Undercrown Shade in Gran Toro by Drew Estate Cigars

Drew Estate Cigars
Undercrown Shade in Gran Toro by Drew Estate Cigars

Vitola: Toro Extra
Length: 6.0
Gauge: 52

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Criollo 98, Nicaraguan Corojo & Criollo
Blender/Creator: Willy Herrera
Factory: La Gran Fabrica Drew Estate
Country: Nicaragua

Purchase Source: ThompsonCigar.com
Date Purchased: June 16, 2018
Price: $4.50
Date Smoked: December 12, 2021
Quantity: 5

12/12/2021
COVID-19 Day 630
Truth be told, I haven’t spent much time appreciating this Undercrown Shade in Gran Toro by Drew Estate Cigars. It has always been on my radar, but I’ve never made time to explore its wonders… That’s about to change!

Today I made another opportunity to enjoy this Aged cigar, this time indoors. I selected an “Aged” specimen that had been incubating for a couple of years (2019). My logic is that if this “Aged” version speaks to me, we’re on our way for more.

Once lit, dry smoke through a perfect draw delivers rich balanced creamy tobacco flavors of buttered toast, vanilla, nuts, some sweetness, and pepper spice on the retrohale… a great start!

I think this will be a great companion on my morning Cigar-Walks or when I want to just sit and relax without thinking too much. I probably won’t put this in the “Wow” column of cigars, but it is a very good smoke nonetheless… I will be enjoying many of these to come!

Until next time…
Stay Smoky
Stay Chill

08/16/2021
COVID-19 Day 510
Well, I determined that I’ve been ignoring this Drew Estate blend for too long, so it’s time to get reacquainted with this Undercrown Shade in Gran Toro by Drew Estate Cigars. It’s been over two years since I last blazed this cigar!

Once lit, smooth creamy smoke with dry cedar tobacco flavors along with just the correct amount of pepper spice on the retrohale come to me.

Starting the second third creamy milk chocolate, vanilla, and subtle caramel tobacco flavors join the party… The retrohale is giving me hints of leather along with the pepper spice zing on the retrohale.

Overall, a good smoking experience with this Undercrown Shade in Gran Toro by Drew Estate Cigars… I think this will be a great companion for my morning Cigar Walks!

Stay Smoky
Stay Chill

04/01/2019
Here’s another ignored cigar that I found in my “Drew Estate” TupperDor while I was putting away my latest gift of a Liga Privada No. 9, a gift from Rian Walker.

When I came back to the cigar hobby last February (2018), Drew Estate had a stellar reputation and they were just about all I heard about on video reviews and cigar forums. So, it wasn’t a surprise that the Drew Estate Undercrown Shade got noticed on my radar.

Last summer, I was spending quite a bit of time driving back and forth to the east side of Portland, Oregon so I was looking for cigars that I could smoke in my car with the “Sunroof” open, thus the #SunroofCigar hashtag.

So, this morning when I happened upon them again, I decided why not… a Perfect morning cigar… and I’m wasn’t disappointed.

Just looking at this beautiful Ecuadoran Connecticut wrapped cigar, I’m making an educated guess that creamy vanilla and sweet wood (cigar) will keep me company along with the signature Drew Estate billows of thick smoke.

Once lit, creamy mild chocolate, vanilla wafers, and nuts keep me company with the perfect compliment of pepper spice. #SakamotoHappy

Smooth thru-and-thru. What a very enjoyable cigar. I can’t say there were many transitions, but the flavors were well blended and smooth probably from their rest in the TupperDor for the last 10 months.

My revelation today is that I should pay more attention to these when I want something lighter or a change from my “normal” cigar adventures.

Stay Chill
Stay Smoky