Drew Estate NDB (Natural Dirt Blend) Lancero, 7 x 44
Dave Said:
Dave Said:
It's hard to believe it is going on 10 years since I smoked my first cigar. I went through some phases in my cigar-smoking and one of my early loves was a newer brand (at the time) called "Natural" by Drew Estate, especially the "Dirt" vitola. Not only was this a favorite of mine, but it was the cigar I handed to a friend, who then re-handed it to another friend...who happened to be Keith Hollar. We got these "Dirt Lanceros" from Dave Lafferty, East Coast Regional Sales Manager for Drew Estate. Dave had them made special for himself and his West Coast counterpart, Fabian, and he was gracious enough to pass a pair on to me last month...one of which I again passed on to Keith. For this review, I have decided to focus more on the nostalgic aspects of coming back to one of my first loves and leave off the numerical review since you cannot buy this cigar anywhere and finding them in any fashion will be difficult.
The Dirt Lancero was a bit dry-looking right out of the cellophane, even though it had been resting in my humidor for about 3 weeks. Where many early Drew Estate Cigars were infused with flavors, the Natural is blended for flavors instead, using many strange and exotic varietals to get a surprising flavor profile. The wrapper had a coffee and cocoa powder aroma, while the foot had a strong dark chocolate aroma with some coffee mixed in as well. The smell of the unlit cigar was no nice, it could easily be enjoyed by anyone-of course, that does not mean they will like it the smoldering version, but...you cannot win everyone over. The cold draw was extremely nice with a mix of coffee and chocolate and a sweetened tip-almost a CafÇ Mocha in a cigar.
After lighting, I got a mix of coffee and natural tobacco flavors on the tongue and I realized I was not as enamored of the sweetened tip as I used to be. On the retrohale I got a darker coffee note and just a hint of pepper. It was about this time my wife commented, "That smells really good." So apparently, the lit cigar is appealing to non-smokers as well. Before the first third was over, I had a large canoe, which I seem to remember as a frequent part of the Dirt experience.
By the time the second third rolled around the burn line had settled down and the sweetness on the tip had worn away, leaving just the flavors of the blend to come through. I have to admit...I was really enjoying what for me was a very nostalgic taste. It was a mixture of unsweetened cocoa and creamy coffee right up front with just a bit of pepper spice on the finish.
That same flavor profile continued fairly evenly through the end and I found it very nice and enjoyable, although I couldn't see myself making this a daily cigar like I did 7 or 8 years ago. I will say, though, that if this cigar were available on a regular basis, I would pick up a few every now and then because it is something that appeals to me. The Dirt blend also continues to be one that I would highly recommend to newer smokers as it delivers lot of flavor in a medium-body and is fairly inoffensive to many non-smokers as well.
Keith Said:
As Dave mentioned above he was instrumental in getting me into cigar smoking. That Dirt he gave to a mutual friend, who gave it to me, was my very first cigar experience. That was over 7 years ago and I'm glad Dave introduced me to premium cigars! I'd also like to thank Dave Lafferty for the chance to smoke this cigar.
The wrapper on my sample wasn't dry looking although it wasn't oily either. There were some minor veins but nothing too noticeable. The cigar was fairly soft when I squeezed it, but I think it is normal for these cigars. Giving the wrapper of the cigar a smell I was able to detect aromas of chocolate and raisins, with raisin the main smell from the foot. After clipping and taking a cold draw on the cigar you are definitely able to tell it is a sweetened tip. I was able to taste chocolate and graham flavors with a good draw.
After lighting up I first tasted flavors of earth, raisins, chocolate and spice. I agree with Dave that the sweetened tip wasn't as enjoyable as it used to be. I also did have construction issues in the first third, but mine was a tunnel. I was able to smoke through it without needing to relight.
Progressing into the second third the burn did almost even out. The sweetness did go away for me as well. I was getting flavors of chocolate, ginger, earth, and leather. The draw was pretty much perfect and it produced a large volume of smoke. If the wind wasn't blowing as much as it was I would have enjoyed sitting in that aroma more, and not have to have dealt with the flaky ash blowing all over the table and me.
The flavors were pretty much the same as I finished off the cigar. I can agree with Dave in that I was enjoying it, it wasn't the same as it used to be. However I do agree that if they were offered I would definitely pick up a few to keep around to have with a cup of coffee or my wife to enjoy (the Dirt is one of her favorite cigars). I do recommend the Dirt to new smokers as well since it is medium bodied, and isn't flavored, but is slightly sweet and give the smoker a pleasant experience.
The Dirt Lancero was a bit dry-looking right out of the cellophane, even though it had been resting in my humidor for about 3 weeks. Where many early Drew Estate Cigars were infused with flavors, the Natural is blended for flavors instead, using many strange and exotic varietals to get a surprising flavor profile. The wrapper had a coffee and cocoa powder aroma, while the foot had a strong dark chocolate aroma with some coffee mixed in as well. The smell of the unlit cigar was no nice, it could easily be enjoyed by anyone-of course, that does not mean they will like it the smoldering version, but...you cannot win everyone over. The cold draw was extremely nice with a mix of coffee and chocolate and a sweetened tip-almost a CafÇ Mocha in a cigar.
After lighting, I got a mix of coffee and natural tobacco flavors on the tongue and I realized I was not as enamored of the sweetened tip as I used to be. On the retrohale I got a darker coffee note and just a hint of pepper. It was about this time my wife commented, "That smells really good." So apparently, the lit cigar is appealing to non-smokers as well. Before the first third was over, I had a large canoe, which I seem to remember as a frequent part of the Dirt experience.By the time the second third rolled around the burn line had settled down and the sweetness on the tip had worn away, leaving just the flavors of the blend to come through. I have to admit...I was really enjoying what for me was a very nostalgic taste. It was a mixture of unsweetened cocoa and creamy coffee right up front with just a bit of pepper spice on the finish.
That same flavor profile continued fairly evenly through the end and I found it very nice and enjoyable, although I couldn't see myself making this a daily cigar like I did 7 or 8 years ago. I will say, though, that if this cigar were available on a regular basis, I would pick up a few every now and then because it is something that appeals to me. The Dirt blend also continues to be one that I would highly recommend to newer smokers as it delivers lot of flavor in a medium-body and is fairly inoffensive to many non-smokers as well.
Keith Said:As Dave mentioned above he was instrumental in getting me into cigar smoking. That Dirt he gave to a mutual friend, who gave it to me, was my very first cigar experience. That was over 7 years ago and I'm glad Dave introduced me to premium cigars! I'd also like to thank Dave Lafferty for the chance to smoke this cigar.
The wrapper on my sample wasn't dry looking although it wasn't oily either. There were some minor veins but nothing too noticeable. The cigar was fairly soft when I squeezed it, but I think it is normal for these cigars. Giving the wrapper of the cigar a smell I was able to detect aromas of chocolate and raisins, with raisin the main smell from the foot. After clipping and taking a cold draw on the cigar you are definitely able to tell it is a sweetened tip. I was able to taste chocolate and graham flavors with a good draw.
After lighting up I first tasted flavors of earth, raisins, chocolate and spice. I agree with Dave that the sweetened tip wasn't as enjoyable as it used to be. I also did have construction issues in the first third, but mine was a tunnel. I was able to smoke through it without needing to relight.
Progressing into the second third the burn did almost even out. The sweetness did go away for me as well. I was getting flavors of chocolate, ginger, earth, and leather. The draw was pretty much perfect and it produced a large volume of smoke. If the wind wasn't blowing as much as it was I would have enjoyed sitting in that aroma more, and not have to have dealt with the flaky ash blowing all over the table and me.The flavors were pretty much the same as I finished off the cigar. I can agree with Dave in that I was enjoying it, it wasn't the same as it used to be. However I do agree that if they were offered I would definitely pick up a few to keep around to have with a cup of coffee or my wife to enjoy (the Dirt is one of her favorite cigars). I do recommend the Dirt to new smokers as well since it is medium bodied, and isn't flavored, but is slightly sweet and give the smoker a pleasant experience.
Agree, disagree or just want to share your "first smoke" experience? Leave a comment below...
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