 Tasting the best of Drew Estate’s mild . . . and wild blends!
Los Angeles, May 25 – Jonathan Drew entered the cigar scene way back in 1994, but burst into the consciousness of many smokers in 1999 with a brilliant ad campaign and a scented cigar called Acid.
Today, he’s still bursting, but with brilliant new cigars and with the respect of his fellow cigar makers and smokers across the country and increasingly, around the world. From his factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, he’s all inspiration and perspiration at the same time, creating new blends to satisfy an expanding clientele.
Just a maker of scented cigars? No longer. To see just how far he’s come, we tried six of his most popular blends – from among 18 in total! – to see what he’s offering to excite today’s cigar enthusiast. And we found a lot to be enthused about:
Acid:
[Nicaragua: available in 17 sizes]
This is Drew’s breakout line, introduced in 1999. Today, there are five different series within this line: Acid, Holistics, Remi, Juggernaut and a group of specialty items. We selected the Remi series for a trial as it has the largest number of shapes, six.
It’s full-bodied with a slightly peppery aroma and a sweet taste to start, followed by a long finish with just a slight tingle of spice.
The scented aspect of this blend is apparent, but not overwhelming as with some other brands of this style. The Remi, like all of the Acid group, is well made and draws very easily. It’s consistent with its sweetness and spice tones and easy to enjoy. Towards the end, the spiced finish tends toward a more peppery tone, but it’s never aggressive or off-putting. But the blend will leave its mark on you; it’s best to sip this cigar lest it take control!
The Acid Remi speaks for the entire line: this is not a brand to be afraid of or to keep from trying. It has plenty of devotees and there is every reason to think it will continue to add to that total in the future.
Overall grade: A-: Excellent.
Chateau Real:
[Nicaragua: available in 8 sizes]
“Everything thinks I only made flavored or scented cigars, so I wanted to make just a straight, traditional cigar.” That’s the sentiment behind Jonathan Drew’s Chateau Real line, introduced last year at the midsummer Retail Tobacco Dealers of America convention and trade show.
Let’s say this: Drew knows what he’s talking about. The Chateau Real was a revelation . . . and a pleasant one at that.
Those we tried showed a medium-to-full body with a toasty and spicy aroma. The core taste was rich and bright in caramelized tones, with a medium finish.
The smoothness of the taste and the even delivery, uninterrupted by even a pinch of spice, was relaxing and much to be admired. A hint of spice finally showed itself on the finish in the second half of the cigar but only added to its subtlety. At prices of $4.50 to $7.90 per cigar before local tobacco taxes, those who enjoy sweeter, smooth and easy-to-smoke cigars must place the Chateau Real on their must-try list.
Overall grade: A: Exceptional.
Isla del Sol:
[Nicaragua: available in 4 sizes]
This brand name has been used for other cigars in the past, but you won’t forget it once you try Drew’s version.
New for 2007, this is an all-Nicaraguan mixed-fill cigar with a sweetened wrapper that imposes itself on you as soon as you light it. But it’s never harsh or aggressive, although it provides a full-bodied smoking experience.
There’s a toasty aroma to this cigar and a medium finish that’s quite smooth, with a creamy core flavor that hides behind the sweetened taste. Well made, it burns easily and while this cigar will not appeal to everyone, it’s an excellent example of value in a handmade cigar aimed at those who would delight in smoking a Pixie Stick! At just $2.75 to $3.40 each, it’s accessible to almost anyone with a sweet tooth.
Overall grade: A-: Excellent.
La Vieja Habana – Cuban Corojo:
[Nicaragua: available in 6 sizes]
The La Vieja Habana line has been a wonder since its introduction in 1994 and it is – as we found out once again – one of the more remarkable cigars available today.
Now offered in four blends – Cuban Corojo, Connecticut Shade, Brazilian Maduro and African Cameroon – the La Vieja Habana series offers a stunning Art Deco band and an even more remarkable smoking experience at retail prices of just $2.25 to $3.63 per cigar!
The blue-banded Cuban Corojo line features an Ecuadorian-grown wrapper and although incorporating some medium filler, smokes easily and cleanly. There’s a spicy aroma and a light, pleasant caramelized taste with a medium finish.
It sails gently along, asking the smoker only to enjoy it. Straightforward, even simple, it is very much tranquility in the shape of a tube, only with a mild-to-medium bodied heft. Any value smoker must place this cigar on his or her list of brands to purchase by the box.
Overall grade: A-: Excellent.
La Vieja Habana – Brazilian Maduro:
[Nicaragua: available in 6 sizes]
This is the green-label edition of the La Vieja Habana line, featuring a Brazilian-grown maduro wrapper that makes it quite special.
Medium-to-full in body, this blend has a toasty aroma to it, is solidly made and a joy to hold in the hand. It exhibits a rich, delicious caramelized taste that is accented by the on-the-lips sweetness of the maduro wrapper.
This blend is smoothness itself that is delightfully balanced through the medium finish and its consistency in taste and draw mark it as another must-have at the preposterous suggested retail prices of $2.25 to $3.63 per cigar (before local tobacco taxes). You may wish to ask your tobacconist if there is a limit to the number of boxes you can buy because this is a seriously under-appreciated cigar in taste, balance and value
Overall grade: A: Exceptional.
Natural:
[Nicaragua: available in 13 sizes]
This is another smorgasbord-style brand from Drew, with five different blends available. Perhaps the most intriguing on the menu is the 12 Country Cuban Blend, which has the most shapes (five) of any blends in the line and the one we concentrated on.
You can figure out what style you’re smoking in this brand by looking at the second band at the foot of the cigar, which identifies the blend and helps protect the ragged end. The ones we tried lit easily and offered an even burn with a toasty aroma and a full-bodied flavor.
The 12 Country Cuban Blend showcased a rich, deep taste with sweet, caramelized elements but also a remarkable smoothness and a medium finish. Different from the other brands we tried in the depth of flavor, the draw was amazingly even with a slow burn that lengthened the smoking experience.
Its consistency in flavor, pace and flavor earn high marks from us. The standard sizes range from $3.45 to $7.55 in suggested retail prices, although the specialty sizes like the Egg or Medusa are more.
Overall grade: A: Exceptional.
In a short time, Jonathan Drew has become an acknowledged blender and is a master of packaging and promotion. But most important: his cigars are well made, taste good and are fairly priced. What’s not to like?
And for those looking for an everyday cigar that can provide a spectrum of tastes to keep you from becoming tired of a single brand, can we recommend four boxes of La Vieja Habana . . . one of each of the four marvelous blends! Your search for value and variety are over.
~ Rich Perelman
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