Southern Draw Kudzu?

Anyone hear or try these?

Met a head brewer (owner) of Solid Rock brewery at a beer festival and got to talking with him. Stopped in for an open house and at closing time he asked me to stay at which time the keys were opened and he asks if I like cigars and hands me one.

Very nice and made to compliment beer (I was drinking their IPA mostly which it seemed to do well with which was surprising, but maybe that's was due to the amount of beer that evening).

Really cool guys there! But that's another story...

I've never had one, but I have heard of them...

What was the opinion?

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Originally Posted by rodwha

What was the opinion?

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I haven't smoked one yet. My local store in Broken Arrow carries them. The gal recommended them, but I had my mind set on an Ashton VSG that day...

Gotcha.

As it turns out that brewery is now a vendor. I emailed him for prices and whatnot.

I thought it was great, but then I'm quite green... It wasn't too strong as many o the med-full's I've smoked have put me down for a nap. It was too tasty to be mild though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rodwha

Gotcha.

As it turns out that brewery is now a vendor. I emailed him for prices and whatnot.

I thought it was great, but then I'm quite green... It wasn't too strong as many o the med-full's I've smoked have put me down for a nap. It was too tasty to be mild though.

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I seen they were a retailer. I assume you were in Spicewood....

Their brewery is about 20 mins away.

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Originally Posted by rodwha

Their brewery is about 20 mins away.

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Not too bad a drive. For some reason I thought Lakeway was in the DFW area, but you're in the Austin area...

Yep. A bit more than a hop, skip, and jump.

A cigar built to stand up to these astronomical IBU IPAs. Now that would be something!

Let's see if this works...

Kudzu:

http://southerndrawcigars.com/our-cigars/kudzu-oscuro/

Poking around on their site shows they've designed all of their cigars to pair well with a variety of booze.

I'll have to keep that in mind and get a sampler with each.

Well, allow me to divert back on-topic to the ceegar! Yeah, I've had several of these, in my opinion, a top notch stick, but I actually like the Firethorn better! Southern Draw is a young start-up company, and the proprietors are the nicest folks in the world. But beyond that, they make a great cigar. They are beginning to get out to B&M's beyond their regional Texas area, but I've found that I prefer buying them on-line from one of the listed retailers. I use Dallas Discount Cigars. I consider firing up a Kudzu or Firethorn to be a special treat for a special moment...not gonna go into the yada yada yada of what they taste like, cuz I couldn't tell you if they tasted like barnyard hay or ballfield pepper! What I would recommend is that if one wants to try them, go to the website and order a sampler. When I did, in the same week I tried, for the first time, a Liga Privada #9 and a Padron 1926...to my palate, the Firethorn simply blew away the more expensive, legendary sticks! Yeh, the big boys were good cigars...the SD was better and for a third of the price.

FYI... I rarely comment on cigars made by other makers in regards to my personal dislikes vs likes except to them and then only if they ask, I feel it is inappropriate.

However given this discussion and YardDog's post, I would encourage people to sample the Kudzu over the Firethorn if you were just going to pick one to try as your first cigar from Southern Draw.

Cigars are very personal, and what one person likes another dislikes, I just think that the Kudzu is a far better stick from my limited sampling.

Obviously YardDog and I are 180 degrees out in our personal desired profiles. I am not saying he is wrong, only he can judge what he likes better. I do however honestly believe it is in Southern Draw's best interest that more consumers try the Kudzu as their first selection from this young company. Then I suggest you try the Firethorn and make your own determination.

BR,

STS

I figure I'll have to get a sampler to try them all.

WTH does every cigar is draw tested mean? They better not be selling precut slobbery stogies dude.

They dry them off before they and 'em out!

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Originally Posted by sparky426

WTH does every cigar is draw tested mean? They better not be selling precut slobbery stogies dude.

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There's a machine to measure the resistance of air flow, hence draw tested.

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Originally Posted by Zeede

There's a machine to measure the resistance of air flow, hence draw tested.

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So they are precut

I think the cap goes on after.

Draw testing is done on just the bunches prior to the wrapper being place on the cigar - so no, they are not precut.

As to the actual value of using draw testers, this is one of those ceaseless arguments among cigar makers.

On the plus side, when calibrated and properly maintained they work well and can be quite useful.

On the negative side, they tend to be rather fickle and are seldom properly calibrated or maintained making their readings of little value. Also they tend to get small pieces of tobacco lodged in them that skews the readings.

However some cigar makers argue that even if the machines are not working well, just having the buncheros see that all their bunches are being tested has a positive impact on their overall work product.

Personally I am not anti-draw tester, however I do not subscribe to their use myself.

BR,

STS

This thread had me look up the cigars and found out there is another shop here in wichita that i didnt know was here..so..


Thanks!!



The Troll

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Originally Posted by rodwha

I figure I'll have to get a sampler to try them all.

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Would definitely agree with this...putting in mind ssaka's comments, it would be the best way to figger out which one would be best for you!