This is blend "F", that Jonathan Drew sent me, and it is the final blend of the cigar to be released.
A while back, I was fortunated enough to get my hands on a prototype of the now officially announced UnderCrown cigar by Drew Estate. I finally had the chance to put fire to this cigar, last night. And I've been given a green light to share my review. I tasted this cigar accompanied with ice water and a Schlafly Brewer's Choice: Bavarian Weissbier.
Here is the existing thread with info on the cigar: Drew Estate UnderCrown Cigar
Construction:
This appears to be the Gran Toro size, 6x52. This cigar is a densely packed, firm stick. It's got a great heft to it in the hand. When clipping the cap of this cigar, it was like cutting through a tree trunk! But it clipped cleanly! It was a rich, dark colored wrapper, with some toothy veins on the surface, with a silky, nearly oily, sheen.
Pre-light:
The foot aroma on this beauty was strong barnyard. A nose on the wrapper was reminiscent of the Liga Privada wrapper, with earthy notes with an almost faint mint-ness. Pre-light draw of a mild hay flavor.
Draw:
You would expect this dense, tightly rolled cigar would have a tight draw. But, as the surprise in the LP line, this cigar had the perfect amount of resistance!
Burn:
The burn remained razor sharp throughout the smoke, but begin to waver a bit and needed even need a couple of touchups in the final third of the cigar. This cigar put out thick, white clouds of smoke. The stunningly white ash held on strongly, only releasing when given a little assistance.
1st Third:
There was an initial black pepper spice, on the middle of the tongue… not too strong. It faded fairly soon. The smoke left a nice dry mouthfeel, with a thicker coating to the mouth. I got some leather, cocoa, and some strong tea-like notes. There was a little cedar in the finish, and still kind of a minty flavor. Initially, rich in flavor, and medium to full strength.
2nd Third:
The cigar started the second third a little more mellow. The flavors still kind of hung around the same as in the first third, with a little leather peeking in. The cigar became more creamy, and still provided a nice mouth feel.
Final Third:
In the final third of the UnderCrown, it seemed to show it's true character by becoming more full strength, but not harsh. There was a tiny return to the spice trying to come through, and espresso, leather, black tea notes making the standard. The creamy mouthfeel left and become more of a dry finish, again. The cigar needed a little help through the finale, in the way of touchups. I couldn't nub this cigar before it began to tell me it was done spending time with me, but I did try my best to get to the toothpick stage!
Conclusion:
I got this cigar in, around 2 hours. Liga's always seem to take a while for me to smoke... but I was also playing a fierce battle of Cribbage with my wife:
While not as complex, perhaps, as the regular Liga Privada line, I look forward to having more of these UnderCrowns. It was a great smoke, with rich flavors, around the medium-full, to full, strength range. I appreciate the great opportunity to try this cigar, and thank you to the powers that be, that passed it along to me.
A while back, I was fortunated enough to get my hands on a prototype of the now officially announced UnderCrown cigar by Drew Estate. I finally had the chance to put fire to this cigar, last night. And I've been given a green light to share my review. I tasted this cigar accompanied with ice water and a Schlafly Brewer's Choice: Bavarian Weissbier.
Here is the existing thread with info on the cigar: Drew Estate UnderCrown Cigar
Construction:
This appears to be the Gran Toro size, 6x52. This cigar is a densely packed, firm stick. It's got a great heft to it in the hand. When clipping the cap of this cigar, it was like cutting through a tree trunk! But it clipped cleanly! It was a rich, dark colored wrapper, with some toothy veins on the surface, with a silky, nearly oily, sheen.
Pre-light:
The foot aroma on this beauty was strong barnyard. A nose on the wrapper was reminiscent of the Liga Privada wrapper, with earthy notes with an almost faint mint-ness. Pre-light draw of a mild hay flavor.
Draw:
You would expect this dense, tightly rolled cigar would have a tight draw. But, as the surprise in the LP line, this cigar had the perfect amount of resistance!
Burn:
The burn remained razor sharp throughout the smoke, but begin to waver a bit and needed even need a couple of touchups in the final third of the cigar. This cigar put out thick, white clouds of smoke. The stunningly white ash held on strongly, only releasing when given a little assistance.
1st Third:
There was an initial black pepper spice, on the middle of the tongue… not too strong. It faded fairly soon. The smoke left a nice dry mouthfeel, with a thicker coating to the mouth. I got some leather, cocoa, and some strong tea-like notes. There was a little cedar in the finish, and still kind of a minty flavor. Initially, rich in flavor, and medium to full strength.
2nd Third:
The cigar started the second third a little more mellow. The flavors still kind of hung around the same as in the first third, with a little leather peeking in. The cigar became more creamy, and still provided a nice mouth feel.
Final Third:
In the final third of the UnderCrown, it seemed to show it's true character by becoming more full strength, but not harsh. There was a tiny return to the spice trying to come through, and espresso, leather, black tea notes making the standard. The creamy mouthfeel left and become more of a dry finish, again. The cigar needed a little help through the finale, in the way of touchups. I couldn't nub this cigar before it began to tell me it was done spending time with me, but I did try my best to get to the toothpick stage!
Conclusion:
I got this cigar in, around 2 hours. Liga's always seem to take a while for me to smoke... but I was also playing a fierce battle of Cribbage with my wife:
While not as complex, perhaps, as the regular Liga Privada line, I look forward to having more of these UnderCrowns. It was a great smoke, with rich flavors, around the medium-full, to full, strength range. I appreciate the great opportunity to try this cigar, and thank you to the powers that be, that passed it along to me.
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