Cigar: Drew Estate Factory Smokes Sweet
Size: 7×50 (Churchill)
Wrapper: Habano
Binder: Indonesian
Filler: Indonesian
MSRP: $40.99 per bundle of 20 cigars from Cigars International
Continuing on with the coverage of the new bundles from Drew Estate is the Sweet. When I initially placed the order for the cigars, I didn’t think to consider that this cigar would be flavored (it was more of a “buffet ordering style” if you catch my meaning). It definitely caught me by surprise when I first lit one up. Flavored cigars are just not something I reach for much these days, although certain ones like the Java I will enjoy a handful of times of year. Like the maduro, I wanted to give the cigar a proper review, not only to see how it stands on its own but for also to see where I would rank the four new bundles.
No construction issues on the last of the twenty of Factory Smokes Sweet, although I did notice a slight dark spot on the wrapper which you can probably see yourself. The nose brought about cedar and slight cocoa notes while the cold draw gave the palette a strong dose of sweetness from the wrapper with faint hits of wood. I opted this time for a deep V cut from the guillotine to change things up. The draw was balanced and brought about the strong sweet flavors from the wrapper once again, coupled with wood and light pepper. I would characterize the strength of the cigar is around medium bodied, maybe even a shade underneath that if we were getting picky, so this isn’t going to share anyone away. Unlike other flavored cigars where all you taste is the flavoring, it is nicely balanced on the Sweet, sharing the experience with the other flavors. 13 minutes in was when I began noticing the sweetness fading a bit on the palette while more pepper arrived into the mix of flavors. Things more or stayed as they were for the next 30 minutes until the sweetness was quite faint on the palette while heavier wood and new leather notes pushed forward. The last 14 minutes of the cigar was nearly all wood to finish out at a comfortable medium bodied strength. Total smoking time on the Drew Estate Factory Smokes Sweet was 1:30.
Like the maduro before, the Sweet was a perfect citizen, giving me no problems throughout its examination. It was easy on the palette, well-balanced with a quick finish and complex enough to make the veteran smokers happy. All in all, I was quite pleased with this cigar.
By-The-Numbers
Pre-light: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
To recap the Drew Estate Factory Smokes Sweet:
- This is another hit for Drew Estate. It’s incredibly well-balanced for being a flavored cigar while adding modest complexity.
- The strength and flavors of this cigar make it suitable for all levels.
- Just over $2 a cigar. Absolutely.
- I have another bundle on backorder, if anyone is wondering if I would be buying these again. In terms of where this stands, it’s a toss up between this and the Maduro. And while I have not reviewed the others, I would put the Sun Grown next followed by the Shade. But overall, I have enjoyed all of these cigars.
Thank you so much for reading. I look forward to the next time I can share my thoughts with you.
