Drew Estates Undercrown Grand Toro Review


Manufacturer: Drew Estates
Brand: Undercrown
Size: Grand Toro 6x52
Cost: $8.40
Rest Time: 4 Months
Burn Time: 2 Hours

Prelight: The Undercrown is a firm, densely packed cigar wrapped in a dark chocolate oily blanket. Prelight aroma is molasses, cedar and a musty tobacco. I punch the cap with my largest punch and off we go. Prelight draw is cedar and tobacco.

1st 3rd:

On first draw I get a bitter dark chocolate with a blast of black pepper on the middle of my tongue. The foot smoke is excessive causing my dog to get up and move away from me. Once the cigar settles down flavors of fresh roasted dark coffee, reminiscent of a Peet's French roast, and dark chocolate emerge with a light clean cedar & sweet tobacco finish. The UC leaves an oily feel and sweetness on my lips.

2nd 3rd:

The ash hold on for a little over an inch before I tap it. Leather has emerged to mix with the coffee and the chocolate flavor has become more distinct like a Dutch processed cocoa powder for baking. The body is medium with no strength at all and the clean finish is somewhat grassy in nature.

Final 3rd:

Same flavors remain and foot smoke continues to pour out. Cigar is getting a little hot and squishy as I get to the band, but the smoke is still flavorful. I'm getting a little strength now based on the sweat coming off my brow. Though it could just be the heat, it's 97 here today.

Summary:
The performance of the UC was good needing no relights and while the burn was not razor sharp it required no touch ups. Having just reviewed the LP#9, the UC was more to my liking perhaps due to the body and flavors, but I do prefer a medium bodied smoke. The rich chocolate and coffee flavors were the defining hallmarks of the UC. The flavors and clean finish of the UC could be a nice morning smoke pairing well with a good cup of joe, though I would probably go with a smaller vitola like the Corona Viva.










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