Drew Estate Nica Rustica
6*52 stick
-Black pepper and barnyard aroma on the prelight foot
-easy cut with an Xikar Xi3
-some loose tabacco rubbed away with finger
I have found this as a good way to judge a quality of cigar. The perfectly constructed cigars often have little to no loose tabacco after the cut.
So let's begin - 1/3
Medium body low strength at this point, smooth retro hale the barnyard is presents getting a bit of sweet cocoa.
About 10 minutes later still smooth I would say mild to medium body now with low strength still. Great calm smoke. But with a name containing "Nica" I was expecting more strength and more body. Burn is ok, looks like it will self correct just a little of kilter. Picking up a little pepper in the retrohale now. Hay and barnyard are still up. The faint sweet cocoa has subsided even more.
2/3
The ash fell off just as I would say the cigar has entered the second third. Strength is coming up at a medium and body followed also at a medium. Real clean retrohale, cocoa is back with a slight sweet note again. Finally overpowering the barnyard. Producing smoke like a chimney and good thick stuff.
Forward the end of the second the I am picking up a slight floral note followed by a nice campfire smoky taste. Strength is still at a medium. Body is about a medium as well. Complex smoke I can see why these are fairly popular. Smoke is actually a bit thinner currently.
And finally the last third 3/3
Smoke production is back up, strength coming to a medium-full and body remains at a medium. A little pepper came back on the retrohale and it's present on the palette as well now accompanied by a leather. I have to say this cigar has taken me around the spectrum in terms of flavors. Retaining interest. Clean finish initially, but pepper/leather stays in your mouth till the next draw.
And I think I'll end it there
I did have a cheerwine soda paired with this but I did not reach for it after the first third, the complexity of the cigar kept my attention.
Conclusion : 83
It was complex, I preferred the second third the most. Not my favorite cigar, but I would certainly keep one in the humidor. You have to want this much complexity to enjoy it. I would have preferred shifts that complimented eachother rather then shifting as significantly as they did. This is my opinion and everybody has their own, but I would justify this as a once every 2 months stick.
Smoke time 1 hour and 25 minutes
-Broadleaf
