Cigar Review: Drew Estate My Uzi Weighs A Ton +11

 +11, 5.5” x 52 ring gauge / MSRP $7.95
When last we really talked about the My Uzi Weighs a Ton project, it was when I did a short review of the Bait Fish vitola last May. That version of MUWAT made my “12 for 12” year-end list as well...simply fantastic flavor packed into a small stogie that doesn’t take all that long to enjoy. But I stand by the fact that the 60 ring gauge original MUWATs just don’t do much for me...as is the case with many large ring gauge cigars. Last summer, Drew Estate announced that the cigar would be available in a smaller size besides the Bait Fish, something called “+11.” My Uzi Goes To 11? I don’t know. But it did interest me because it meant that the ring gauge was going to be pared down to something more my speed...a 52 ring gauge. A little ironic that a 52 would have been considered a “large ring gauge” maybe 15 years ago; today it’s strictly middle-of-the-road. The MUWAT line is a collaborative effort between Drew Estate and their partner, Joya de Nicaragua...Jonathan Drew was responsible for blending, while JdN rolls the sticks. They use fillers from Brazil (Mata Fina Oscuro) and Nicaragua (Esteli Ligero, Jalapa Seco and Condega Viso), a Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro binder and a Mexican San Andres Negro wrapper leaf. This review is my first MUWAT of this vitola and it was purchased at Burns.

The packaging and presentation of the MUWAT lines continues to be unique and somewhat fun, if not the most attractive thing ever...not that it’s supposed to be the most attractive thing ever with it’s plain brown wrapper bundles and dull black and gray banding. The wrapper leaf was dark chocolate brown in color, oily and a little toothy with a few medium sized veins and just a bit of mottling. Putting to my nose, I smelled a strong earthy aroma, along with a bit of leather and wood. The foot had more earth, accompanied by sweeter chocolatey notes. On closer inspection, I noticed that the head was cracked from the tip to about halfway to the band. Because it was wrapped in cellophane, I hadn’t noticed this before purchase. It must have been dropped somewhere along the line, though the cello probably saved it from being totally ruined. I tested the draw and it appeared to be fine so I decided to proceed with this smoke rather than wait to buy another sample. I will take the crack into account if there are any construction issues that might be associated with it. The cold draw had flavors of cedar, earth and coffee bean.

The +11 lit evenly, if not quickly and delivered a blast of pepper spice to the nose on the first puff. On further puffing, I discovered cedar and cocoa powder flavors, along with a subtle sweetness. During the first few minutes, I did notice a slight deficiency in the draw resulting from the large crack, but it also didn’t seem like it would be a big flavor deterrent or much of a hassle...at least not until I needed to remove the band, at which point, the whole thing might come unraveled. I would have to wait and see. Body seemed to start out just over the medium point; flavor was full and “in your face” from the beginning, reminding me much more of the Bait Fish in that regard than of the original MUWAT.

Deep into the second third, I was really enjoying the MUWAT +11. It had plenty of earthiness, notes of coffee and cocoa powder, along with a muted pepper spice and hints of cinnamon. Construction was excellent. The crack was causing minor problems, but the burn line was still quite even, the draw was very good and the ash was solid.

As I smoked through the final third of the +11, I got sweeter dried fruit notes from time to time, as well as sour citrus notes which I recall having tasted in the original 60 ring gauge version of the MUWAT. It all worked well with the underlying earthiness and produced a nice complexity to the cigar. While I felt the body never got out of the medium range, the nicotine strength was a bit more than that; I felt a little hit, although not nearly at the top of the full range. I liked this a lot; not as much as the Bait Fish, mind you, but I would be inclined to purchase this again, while I wouldn’t do so for the 60 ring versions.

Body: 6/10
Strength: 7/10
Complexity: 7/10

AFP Scale
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10

Note: last time I was at Burns, they had these in stock. Give them a call at 423-855-5200 if you want to give them a try.