Wrapper: Indonesian Besuki
Binder: Nicaraguan Habano
Filler: Nicaraguan
Vitola: 5 ½ x 54
Purchase Link: Southern Draw Cedrus
SOUTHERN DRAW CEDRUS REVIEW – CALIFORNIA
Summary: This cigar starts with oak and black pepper on the retro hale. There are some deep floral notes, but I’m really hoping the sweetness ramps up. On a positive note, the burn is razor sharp.
I’m starting the second third and the ash just fell. Nice. The mouthfeel is kind of funky, like when you eat an aged cheese (maybe that’s not the right way to say it).
No changes in the final third. If the price is right, the construction makes this one a good golf course or driving-with-the-top-down stick.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Going in for the hug but remembering social distancing guidelines.
Pairing Suggestion: Rum.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
SOUTHERN DRAW CEDRUS REVIEW – WISCONSIN
Summary: This cigar brought lots of earth and cocoa flavors to the table, with additional notes of leather, pepper, chocolate, a dry woodiness, coffee, clove, and raisin. For most of the cigar, it left a dryness in my mouth and more bitterness than I'd prefer. Occasionally this was overtaken by a sweetness that amped up my enjoyment of the cigar significantly.
The construction on this box-pressed smoke was mostly good. The burn went crooked with some frequency, but usually evened out well enough. It did require a couple of touch-ups to keep burning well.
Overall, there were flashes of absolute greatness that matched my palate perfectly. Then there was the rest of the cigar, which just wasn't for me. Different smokes for different folks.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Earth Day.
Pairing Suggestion: Bourbon.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single.
SOUTHERN DRAW CEDRUS REVIEW – OREGON
Summary: Box-pressed and beautiful... let’s see if its personality matches the looks. Right out of the gate, hot cocoa and oak with a lingering leather finish. This cigar is light in the hand and offers billowing smoke. Retro hale smoke is smooth and features the same profile notes but with a healthy dose of white pepper spice.
Midway through and the flavors have become a bit muted, but they’re still enjoyable. Lots of cocoa, mild tobacco and mild wood notes and an occasional hint of sweetness as well. The cocoa is really hanging on my palate and it’s super nice. The retro hale is a bit...salty now? Not bad, but definitely has a salty finish... zero pepper.
Finishing off with stronger tobacco notes mixed with black coffee, oak, baking chocolate and a hint of baking spices as well. This cigar was A+ in the construction area and put out great smoke front to finish.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Surprise visits from smoking buddies.
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee with cream in the morning or a gin and tonic in the evening.
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: 5-pack.
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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