I know some of you enjoy cigars - share!

[drewkaree]

Here's one I haven't enjoyed in quite some time. This has easily had at least a year in my humidor, and being a Connecticut, it wasn't going to be a flavor bomb in the first place. It smokes almost too loose, which I attribute to the time, but this turned into one of the nicer smoking experiences I've had in a while.

Didn't require a single relight or touch up, still flavorful, nice and smooth, and the size turned out to be the perfect thing for me. I'm in the middle of calibrating some things with my 3D printer, and this allowed me plenty of leeway to tinker with that, come back, and pick this up again without any issues. I was digging through some smokes, and until I stumbled upon this one, I was going to be choosing between a Flor de Oliva or a Diesel that I'll try to show later on.

All in all, while Nubs tend to look like "short smokes", I promise that they're anything but - UNLESS - you hot-box it like you're smoking a cigarette. These really do relate closely to larger sized smokes around the same ring gauge. I think this one is a 4x54, which should be similar to a Robusto. The time on this was right around an hour+ and was a worthy smoke for the evening. For those who wish to try it, I'd wholeheartedly recommend this for a morning coffee smoke as well. Most Connecticuts do quite well in that setting, and this is no exception.

 

[sunbyrned]

I’ve enjoyed keeping up with your thread, Drewkaree. Thanks for getting this ball rolling. I’m getting ready for my daughter’s wedding in TN. where I’m in charge of the cigar bar. Thought I would try out these KY Fired Cured by Drew Estates as a nice gesture to her KY upbringing. I ordered the Fat Molly and when I took it out of the wrapper, I knew I made a mistake. It smelled like a campfire does the next morning. But, I lit it up anyway. Wow, was I surprised. It turned out to be a great cigar. Absolutely no maintenance, nice flavors, a very easy draw. Probably the best draw I’ve experienced. It is smokey but not ashy. My son thinks it’s best the cigar he’s had. I bought a five pack for $37. They’re still available. Read the reviews. They’re all basically saying what I’m saying. Worth a try.

https://www.cigarsinternational.com/p/drew-estate-muwat-kentucky-fire-cured-cigars/1479532/

 

[drewkaree]

I’ve enjoyed keeping up with your thread, Drewkaree. Thanks for getting this ball rolling. I’m getting ready for my daughter’s wedding in TN. where I’m in charge of the cigar bar. Thought I would try out these KY Fired Cured by Drew Estates as a nice gesture to her KY upbringing. I ordered the Fat Molly and when I took it out of the wrapper, I knew I made a mistake. It smelled like a campfire does the next morning. But, I lit it up anyway. Wow, was I surprised. It turned out to be a great cigar. Absolutely no maintenance, nice flavors, a very easy draw. Probably the best draw I’ve experienced. It is smokey but not ashy. My son thinks it’s best the cigar he’s had. I bought a five pack for $37. They’re still available. Read the reviews. They’re all basically saying what I’m saying. Worth a try.

https://www.cigarsinternational.com/p/drew-estate-muwat-kentucky-fire-cured-cigars/1479532/

I've had those when they first came out, and I could never overcome the "extra" smokiness, for some reason. That cigar is a perfect example of - different tastes for every palate". If YOU enjoy whatever it is, beer, cigar, food etc then that's really all that matters, and why it's worth at least a try. Kinda hard to know what you like without having something that you don't, and you develop a baseline and flavor profile to help guide you for future purchases.

Drew Estate is also an example of starting with a respected manufacturer, as even if you don't like everything they make, you get a feel for what the construction should be like, as well as some characteristics of how a cigar should burn, and the differences that can be found in different sizes and shapes as well.

The person I gave the rest of my KFC's to, had the same reaction as you did, which was a good feeling for me to know they would be enjoyed, and that, to me, is why I love seeing you guys and what you're finding out there.

I'd bet those KFC's would pair well with some Johnny Walker Double Black - something I very much enjoy. Go figure

 

[drewkaree]

Picked up a Liga Privada No. 9 and an Opus X Oro Oscuro. They were a little out of my usual price range, but the wife gave the go ahead. I’ll let you know what I think whenever I get to light them up.

See if your experience is similar to this guy. He's one of the OG's of cigar stuff, and does an excellent job with all of his reviews. Usually tons of pertinent information, easygoing conversational style, and pretty much to the point without dragging things on. From what I remember, seems to track, although I don't recall the spice/pepper. The billowing clouds of smoke is something I never really assigned to Drew Estate, but after hearing him say it, I can't say I disagree with that point.

 

[F.M.]

See if your experience is similar to this guy. He's one of the OG's of cigar stuff, and does an excellent job with all of his reviews. Usually tons of pertinent information, easygoing conversational style, and pretty much to the point without dragging things on. From what I remember, seems to track, although I don't recall the spice/pepper. The billowing clouds of smoke is something I never really assigned to Drew Estate, but after hearing him say it, I can't say I disagree with that point.

As soon as I make it thru the weekend, I’ll check out the video. Thanks.

 

[F.M.]

Propped my feet up by the fire pit last night and enjoyed an Aston ESG 5.25x52. Was a great smoke. Could definitely taste the flavors they claim to have. The cocoa came through nicely and just a hint of pepper that balanced pretty well with the Yellowstone Toasted I was drinking. Toward the end I did have a little trouble keeping it going, lot of re-lights. But overall a good experience.

 

[drewkaree]

Not sure if you had a plug in the end to cause you those relight issues. I find they're typically near the band area, for some reason. A PerfecDraw is the tool I'd recommend, but really, any poker will do. Another thing you can try is to lightly squeeze it while rolling it, if you find an area that feels hard as a rock, and break that area up somewhat, or at least get it to decompress. Lastly, if you've got a V-cutter, you can try doing 2 cuts, and make it a "cross" off sorts. That usually results in clouds of smoke for me if I do that from the start, but it's a bit weird to feel, and can go sideways in a hurry. Ashton's are well-made, so I'd think they could handle the double-V, but lesser quality construction would be something to take note of.