Undercrown Shade Review

Undercrown Shade
Made by: Drew Estate
Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Dominican/Nicaraguan
Filler: Dominican/Nicaraguan
Vitola: Belicoso (6 by 52)

Drew Estate release a cigar called the Undercrown several years ago that was an absolute hit. That cigar was created by the rollers in order to have a cigar that they could smoke and enjoy on the job without depleting the Liga Privada cigars coming out of production. Fast forward to today, this cigar is the work of the rollers and blenders coming together to create a Shade cigar to meet the quality of the cigars brother the “Undercrown.” Lets see what the new blend with a shade wrapper has to offer with an Undercrown Shade Review.

Prelight

Very even pack and only a few prominent veins. Barely visible seams and the cap looks flawless. The foot is releasing cedar and sweet hay with a light spice in the background. Perfect cut and just a bit of loose tobacco easily wiped away. The cigar has an extremely easy draw that reveals light sweet hay notes with a clean cedar on the finish. There does seem to be a very little bit of spice to the profile but it isn’t bold enough to be identified at this point.

1/3

Once lit it showed more complexity then I was expecting. I mix of wood notes in the front, a deeper oak being dominate. And the finish is a well balanced white pepper that leaves a tingle on the tongue. As the third progresses the white pepper rises and definitely leaves a tingling sensation on the tongue. Mild to medium body and no strength at all currently. As the first third comes to an end the oak and cedar are even with eachother on the front. The finish of white pepper has also picked up a subtle leather note. Medium smoke production and pretty light smoke.

2/3

Very nice complexity at this point, not a lot in the way of transitions but a very good and stable blend. There is a salty cashew note mixing in on the finish with the white pepper and leather now. It has appeared and disappeared over the last five minutes. It is starting to hold its ground in the profile though, above the pepper and leather on the finish, but after the balanced cedar and oak. Great complexity, solid cigar at this point, I just wish that the flavors were bolder. Still mild to medium, the body is rising very very slowly. As I reach the end of the second third the body is up to a medium and low strength. The finish is the main interest at the moment. The leather, salted cashew, and white pepper at battling for control, leather is up at the moment. The cedar and oak notes still dominate the front flavor.

3/3

At the start of the final third white pepper controls the finish and the front is still a balanced mix of cedar and oak. So it has reach a profile similar to the first third. Medium body and low strength, this is a satisfying mix of flavors for the last third. As I reached the nub the flavors did hold, white pepper rose slightly but this was definitely the sweet spot of this cigar.

Smoke Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Conclusion: 86

Good cigar, if you are a lighter smoker, this would be a consistent and attention grabbing cigar worth smoking at least once a week. Nice transitions the white pepper tingle was a great addition to the blend. I cigar worthy of the title “everyday smoke.” Much like the original Undercrown in that perspective. The rollers know how to make a cigar that they can smoke over and over again.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com