The midway point was the highlight for me with notes of milk chocolate, shortbread, and baking spice. Depending on the price I could see myself smoking this again but don’t think I’d seek it out. ” –Vance T. (Vance)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 81

To view the complete scores and notes, click here.

Drew Estate Undercrown 10 Toro – Blind Cigar Review