Here’s the situation: homemade iced coffee from Twin Engine Coffee, Amos Lee Radio on Pandora, this beautiful Shade from Drew Estate’s Undercrown series, and a small pour of Laphroaig Quarter Cask.
Smoked one of these the other day at my favorite local hangout, Governor’s Cigar & Pipe, and it was an interesting experience to say the least! Enjoyed it with Friday and Clinton, and when you + 2 can’t come to a conclusion on how to describe it, you know it’s a cigar you need to take home and burn a couple more times.
Background: Friday feels coconut husks from the Shade. Clinton draws cedary goodness and possibly something like toasted bread. Me? I’m getting an early morning walk in the woods – and that’s about as sure as I could get on my first smoke. I’m not a huge fan of connecticut wrappers in general, but this cigar made me think I could get into it. Around the halfway mark I tasted a distinctly grassy note – enjoyable, but I was solo on that account. Curious to see what the Undercrown Shade brings today.
Today’s prelight: a little sweetness, a little pepper, and the barest whisper of something deeper. Opted for the trusty punch cut again.
Initial puffs: lots of smoke, pepper on the retrohale, yet more earthy than woodsy this time around.
The earthy experience is starting to mellow out, and I’m about to try it with some Laphroaig . I think the buttery, smokey flavors would compliment this cigar nicely.
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Right about now I’m detecting the occasional cedar when drinking the coffee & cream, and an oaky note when drinking it black. Still haven’t ran into any coconut husks, but I’m on the lookout!
Just had my first ash mishap, user error, and the grass is back! The lawn tastes I’m speaking of are slightly reminiscent of the CroMagnon Fomorian, but in a sweeter finish. I’m really enjoying it, and the pepper is coming through stronger as it continues to burn.
Undercrown Shade and Laphroaig? That’s the magic! Buttery, creamy, cedary goodness comes out of the Shade emphatically with this pairing.
Alternating between earthy and woodsy, with the occasional grassy sweetness, this Undercrown Shade is really working for me. Traditionally, I’ve always assumed Connecticut wrappers to be a morning smoke. This Undercrown Shade is making me reconsider my assumptions. Mild-medium bodied, medium strength, great experience.
About an inch from the wrapper, and a sharp, nutty finish is dominating the experience.
Now that I’ve peeled the wrapper off, earth and nuts are about all that’s left. It’s mellowing out again, the pepper’s said sayonara, and it’s still chugging along without turning bitter on me. Heat? Only an issue on the last 2 inches or so.
A walk in the woods, from earth, to grass, to cedar, to oak, that’s what the Undercrown shade brings to mind for this guy. What about you?
Long lasting
Mild without being boring
Draw could be better
Dave West
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