Gran Toro, 6" x 52 ring gauge / $7.95, MSRP
I'm was excited to get this sample of the Undercrown from the owner of my regular shop, Amar. This was one of the cigars Drew Estate released at the 2011 IPCPR show. It is comprised of a filler of Select Brazilian Mata Fina and Nicaraguan Cuban Seed, a binder of T52 Connecticut River Valley Stalk Cut & Cured Habano. all covered in a wrapper of Otapan Negro Último Corte. It comes in five sizes ranging from a 5"x50 robusto, a 6"x52 belicoso, a 7"x54 corona doble, a 6"x60 gordito and the 6"x52 gran toro I was able to smoke. They come packed in 25 count boxes and range in price from $7.45 to $9.95.
The first thing you notice about it is the color. Like the name says it is almost black in color. There is some lighter mottling to the wrapper but it doesn't detract from it at all. There is a good amount of oil to the wrapper along with a some medium veins. The band is a really cool wedgwood blue and gold in color. There is a picture of the lion on the front as well. When I gave the cigar a squeeze it felt very firm with no soft spots on it. The wrapper gave off a faint aroma of barnyard with chocolate and raisins coming from the foot. After clipping it and taking a cold draw on it I was rewarded with a fairly good draw and the slight taste of chocolate. I decided to enjoy this cigar with some Elijah Craig 12 year bourbon.
Soon after lighting it up I get a pretty good amount of spice with a bit of cocoa on the tongue. The cigar, like most other Ligas I've smoked, puts out a lot of resting smoke. After taking a few more puffs on it I was able to get some leather and earthy flavors. The burn was slightly uneven and the draw was pretty good. I would call it medium bodied and strength to start.
The second third saw the cigar continued on strong. The flavors were mainly of chocolate and cinnamon. The spice was still present as well. The draw was about the same, but I would like it to have been a little more free.
The final third was more of the same in the flavor department. It wasn't boring mind you. The one thing about this Liga is the band wasn't a pain in the rear end to get off.
I would probably classify this cigar as at the upper end of medium body and strength. It was a very enjoyable cigar. I would like to smoke another one or two to see how a more open draw effects it. With the reasonable price I can see it as an easy sell for anyone who likes Ligas or darker flavored cigars as long as they are able to handle a bit of strength.
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