Dirty Rat by Drew Estate

01-23-2011, 05:42 PM

It’s nice to see the sun out and all the snow and ice gone, what a mess that was. The temperature gauge is reading 40F; however with the wind blowing like it is it feels much colder, the air is pretty dry with the humidity reading 27%. But, it’s decent enough on the back porch to put fire to a nice cigar. I picked out a Dirty Rat by Drew Estate, the first and only one of these I’ve had. The Connecticut Habano wrapper is dark and oily with a leather-like appearance. There’s noticeable tooth throughout with one prominent vein running the length and a nice pigtail, or rat tail on the cap. After punching, I test the draw and find a perfect resistance with a strong, rich tobacco taste coming through; spice is left on the lips as well.

After torching the foot, I take a number of quick puffs and have a difficult time getting smoke to come through, as if it is already tunneling. But, after letting the cigar rest and a decent amount of ash has formed, the smoke begins to flow, and flow in abundance. My first long draw brings a fairly powerful black pepper spice on the tongue with the strength and body both very full. Although there’s a lot of strength going on, I’m still able to taste strong earth and leather flavor with a hint of what seems like sweet cocoa.

Through the first third, the burn is sharp with a rather rugged looking medium to dark gray ash forming that holds until tapped off in the ashtray. I’d say somewhere around a half inch or so the strong spice begins to taper off a bit allowing me to really taste the dark, rich tobacco that has a lasting finish after exhaling slowly. The strength of the smoke is medium to full with the body full leaving a somewhat oily mouth feel.

Around halfway I again have a difficult time with getting smoke to come through and do a good bit of puffing and purging. After a bit, the cigar goes back to burning well and smoke flows through the perfect draw in abundance with a bluish white color. The spice is still there and right at medium with the strength medium as well. Flavors are rich and as previously described, but now I seem to be getting a slightly charred wood taste in the finish, which is actually pretty good. The finish is really good upon initial exhale, but doesn’t last as long as I would like.

I’m not sure the problem; however I continued to have a time keeping the cigar lit and smoke flowing well at certain intervals while going through the final third. I know that the wrapper is really thick on this thing, which may be burning slower than the binder filler. The burn did remain sharp with the ash becoming more compact and tooth noticeable. I found that the strength picked back up to a strong full with the spice kicking up a notch as well; the smoke has a thick body leaving the tongue feeling coated with slight oiliness. Flavors continue to be that of dark earth, leather, and cocoa with a hint of that charred wood taste left in the finish.

Other than the burn/draw issues, this was a really good smoke. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

muhren · 01-23-2011, 05:49 PM

I like the review. I REALLY dig the pics. Nice job.

M

01-23-2011, 05:53 PM

Another great review with awesome picks!

Ogre · 01-23-2011, 05:55 PM

Thanks for the review brother. Will have to find one to try.

zappaFREAK · 01-23-2011, 06:08 PM

Just a fantastic review!! I must say that those are the best pictures of a cigar I have ever seen. I particularly enjoyed the reducing cigar set. Thanks!!

CRIMPS · 01-23-2011, 06:09 PM

Great review! Even better compilation of photos! I have been wanting to try one of these.

chachee52 · 01-23-2011, 06:10 PM

That looks and sounds like a good cigar! I'll have to look for one next time I'm at a B&M.
Thanks

joeobx · 01-23-2011, 06:20 PM

Nice review.

kelmac07 · 01-23-2011, 06:21 PM

Love those pics...and nice review.

swh127 · 01-23-2011, 06:30 PM

Nice review, the pics are great.

Zeuceone · 01-23-2011, 07:32 PM

Great review, the picture structure is fantastic.

01-23-2011, 08:06 PM

Nice pics and good review!

JoeCool87TC · 01-23-2011, 09:11 PM

Great layout, pictures, and review. Thanks!

neoflex · 01-23-2011, 09:13 PM

Great review for a great stick, Nice Job!

elderboy02 · 01-23-2011, 10:11 PM

I always love your reviews. These are great smokes!

01-23-2011, 10:17 PM

Very nice review and pictures! Hopefully I can get back into cigar smoking and be able to tell enough of the subtle flavors to review. Right now I only taste the difference in maduro and natural lol.

Shemp Howard · 01-24-2011, 12:24 AM

Great reveiw. I have 1 of these on my short list. Really enjoyed all the pics. OUTSTANDING!

01-23-2011, 05:42 PM	#1
Kingantz Guest Posts: n/a	Dirty Rat by Drew Estate It’s nice to see the sun out and all the snow and ice gone, what a mess that was. The temperature gauge is reading 40F; however with the wind blowing like it is it feels much colder, the air is pretty dry with the humidity reading 27%. But, it’s decent enough on the back porch to put fire to a nice cigar. I picked out a Dirty Rat by Drew Estate, the first and only one of these I’ve had. The Connecticut Habano wrapper is dark and oily with a leather-like appearance. There’s noticeable tooth throughout with one prominent vein running the length and a nice pigtail, or rat tail on the cap. After punching, I test the draw and find a perfect resistance with a strong, rich tobacco taste coming through; spice is left on the lips as well. After torching the foot, I take a number of quick puffs and have a difficult time getting smoke to come through, as if it is already tunneling. But, after letting the cigar rest and a decent amount of ash has formed, the smoke begins to flow, and flow in abundance. My first long draw brings a fairly powerful black pepper spice on the tongue with the strength and body both very full. Although there’s a lot of strength going on, I’m still able to taste strong earth and leather flavor with a hint of what seems like sweet cocoa. Through the first third, the burn is sharp with a rather rugged looking medium to dark gray ash forming that holds until tapped off in the ashtray. I’d say somewhere around a half inch or so the strong spice begins to taper off a bit allowing me to really taste the dark, rich tobacco that has a lasting finish after exhaling slowly. The strength of the smoke is medium to full with the body full leaving a somewhat oily mouth feel. Around halfway I again have a difficult time with getting smoke to come through and do a good bit of puffing and purging. After a bit, the cigar goes back to burning well and smoke flows through the perfect draw in abundance with a bluish white color. The spice is still there and right at medium with the strength medium as well. Flavors are rich and as previously described, but now I seem to be getting a slightly charred wood taste in the finish, which is actually pretty good. The finish is really good upon initial exhale, but doesn’t last as long as I would like. I’m not sure the problem; however I continued to have a time keeping the cigar lit and smoke flowing well at certain intervals while going through the final third. I know that the wrapper is really thick on this thing, which may be burning slower than the binder filler. The burn did remain sharp with the ash becoming more compact and tooth noticeable. I found that the strength picked back up to a strong full with the spice kicking up a notch as well; the smoke has a thick body leaving the tongue feeling coated with slight oiliness. Flavors continue to be that of dark earth, leather, and cocoa with a hint of that charred wood taste left in the finish. Other than the burn/draw issues, this was a really good smoke. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

01-23-2011, 05:49 PM	#2
muhren The Cigar Artist Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Mike Location: Ohio Posts: 1,268 Trading: (43)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate I like the review. I REALLY dig the pics. Nice job. M __________________ Cigar Art available for sale: www.mikeuhren.com

01-23-2011, 05:53 PM	#3
jwillm Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Another great review with awesome picks!

01-23-2011, 05:55 PM	#4
Ogre **CENSORED** Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Larry Location: Central Florida Posts: 12,068 Trading: (46)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Thanks for the review brother. Will have to find one to try. __________________

01-23-2011, 06:08 PM	#5
zappaFREAK The Black Page Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Stephen Location: CT Posts: 349 Trading: (5)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Just a fantastic review!! I must say that those are the best pictures of a cigar I have ever seen. I particularly enjoyed the reducing cigar set. Thanks!! __________________ "Dumb all over, a little ugly on the side." FZ zappaFREAK

01-23-2011, 06:09 PM	#6
CRIMPS Benn/Seguin best friends Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: Zach Location: North Texas Posts: 1,520 Trading: (50)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Great review! Even better compilation of photos! I have been wanting to try one of these. __________________ I'm a Dallas Stars fan. So, yes, this is a confusing time for me.

01-23-2011, 06:10 PM	#7
chachee52 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Todd Location: Tyngsboro, MA Posts: 399 Trading: (2)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate That looks and sounds like a good cigar! I'll have to look for one next time I'm at a B&M. Thanks __________________

01-23-2011, 06:20 PM	#8
joeobx just playing in the storm Join Date: Oct 2009 First Name: Joe Location: Fredericksburg. VA VCM Country Posts: 1,117 Trading: (4)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Nice review. __________________ it's all fun and games till the flying monkeys show up

01-23-2011, 06:21 PM	#9
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Love those pics...and nice review. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

01-23-2011, 06:30 PM	#10
swh127 Still Watching My Back Join Date: Dec 2010 First Name: Scott Location: State College, PA Posts: 143 Trading: (3)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Nice review, the pics are great.

01-23-2011, 07:32 PM	#11
Zeuceone You're next Join Date: Dec 2010 First Name: G Location: SoCal Posts: 1,737 Trading: (16)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Great review, the picture structure is fantastic.

01-23-2011, 08:06 PM	#12
mpd340 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Nice pics and good review!

01-23-2011, 09:11 PM	#13
JoeCool87TC Relaxing in Paradise... Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: Joe Location: Beautiful Rural East Texas Posts: 186 Trading: (4)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Great layout, pictures, and review. Thanks!

01-23-2011, 09:13 PM	#14
neoflex I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Nov 2008 First Name: John Location: Monroe, NC Posts: 2,765 Trading: (32)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Great review for a great stick, Nice Job! __________________

01-23-2011, 10:11 PM	#15
elderboy02 Lets Go Buckeyes! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dan Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 12,509 Trading: (133)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate I always love your reviews. These are great smokes!

01-23-2011, 10:17 PM	#16
Tyler Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Very nice review and pictures! Hopefully I can get back into cigar smoking and be able to tell enough of the subtle flavors to review. Right now I only taste the difference in maduro and natural lol.

01-24-2011, 12:24 AM	#17
Shemp Howard Who's Your Baghdadi? Join Date: Aug 2010 First Name: Rick Location: Baghdad, Iraq Posts: 55 Trading: (0)	Re: Dirty Rat by Drew Estate Great reveiw. I have 1 of these on my short list. Really enjoyed all the pics. OUTSTANDING!