Got my box of Undercrown Gran Toro's on Saturday:
Smoked one on Sunday afternoon, enjoying the remaining good weather here in the Pacific Northwest. I have really enjoyed both the Liga Privada #9 and the T52 so I was very anxious to try these. Lots of chatter on these, here are some of my first thoughts:
- The wrapper on these has a really unusual aroma to it. Maybe just a hint of clove in the background? No, these are not infused smokes, but the wrapper is very different than the usual Fuente / Pepin / Padron aromas that I'm used to.
- Pre-light aroma and tastes were subtle, but nicely unique. Hard to pin down....have to get out the flavor wheel and think about it a bit.
- The construction was flawless. Draw was spot on, burned like a champ.
- I would describe this as a mild to strong cigar, somewhere in the middle. Perhaps not a strong as an LP#9.... certainly not as strong as a Padron Family Reserve #45, for example.
- The flavor was nicely unique; have to think that one over a bit. What I can say is that it is certainly NOT like the Padron chocolate / coffee notes I get from those great smokes, nor is it like the pepper / white pepper taste you get from many of the Pepin / Tatuaje smokes. It was....different. In a very nice way. Very unique....very nice.
I'm going to have another tonight and try to elucidate my thoughts better. What more can I say other than I think Drew Estate hit this one out of the park. Easy to recommend buying one and finding out for yourself what you think....it is really a good one....
Cheers, guys - N.F.H.