Drew Estate Natural Root

We truly dig the innovative experimentation behind the Natural line by Drew Estate. Handmade in Esteli, Nicaragua, each size of the Natural line is a different blend, each offering very distinct flavor profiles. With a veritable cornucopia of different gourmet long-leaf tobaccos from such varied sources as Syria, Haiti, Honduras, Turkey, Italy, Dominican Republic, and St. James Parish in Louisiana, each member of the line is truly unique. This month we’re featuring “Root,” an interesting smoke from start to finish. Intriguing in terms of looks (check out the exposed binder and long leaf filler protruding from the foot), it also has an exceptional draw, and flavor that is jam packed with robust notes of chocolate (much like a mocha cappuccino), leather, and earth. The finish is lengthy with some herbal flourishes that nicely balance the sweeter elements in the flavor. Try this cigar with something simple, such as water, so you don’t miss out on the rich flavor profile.

The Nicaraguan cigar industry originated when Cuban cigar makers escaped the revolution and re-established their livelihood in Nicaragua with Cuban-seed tobacco. Blessed with dark, rich soil, their new home was ideal for tobacco cultivation and Nicaragua quickly became known for cigars that rivaled Cuban quality. Unfortunately, revolution and war came to Nicaragua in the 1980s and devastated the industry, but it’s rebounded dramatically and is once again producing tobacco considered by many to be the finest in the world.

The Esteli Valley is in many ways the heart of Nicaraguan production and is known for its very powerful and spicy tobacco. The Jalapa Valley produces arguably the finest tobacco in the country: somewhat sweeter and less intense than Esteli, but extremely complex. The tobacco of the Condega Valley is often described as a blend of the other two regions.